A retrospective study of causes of visual impairment and use of low vision devices in the low vision clinic in Trinidad and Tobago

PURPOSE: To determine the causes of visual impairment and the use of low vision devices in patients attending the low vision clinic in Trinidad and Tobago. METHODS: A retrospective study of the 222 patients attending the low vision clinic at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus was conducted. The presenting visual acuity, causes of low vision and blindness, and prescribed low vision devices were recorded and analysed to determine the major causes of visual impairment and improvement in visual acuity with low vision aids. RESULTS: Out of the total 222 participants, 66.66% (n = 148) had low vision while the rest (33.33%, n = 74) were legally blind. Glaucoma was the major cause of low vision (31.08%) and blindness (28.38%) followed by diabetic retinopathy (20.94%, low vision and 20.27%, blindness). A total of 193 low vision devices were prescribed, 79.79% (n = 154) near devices and 20.20% (n = 39) distance devices. The low vision devices were effective in improving both near visual acuity (120 participants reading 1M or 2M) and distance visual acuity (VA better than 3/60). CONCLUSION: The major causes of vision impairment in Trinidad and Tobago were glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy and low vision devices are effective in improving visual acuity. A comprehensive approach to dealing with the causes of low vision and low vision services are required to mitigate the burden of visual impairment in the country.