Vision rehabilitation for the blind and visually impaired should include maximum access, early intervention, financial support and skilled personal, a study in Clinical and Experimental Optometry reports.

A team of researchers conducted interviews with 19 participants including managers and service providers to identify the most important components of a suitable model for delivering rehabilitation services.

The study detailed four main themes from the professional feedback:

Create maximum access, including screening for visual impairment, a stepped model for service delivery and public and professional awareness of vision rehabilitation services.

Early intervention that encompasses timely identification of people at the onset of disability and initial counseling services.

Need for financial support, including affordable visual aid equipment and insurance coverage.

Informed and skilled personnel, including training vision rehabilitation specialists and ensuring the rehabilitation staff is familiar with the rehabilitation program.

The findings have valuable implications for policymaking and planning for vision rehabilitation services by health systems, the researchers noted in the study.