Implementation of an evidence-based guideline for the referral of adults who are visually impaired in the Netherlands: potential barriers.(Research Report) From: Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness | Date: April 1, 2007| Author: | COPYRIGHT 2007 American Foundation for the Blind. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

Throughout the Western world, 1%-2% of the population is visually impaired (that is, is blind or has low vision) (Thylefors, Negrel, Pararajasegaram, & Dadzie, 1995). In the Netherlands, of the 200,000 people who are visually impaired, the majority (85%) are aged 65 or older (Melief & Gorter, 1998). The most important cause of visual impairment is age-related macular degeneration (Klaver, Wolfs, Vingerling, Hofman, & de Jong, 1998; van Rens, Chmielowski, & Lemmens, 1991). Rehabilitation for individuals with a permanent visual impairment can foster their self-efficiency and improve ...