LOW VISION RESEARCH INITIATIVE-UNN(LVRI-UNN)

MEMBERS:

–DR.ONOCHIE OKOYE(CO-ORDINATOR,OPHTHALMOLOGIST-low vision rehabilitation)

–DR.ADA AGHAJI(OPHTHALMOLOGIST-paediatric ophthalmology)

–DR IFEOMA EZEGWUI(OPHTHALMOLOGIST-paediatric ophthalmology)

–DR OBIEKWE OKOYE(OPHTHALMOLOGIST-retina/cataract)

-DR NGOZI OGUEGO(OPHTHALMOLOGIST-cataract)

–DR.NKECHI UCHE(OPHTHALMOLOGIST-glaucoma)

–DR.GILBERT ENECHI(OPTOMETRIST-low vision rehabilitation)

BACKGROUND: The hitherto underdeveloped component of eye care, low vision care, had since been identified along with a couple of other components as a priority area for intervention by the VISION 2020:THE RIGHT TO SIGHT   global initiative. In Nigeria ,like in many other developing countries, low vision services have traditionally suffered neglect in organized eyecare. Low vision care provides assistance to those persons who have residual vision ,through the use of optical and non-optical devices, training in the effective use of residual vision, and advice on environmental modificications. In Nigeria, the major impediments seemingly appear to be paucity of relevant data on low vision, shortage of trained low vision care personnel, lack of awareness, and limited access to low vision services/devices. With the completion of the National Blindness and Visual Impairment survey in Nigeria a couple of years ago, it is imperative that a comprehensive low vision service program be developed to fit into the existing health and social welfare infrastructural frameworks of the country.

THE OBJECTIVE OF THE RESEARCH GROUP: To conduct scientific enquiry into the causes,risk factors,types,consequences/implications(physical,functional,psychological),management/rehabilitation of low vision, as well as the models of service delivery in Nigeria.

RESEARCH THEMES: -Understanding Visual impairment and Blindness

-Screening an d testing techniques in low vision

– Assistive device technology and environmental modification measures

-Rehabilitation strategies

-Models of service delivery in Low vision care

-Access to low vision care

-Capacity building for low vision care

-Policy making in Low vision care

THE   CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS OF THE GROUP:

To determine the burden ,causes and management of low vision in the community

To determine the perspective of low vision patients on their expectations and preferences in low vision care

To investigate the quality of life implications of low vision patients in the community

To determine the special needs of paediatric and geriatric low vision persons in the community

To determine the public and policymakers ‘ awareness of low vision and low vision care

To examine and validate best clinical practices to optimize assessment, treatment and rehabilitative methods

To identify novel devices and methods for the treatment and integration of low vision persons into the community

To determine the most cost-effective low vision interventions in the community

To develop an appropriate model of low vision service delivery for the community

To develop capacity, infrastructure and programs for the multi-disciplinary components of vision rehabilitation service and research.