Vision rehabilitation services: What is the evidence?

February 2015

Parvaneh Rabiee, Gillian Parker, Sylvia Bernard and Kate Baxter, Social Policy Research Unit, University of York

Evidence supporting the efficacy of rehabilitation services for those with sight loss is limited, according to research commissioned by Thomas Pocklington Trust. Despite this, many feel positive about the services provided and there is a strong indication that these services could be improved.

Key Facts:

People with sight loss are positive about the impact of vision rehabilitation services on their safety, confidence and independence.
The existing evidence base for community-based vision rehabilitation services is under-developed.
A quarter of services inappropriately required people to have a Fair Access to Care Services assessment to determine their eligibility to receive the service.
How can this research help?

The research indicates that vision rehabilitation services have the potential to improve the quality of life and independence of people with visual impairment. Identifying opportunities for growth and improvement will guide rehabilitation services toward providing better support for people with sight loss.

Links:

Research Findings: Vision Rehabilitation Services: What is the Evidence? – PDF version and Word version.