OPHTHALMIC, HEALTH AND SOCIAL PROFILE OF GUIDE DOG OWNERS IN NORTHERN-IRELAND

Only 96 out of an estimated 28 000 registerable visually impaired pers ons, resident in Northern Ireland, currently make use of guide dogs fo r the blind. Results from this study indicate that guide dog owners re present a young, healthy and highly motivated subgroup of blind person s who have been profoundly visually impaired for prolonged periods of time. The implications of future ophthalmological developments, and of the educational and employment requirements of the visually impaired, are discussed.