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Abstract: Joseph Eye Hospital''s low vision services identified, assessed and advised 125 children with a vision better than light perception in two blind schools in Tamilnadu. This paper presents the situation before and after the low vision interventions and the need for integration in mainstream school. A multidisciplinary team of eye care and rehab personnel assessed all children, prescribed surgery and/or devises and provided advice to child and teachers. Environmental modifications and educational guidance were also recommended. Factors and difficulties in integrating these children in mainstream schools were also noted. Routine clinical data, such as etiology and causes of low vision, presenting and best acuities and the like were recorded. Qualitative data such as input needed and problems encountered by all parties to promote integration in local education were collected. Results show that education of children with low vision in blind schools can lead to vision-related and educational problems. The conclusions highlight the visual improvements in children with low vision in the blind schools and their impact on the possibility for inclusion in local schools. Strategies to ensure that children do not unnecessarily go to blind schools and to overcome barriers to this goal are illustrated, using the experiences from this study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the visual status of children with multi-handicap and possible low vision, including results of assessment and training. All children with multiple disabilities, i.e., 123, who were screened from July 2002 to July 2004 were included. They were mainly identified through disability programmes around Joseph Eye hospital''s low vision service in Tamil Nadu, South India. A complete clinical and functional assessment and visual rehabilitation was done in all cases. All the children were screened by the same multidisciplinary team of eye care and rehabilitation personnel. Data such as sex, ages, causes and aetiology of low vision, devices prescribed and the use of flexible and multiple assessments are presented. Outcomes of use of devices, best use of vision and vision training, if needed, are outlined. The close cooperation between child, parents, and staff of training programmes and the low vision services is seen as a vital ingredient for success. Finding, assessing and training the children are not possible otherwise. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]