GERIATRIC LOW-VISION REFERRALS BY OPHTHALMOLOGISTS IN A SENIOR HEALTH-CENTER

A review of the records of 307 ophthalmology patients at a senior heal th center found that: of the 47 patients who were deemed appropriate f or referral to the low vision clinic, only 13 were actually referred. This finding indicates that ophthalmologists, as well as other physici ans, were underutilizing the low vision services that are available to their patients at the center. This article describes the study and di scusses the criteria to consider in referring geriatric patients for v isual rehabilitation services.