title: Comprehending the impact of low vision on the lives of children and adolescents: a qualitative approach.
abstract: To develop a comprehensive, conceptual model detailing the aspects of a child's life (<18 years) that are affected by low vision.
  
  
  
  Three stakeholders were involved in the developmental process of the conceptual model: children and adolescents with a visual impairment (n = 40), parents of children with a visual impairment (n = 25) and professionals of multidisciplinary rehabilitation centres and specialised schools (n = 25). Qualitative methods including focus groups, online and face-to-face brainstorming sessions and concept mapping were used to investigate the impact of visual impairment on the lives of children and adolescents and to create the conceptual model. To aid interpretation of the large age range, four age-bands were formed.
  
  
  
  For each age-band (0-2, 3-6, 7-12 and 13-17 years), a total of 153, 200, 297 and 306 statements were generated by all stakeholders, respectively. The conceptual models show that low vision affects the sensorial development as well as the physical, psychological and social well-being of children and adolescents. In addition, identified external factors (i.e. education/employment and parental influence) can either facilitate or hinder participation.
  
  
  
  The developed model shows which life aspects of children are affected by low vision. The needs identified by children and adolescents correspond not entirely to the perspective of parents and low vision professionals. Future research should focus on developing and validating a new questionnaire based on the conceptual model. This will aid goal setting, rehabilitation referral and the accomplishment of developmental milestones and life transitions of children and adolescents with a visual impairment, ultimately improving their participation and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rainey
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, VU University Medical Centre, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. e.elsman@vumc.nl.|VU University Medical Centre PK4X187, PO Box 7700, 1000 SN, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. e.elsman@vumc.nl.
authors.forename: Ellen Bernadette Maria
authors.initials: EBM
authors.lastname: Elsman
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, VU University Medical Centre, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ruth Marie Antoinette
authors.initials: RMA
authors.lastname: van Nispen
authors.affiliation: Section Audiology, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lisette Michelle
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: van Leeuwen
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, VU University Medical Centre, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.|Department of Ophthalmology, Elkerliek Hospital, Wesselmanlaan 25, 5707 HA, Helmond, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gerardus Hermanus Maria Bartholomeus
authors.initials: GHMB
authors.lastname: van Rens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D064702:International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000534:rehabilitation*
keywords: Adolescents; Children; Concept mapping; International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth; Visual impairment