Service providers views on changes in low vision service provision during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in changes to low vision service provision across the UK. The main aim of this study was to investigate service providers’ (SPs) experiences of, and views on, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on provision of low vision (LV) assessments, and future provision post-pandemic. A mixed methods approach employed two surveys (S1 and S2) and one-to-one semi-structured phone interviews. SPs were invited for S1 (LV assessments before and during the pandemic) between June and August 2021, and S2 (post-pandemic services) in July 2022. Eleven purposively recruited SPs gave telephone interviews, assessing changes to LV assessments during the pandemic and how experiences could inform future services. Survey responses were tested for significant differences between proportions, and interviews analysed using thematic analysis. Eighty SPs, comprising clinical and non-clinical professionals, responded to S1, 27 to S2. Two themes emerged from interviews and surveys: early pandemic modifications and remote services. From S1, during the pandemic there was a significant increase ( p < .001) in the proportion of SPs providing LV assessments remotely (either alongside face-to-face provision, or remotely only), compared with pre-pandemic. S1, conducted while some COVID restrictions remained, also identified an increase in the proportion of LV assessments expected to be provided remotely post-pandemic compared with pre-pandemic ( p < .001). However, for S2, conducted after all restrictions were lifted, the increase in the proportion of LV assessments actually provided remotely post-pandemic was not statistically significant ( p = .20). Advantages (e.g., reduced risk of infection) and limitations (e.g., issues for hearing-impaired users) of remote LV assessments were highlighted. Remote LV assessments increased significantly during the pandemic and remained more common post- than pre-pandemic, though less common than anticipated. Many advantages were perceived, but guidance may need to be developed before remote services are more widely adopted.