Section 17-402-8 - Low vision clinic(a) The low vision clinic shall provide a program for examining, prescribing and fitting of appropriate optical aids and other devices, to improve the visual acuity of persons with low vision or who are currently classified as legally blind.(b) The objectives of the low vision clinic are to:(1) Promote improved visual efficiency for all persons who have reduced visual acuity;(2) Increase employment opportunities for partially-sighted individuals through the use of low vision aids;(3) Provide partially-sighted individuals the opportunity to be self-sufficient and independent in visual tasks; and(4) Provide the young partially-sighted child with maximum visual efficiency to properly influence development socially, academically, and vocationally.(c) Low vision clinic services shall be available to all blind and visually-handicapped children and adults, provided their ophthalmological, general medical, and psychological conditions do not contra-indicate clinic services. (1) Patients shall be seen in the low vision clinic on referral from their ophthalmologists or optometrists. If applicants are not known to an ophthalmologist or optometrist, they shall receive the initial examination by the low vision clinic's consulting ophthalmologist;(2) The low vision clinic worker shall follow up on the use of the low vision aids within thirty days after the aid is dispensed;(3) The patient shall receive additional training as is necessary to use the aids effectively;(4) The low vision clinic worker shall arrange for an annual re-examination; and(5) The low vision clinic shall not charge for any services. Low vision aids shall be paid for in the following manner: (A) Private patients shall pay for their own aids.(B) Vocational rehabilitation clients' aids shall be arranged for by their counselors.(C) Those patients covered by insurance shall receive assistance from the low vision clinic worker in preparing the appropriate form.(D) For patients who cannot pay, the low vision clinic worker shall attempt to arrange for payment by donations.(d) The low vision clinic case record shall contain the following: (1) Intake summary information, including referral source, medical history, arid other pertinent data;(2) The referral eye examination;(3) The optometric or ophthalmology examination by the low vision clinic;(4) Running dictation concerning the client's progress; and(5) A closure summary, including a clear indication of the patient's best corrected vision and a statement indicating whether or not the patient benefited from low vision clinic services.(e) Neighbor island referrals to the low vision clinic shall be accompanied by an internal communication form (ICF) containing a summary of the patient's medical, visual, and pertinent social history.[Eff. NOV 5 1981] (Auth: HRS § 347-3) (Imp: HRS § 347-3)