Low vision devices and the diabetic patient

A telephone questionnaire was used to evaluate a group of diabetic patients with regard to monitoring of their glycaemic control and administration of their medication. All 50 patients had been assessed by an ophthalmologist and an optometrist in a hospital-based clinic. Nearly half (46%) of the patients reported that they relied on a carer/spouse to carry out or assist with these functions. This was not found to correlate with the patient's age or visual acuity. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of the self-caring group reported using their prescribed low vision device (LVD) in some aspect of their diabetic management. It is important for all involved in the management of diabetic patients to ascertain the social circumstances of the patient and to identify the carers. Practitioners in low vision services should pay particular attention to these aspects, especially the specific applications of low vision devices to help give the patient maximum independence.