Functional outcome of the low vision aids for visual impairment secondary to central nervous system tumors in children

• Published in: International journal of ophthalmology Vol. 12; no. 10; pp. 1643 - 1648
• Main Author: Zaki, Rania GE
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Journal of Ophthalmology Press 18.10.2019; Press of International Journal of Ophthalmology (IJO PRESS)
• Subjects: Brief Report; central nervous system tumors; low vision aids; visual impairment
• ISSN: 2222-3959; 2227-4898
• DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2019.10.19

To assess functional outcomes of optical low vision aids (LVAs) for pediatric visual impairment due to central nervous system (CNS) tumors. A prospective case study was conducted on 15 children with history of CNS tumors with mean age of 10.47±1.85y. Lighthouse distance, near visual acuity tests, cycloplegic refraction, reading speed measurement and visual field examination were done. Prescription of far and near LVAs followed by training sessions. LVPrasad-functional vision questionnaire was done to evaluate performance. Visual impairment was moderate (13.3%), severe (73.3%), profound (6.7%) and near blindness in 6.7%. Telescopes prescribed in 33.4%, video magnifier in 46.7%. Questionnaire scores were significantly improved for distant rather than near tasks ( P ≤0.05) after training. LVAs rehabilitation is an effective method of improving vision in pediatric visual defects secondary to CNS tumors.