title: Perceived barriers to the provision of low vision services among ophthalmologists in India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify and report the perceived barriers to the provision of low vision services among ophthalmologists in India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy nine ophthalmologists responded to a structured self-administered questionnaire. Information was collected to understand the level of awareness and barriers/constraints to provision of low vision services. Significant factors associated with each barrier/constraint and perceptions on providing low vision care were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lack of training/knowledge [65 (82.3%)], lack of awareness [59 (74.7%)] and non-availability of low vision devices [57 (72.2%)] were perceived as the major constraints / barriers to providing low vision care. At least one significant factor was found for each of the above constraints/barriers in providing low vision care. The perception of lack of awareness as being one of the constraints/barriers was significantly higher [OR 3.97 (95% CI, 1.02 - 7.8)] among ophthalmologists from organisations providing low vision services. The perception of lack of motivation as constraint/barrier was significantly higher [OR 3.62 (95% CI, 1.3 - 10.3)] among ophthalmologists from organisations providing low vision services and/or those involved in VISION 2020: The Right to Sight programmes [OR 3.83 (95% CI, 1.4 - 10.4)]. The likelihood of responding that low vision care is time consuming was greater for those belonging to a teaching institute [OR 7.19 (95% CI, 2.0 - 26.1)], those involved in low vision services [OR 5.45 (95% CI, 1.8 - 16.5)] and those who knew that low vision is a priority in VISION 2020 [OR 15.1, 95% CI, 1.5 -155.4].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ophthalmologists need more education about the benefits of low vision care in order to increase their level of awareness and knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Vision Rehabilitation Centres, L V Prasad Eye Institute, L V Prasad Marg, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 500-034, India. sarfaraz@lvpei.org
authors.forename: Sarfaraz A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Br
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shamanna
authors.forename: Rishita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nuthethi
mesh_terms: D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D009885:Ophthalmology; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000628:therapy*