A low-vision clinic at a home for the aged

The objective of a low-vision clinic developed at the Jewish Home and Hospital for Aged was to improve the visual capabilities of the residents who were not helped by the regular eye clinics. Eighty-three patients (72 women, 11 men) were examined the first year. Ages ranged from 71 to 101 years. The causes of poor vision were mainly senile macular degeneration, cataract formation, chronic glaucoma, severe myopia, aphakia, and combinations of these diseases. Vision ranged from 10/50 at 10 feet (20/100 at 20 feet) in the better eye, to only the ability to distinguish hand movements or to perceive light. With the use of visual aids such as distance or reading glasses and various forms of magnifying glasses, some improvement occurred in 61 of the 83 patients. The follow-up examination was within one year in most cases. It was concluded that in order to examine and treat such patients properly, much more time and patience were required than is usually possible in a regular eye clinic. This involved the help of more social workers and volunteer assistants. Nevertheless, the results were worthwhile for this type of patient.