Optical Appliances Competency 4.3

Competency 4.3

The ability to advise on the use of, and to dispense simple low vision aids including: hand and stand magnifiers, typoscopes and hand held telescopes

There is a considerable amount of information covered under this particular competency.  To be able to advise upon the use of and to dispense simple low vision aids, your must also be able to identify those patients who would benefit from a low vision assessment.  Have there been any indications during your examination which could be more appropriately covered within a low vision assessment perhaps?

This competency also covers the basic understanding and knowledge of magnification – what is magnification how do we assess for magnification and how do we go about prescribing the right magnification for each of the patient’s tasks taking into consideration the relevant acuity and contrast reserves.

Under this competency are covered simple low vision aids – spectacles magnifiers, hand and stand magnifiers and some telescopic magnifiers.  You will need to understand basic optical principles for each of these categories, patient selection and training and advantages and disadvantages of each under given situations or conditions.

Along with the optical aids for low vision, this competency also assesses your knowledge and understanding of non optical aids for low vision, such as typoscopes, daily living equipment, and additional strategies to enhance performance such as auditory and tactile stimuli.

You will need to have some basic knowledge on advising patients on lighting, glare and contrast; which means taking into consideration their level of vision, the tasks and the underlying condition or factors which are causing the patient’s reduction in visual performance.

Best Form Evidence

Given the nature of the competency, it is unlikely that Direct Observation will be possible (or even expected by the Assessor).  Within the practice setting it is expected that you have seen at least one patient with a visual impairment requiring a low vision aid (refer to the Patient Episode Sheets) and therefore, the primary source of evidence will be Patient Records.  Where possible, have at least three records to show to the Assessor.  Your Logbook will then serve as another form of evidence.

If you have a patient to whom you are considering dispensing an aid, ensure that the following have been addressed sufficiently:

• A full detailed task analysis, to include the size and working distance of the task or tasks
• Whether the patient needs something hands free or spectacle mounted
• Does the patient have the ability to hold their hand steady?
• Does the task require a flat surface?
• Is the cosmesis acceptable?
• Will there be any training required?
• Will the close working distance be accepted?
• Is the aid required to be portable?
• Is additional or integral lighting desired?
• Is cost a significant factor?

Most Assessors will also ask you Questions about the simple hand magnifiers that your practice may have in stock.  So if your practice has some magnifiers on display, make sure that you are familiar with them.  If there are no aids within the practice, it is not uncommon to find that the Assessor may have brought one or two of his own with him.

With each type or group of aid you should be able to discuss the following list with the Assessor:

• Identify type or aid (hand, stand magnifiers etc)
• Assess magnification and power
• Materials and casing
• Lens form
• Illumination system
• Advantages or disadvantages
• Patient selection
• Examples of use
• Be able to demonstrate how it is used  working distance, FOV,  acuity reserve
• Be aware of the range of magnification available for each category