Need of optical aids for schools for blind students in Pune and Nasik districts and compliance of their use

Purpose: To assess the need for spectacles and low-vision aids (LVA) in students attending schools for the blind and study their compliance with use.Methods: Comprehensive ocular evaluation was performed using a hand-held slit lamp and ophthalmoscope. Vision acuity was measured using a logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) chart for distance, as well as for near. Spectacles and LVAs were dispensed after refraction and LVA trial. Follow-up was performed to assess the vision using the LV Prasad Functional Vision Questionnaire (LVP-FVQ) along with compliance with use after 6 months.Results: Of the 456 students examined from six schools, 188 (41.2%) were female; 147 (32.2%) were Conclusion: Although the dispensing of LVA and spectacles improved the visual acuity and vision function of 90/456 (19.7%) students, nearly a third were not using them after 6 months. Efforts need to be taken to improve the compliance of use.