A scoping review of vision rehabilitation services in Canada

Abstract

Around 1.5 million Canadians live with some form of vision impairment. The demand for vision rehabilitation (VR) services is projected to increase as the number of older adults with age-related vision loss rises. To inform programmes and policies for VR, we aimed to answer two research questions: (1) How are VR services delivered in Canada? and (2) If gaps exist in current delivery of VR services, how can they be characterized? We used Arksey and O’Malley scoping review framework. A comprehensive search of five databases (PubMed, CINAHL/EBSCO, EMBASE, ProQuest, and Global Health) was performed during January 2019 and then updated in March 2021. Index terms and keywords relating to vision loss or impairment and rehabilitation were used. Non-peer-reviewed (grey) literature, in the form of reports and policies on VR in Canada, was sourced via Google/Google Scholar. To be included, sources had to (1) focus on VR services in Canada, (2) be available in English or French, and (3) be published after 2003. Data were extracted and analysed thematically to describe VR services across provinces and to identify gaps in service delivery in Canada. Out of 1311 studies identified, 62 were included. Findings indicate that the structure of VR services as well as provincial funding for assistive devices varies across provinces. The reported gaps at the level of service providers, users, and delivery systems were lack of awareness about the benefits of VR, limited collaboration and coordinated services between eye care and VR services, delayed referral to VR, shortage of specialists, and insufficient funding and training for vision devices. This article describes VR services in Canada and documents important gaps in VR services and research evidence across provincial jurisdictions. Future work to address gaps, and develop and evaluate interventions to facilitate optimal VR services is imperative.

Barriers and enablers of utilization of low-vision rehabilitation services among people 50 years or older in East and Southeast Asia: a scoping review protocol

“…The barriers and enablers of LVR service utilization have been well documented in the Western world, such as the United States, 11 Australia, 12 and Canada, 13,14 and in some Asian countries, such as India 15,16 and Pakistan. 17 In ESEA, however, evidence of the barriers and enablers of LVR service utilization is fragmented.…”

Barriers to Care for Poststroke Visual Deficits in Alberta, Canada

“…The majority of survivor and provider respondents, as in other jurisdictions, called for provincial action to address gaps in poststroke VI care. [11][12][13][14] In the UK, unmet needs for poststroke VI were attributed to absent treatment protocols (9%), limited use of screening tools to detect post-stroke VI (22%), and inadequate educational material available for patients or caregivers (33.5%). 13 Rowe et al then co-designed a stroke-VI care pathway using a literature review and two focus groups with care providers and survivors.…”