What we do

Low vision

In most developing countries there is a shortage of available and accessible ophthalmologic care, education and rehabilitation for persons with low vision. As a consequence persons with low vision are often socially and economically disadvantaged. CBM endeavours to enable these persons to make use of their skills, talents and opportunities in the most effective way.

CBM does this by making sure that basic eye care, education and vision rehabilitation services are available and accessible. In addition, CBM supports people with low vision with optical and non-optical assistive devices. For instance, every year thousands of magnifiers and other special devices sponsored by CBM are distributed to people who need them.

Objectives are:

  • Create awareness about Low Vision among all parties involved.
  • Promote early identification of Low Vision
  • Develop training in Low Vision as part of exiting trainings and as postgraduate trainings.
  • Organise availability of and access to low vision devices for programmes and individuals.
  • Establish Low Vision services at primary, secondary and tertiary levels to provide comprehensive low vision care, using existing education, medical, rehabilitation and relevant community programmes
  • Focus on early intervention

CBM's efforts aim especially at children with low vision. Early intervention is encouraged in the form of

  • training in effective use of vision such as eg vision stimulation
  • training in the use of optical devices such as magnifiers and telescopes
  • training to use vision and other senses to become independent, eg orientation and mobility

Rolf Müggenburg, Continental Director, Asia: "For CBM's work, Low Vision is and will remain a cross cutting issue. We have developed so called Low Vision Implementation Plans for the different regions of Asia. These have the main aim to provide access to any client with Low Vision in the regions to the necessary clinical and functional assessments, to training, advice and devices to make optimal use of their vision in order to enable them to improve their quality of life and to promote independence and inclusion in the local community."