Publications

Lions Vision Services upholds a love of learning in everything we do, recognizing our need for continuous improvement, valuing wisdom, and celebrating initiative in maintaining a creative, forward-thinking culture. While we are not primarily a research-based institution, we support and occasionnally lead compelling, local, and cutting-edge research on vision and eye health in South Carolina. The publications below represent some of those studies and are made available here freely and publicly to advance eye health for all South Carolinians.

Big Data Project: Phase I

The Big Data Project Phase I report provides county-level data on the rate of blindness and low vision among people aged 65 years and older. This briefing also elucidates the rate of chronic conditions, quality of life, and disability among older people with and without blindness & low vision. The data sets included in the project are the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the American Community Survey (ACS). Spearheaded by VisionServe Alliance and The Ohio State University College of Optometry, this Big Data Project report is the only study providing comprehensive descriptions of older people with vision impairment at the county level in South Carolina in one document. The South Carolina Report is made possible by Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired SC, Lions Vision Services, and South Carolina Commission for the Blind.

Watch this South Carolina Big Data Project Webinar, originally presented to the Palmetto Vision Alliance, to learn more about this crucial report and its relevance to our state!

Big Data Project: Phase II

The Big Data Project Phase II report provides county-level data on the rate of blindness and low vision among people aged 18 to 64 years to better understand the social, economic, and health characteristics among working age people with and without blindness & low vision in each of the 8 labor force categories. In addition, the aim of this study is to better understand the prevalence of chronic conditions, quality of life, and disability characteristics in each category. These estimates are derived from the 2019 administration of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Spearheaded by VisionServe Alliance and The VanNasdale Group LLC, this Big Data Project report is useful to improve opportunities to promote work as well as improve overall health and quality of life of working aged people. The South Carolina Report is made possible by Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired SC, Lions Vision Services, and South Carolina Commission for the Blind.