(HealthDay)—Low-vision (LV) rehabilitation is associated with improvement in several dimensions of visual function, according to a study published online April 12 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Kevin T. Stroupe, Ph.D., from the Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital in Hines, Ill., and colleagues conducted the Low Vision Intervention Trial (LOVIT) II from Sept. 27, 2010, to July 31, 2014, at nine VA facilities. The study included 323 veterans with macular diseases and a best-corrected distance visual acuity of 20/50 to 20/200. Veterans were randomized to receive basic LV services that provided LV devices (160 participants) or LV rehabilitation (LV services + a therapist; 163 participants).
The researchers found that the mean total direct health care costs per patient were similar for the two groups ($1,662 for basic LV services versus $1,788 for LV rehabilitation; P = 0.15), although basic LV services required less time and had lower transportation costs. There were greater improvements in overall visual ability, reading ability, visual information processing, and visual motor skill scores for patients receiving LV rehabilitation.
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