Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To characterize the population attending a low vision referral clinic in Jerusalem, Israel, from 1976 through 1999. Methods: The Michaelson Institute is the largest low vision clinic in Israel serving children and adolescents. The Institute has been operating since 1973, offering clinical examinations, diagnoses, rehabilitation services, treatment trials of low vision optical aids, psychosocial counseling and genetic counseling to children living in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. More than 2000 children 0-19 years of age have been referred to the low vision clinic since 1976. Data are computerized in the clinic registry and include patient demographics (date of birth, sex, residence), date of first and last visit, visual acuity, ocular diagnosis, and systemic diagnosis if applicable. Results: Over 2000 children are currently registered in the Institute database. Their age distribution at the time of the first visit is: 2% under one year, 21% 1-4 years, 30% 5-9 years, 25% 10-14 years, and 22% 15-19 years of age. More males (59%) than females (41%) have been seen at the clinic. The number of patients coming to the Institute has been increasing dramatically over the past 24 years, with 18% of the total seen in the first eight years, 35% in the next eight years, and 47% in the last eight years. The six major causes of visual impairment, in order of frequency, are hereditary pigmentary degeneration, albinism, optic atrophy, congenital cataract, hereditary macular dystrophies, and congenital anomalies of the eye (coloboma, microphthalmos, aniridia). Conclusions: Children referred to the low vision clinic in Israel have a vast array of diagnoses, ranging from mild refractive errors to rare genetic syndromes. These data are presented in detail, including patient demographics and changes in population characteristics over 24 years.
Keywords: 459 low vision • 354 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence