Abstract :
With the estimated increase in the number of low vision patients, the need for optometrists with expertise in low vision rehabilitation services will increase especially among retail optometrist. The knowledge and awareness of low vision services among optometrists are needed to improve low vision rehabilitation services. This study intends to investigate the association between awareness, knowledge and years of experience among retail optometrists in Malaysia. A total of 344 registered retail optometrists across Malaysia participated in this cross-sectional web-based survey. A standardised questionnaire was generated using the Google Form, and the link was shared through social media-WhatsApp and Telegram from April to June 2021. From their responses, knowledge and awareness level on low vision services were assessed. Pearson chi-square tests for independence were used for knowledge and awareness on low vision services with years of experience comparisons. The knowledge and awareness of low vision services among retail optometrists in Malaysia was inadequate (1.78 ± 0.543 and 1.76 ± 0.545), respectively. Based on the results, no significant association between knowledge (χ2 = 11.517, p = 0.074) and awareness (χ2 =9.837, p = 0.132) on low vision services with years of experience of the respondents. These findings indicate that there is lack of knowledge and awareness on low vision services among retail optometrists in Malaysia despite the years of experience. More research is needed to enhance knowledge while also raising awareness among optometrists working in retail about the need of managing low vision patients, despite their years of experience.
