STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE THE REPORTING OF LEGAL BLINDNESS IN MASSACHUSETTS

Objectives. Registration practices were evaluated as the initial phase of a validation study of the Register of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. Methods. Massachusetts eye care providers were surveye d to determine factors associated with nonreporting of legal blindness to the commission. Results. Among ophthalmologists, factors associate d with nonreporting were small practice size and practicing for 5 year s or less in Massachusetts. Among optometrists, factors included small practice size and unawareness of the Massachusetts reporting law. Con clusions. Information should be disseminated to eye care providers, le gally blind patients, and the public to ensure registration and sustai n it.