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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
3061.0: Monday, December 12, 2005 - 8:50 AM

Abstract #104589

Evidence needed to ascertain competency of vision care volunteers working in developing countries

Ian B. Berger, MD, DrPH, InFOCUS, 3438 Topeka Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78411, 361 857 8664, iberger@infocusonline.org and Kavita Mistry, OD, MPH, Ophthalmology, University of Texas San Antonio, 3402 Ocean Drive #31, Corpus Christi, TX 78411.

Evidence for the distribution of refractive errors and the proportion of populations in need of vision care have motivated both eye care professionals and lay volunteers to fill in gaps of available vision and eye care services for medically underserved populations all over the world. Quantitative data are collected on numbers served, prescription powers dispensed and eye diseases observed, but if poor vision or eye health were considered as morbidities, little, if any, evidence has been collected to demonstrate improved vision or other variables related to "quality of life." Neither prevalence data on visual acuity nor incidence of recurring eye diseases are routinely collected and when reported are often inconsistent or questionable for specified populations. Straight forward protocols are presented to evaluate the outcome of vision care for medically underserved populations.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Quality of Care, Vision Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

[ Recorded presentation ] Recorded presentation

International Health Care

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA