Vetting Low Vision Services Candidates

I need to know that the patients I schedule have a high probability of a successful outcome. I define “successful” as the patient says they benefit, and I earn a fee commensurate with my knowledge and experience.

By
RICHARD J. SHULDINER, OD, FAAO
October 1, 2025
5 min

Optometric Management

Objective:

To discuss the process of screening potential low vision patients to increase the likelihood of successful outcomes, defined as patient satisfaction and perceived benefit.

Key Findings:

Patients who report blurry vision but can perform desired tasks are unlikely to benefit from low vision services.
Patients with specific visual challenges, like seeing street signs, are more likely to benefit.
Phone screening helps identify suitable candidates but is not foolproof; comprehensive exams are necessary.
The phone screening process may miss some candidates who could benefit from low vision services.

Interpretation:

The phone screening process can effectively filter candidates for low vision services, but it cannot guarantee success without further examination.

Limitations:

The phone screening process may miss some candidates who could benefit from low vision services.
Patient self-reporting may not accurately reflect their actual visual capabilities.