title: Clinical Characteristics and Low Vision Rehabilitation Methods for Partially Sighted School-Age Children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the clinical features and the distribution of diagnosis in partially sighted school-age children, to report the chosen low vision rehabilitation methods and to emphasize the importance of low vision rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 150 partially sighted children between the ages of 6 and 18 years. The distribution of diagnosis, accompanying ocular findings, visual acuity of the children both for near and distance with and without low vision devices, and the methods of low vision rehabilitation (for distance and for near) were determined. The demographic characteristics of the children and the parental consanguinity were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of children was 10.6 years and the median age was 10 years; 88 (58.7%) of them were male and 62 (41.3%) of them were female. According to distribution of diagnoses among the children, the most frequent diagnosis was hereditary fundus dystrophies (36%) followed by cortical visual impairment (18%). The most frequently used rehabilitation methods were: telescopic lenses (91.3%) for distance vision; magnifiers (38.7%) and telemicroscopic systems (26.0%) for near vision. A significant improvement in visual acuity both for distance and near vision were determined with low vision aids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant improvement in visual acuity can be achieved both for distance and near vision with low vision rehabilitation in partially sighted school-age children. It is important for ophthalmologists and pediatricians to guide parents and children to low vision rehabilitation.
authors: Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Training and Research Hospital, Ophthalmology Clinic, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Zuhal
authors: Z
authors: Özen Tunay
authors: Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Deniz
authors: D
authors: Çalışkan
authors: Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Low Vision Rehabilitation and Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Aysun
authors: A
authors: İdil
authors: Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Derya
authors: D
authors: Öztuna
keywords: low vision; low vision rehabilitation; school-age children