Barriers to Low Vision Services Among Optometrists in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: This study identifies the barriers and challenges to the provision of low vision services among practicing optometrists in Saudi Arabia. Methods: In this study, a self-administered online structured survey for practicing optometrists was used. Responses were collected to understand the number and percentage of low vision service providers, level of awareness, and barriers to the provision of low vision services. Results: This study included 154 (79 females and 75 males) practicing optometrists. They were from the five regions of Saudi Arabia (23 cities). The age of the practitioners ranged from 22 to 54 years. They had Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Forty-four participants (30%) provided low vision services. The major barriers reported were lack of training (87%), lack of awareness about low vision services (76%), lack of availability of low vision devices (70%), lack of motivation (65%), low vision services being time-consuming (55%), being busy in providing general optometry (65%), and lack of financial sources (31%). Conclusion: Building an efficient model for low vision rehabilitation in Saudi Arabia is needed. Moreover, encouraging more optometrists to be involved in low vision rehabilitation is necessary. There is also a need for more low vision education, national health coverage of patients with low vision, and better collaboration between low vision service providers.

Confidence in low vision rehabilitation and attitudes towards further learning: A survey of UK optometrists

“…However, the response rate in this study was similar to that for the recent GOC Registrant Workforce and Perceptions Survey 2022, which achieved a response rate of 13.7% 35 . The response rate in this study was higher than that reported in an Australian survey which investigated optometrists' barriers to providing LV services, 12 but lower than similar surveys in Canada 13 and Saudi Arabia 14 . The higher response rate from members with the Prof Cert LV (35.8%) suggests that there may be self‐selection bias in favour of those interested in LV.…”

“…The survey explicitly asked respondents to assume they had access to all necessary equipment when rating confidence in specific tasks, so responses should also not directly reflect current equipment availability. The relatively low confidence in LV reported by non‐LVS optometrists is in keeping with barriers to LV service provision reported by optometrists outside the UK 12–16 . However, previous studies have mostly reported general statements about optometrists' professional confidence in LV, for example, lack of knowledge, 12,13 whereas this survey provides more granular detail about confidence to undertake specific tasks involved in LV service provision.…”

“…The relatively low confidence in LV reported by non-LVS optometrists is in keeping with barriers to LV service provision reported by optometrists outside the UK. [12][13][14][15][16] However, previous studies have mostly reported general statements about optometrists' professional confidence in LV, for example, lack of knowledge, 12,13 whereas this survey provides more granular detail about confidence to undertake specific tasks involved in LV service provision.…”

“…35 The response rate in this study was higher than that reported in an Australian survey which investigated optometrists' barriers to providing LV services, 12 but lower than similar surveys in Canada 13 and Saudi Arabia. 14 The higher response rate from members with the Prof Cert LV (35.8%) suggests that there may be self-selection bias in favour of those interested in LV. Although 71% of GOC registered optometrists are members of the College of Optometrists, another potential source of bias may be that only College members were sampled.…”

“…11 Increasing participation of optometrists in LV service provision should improve service availability and accessibility, which is likely to become ever more important as the prevalence of VI rises. While effective commissioning of services is likely to be pivotal, studies outside the UK have reported optometrists' perceived barriers to providing LV services, which also include lack of knowledge, 12,13 lack of experience, 13 lack of awareness, 14 insufficient training 14,15 and self-reported lack of proficiency with high additional (adds). 16 UK optometrists' professional confidence in the delivery of LV services has not yet been investigated, but behaviour change theory suggests that it could be an important factor influencing optometrists' motivation to participate in LV service provision.…”