Low Vision Rehab

Low vision rehab is essential for those with macular degeneration. Since it's a fairly new service many physicians and ophthalmologists do not know they can refer or how to refer patients to this service.



Low Vision Rehabilitation

According to the May issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, patients who utilized low vision therapy or rehab which included a home visit, counseling on assisted devices and how to use them, along with "homework" assignments had significant improvement in their vision.

There are several components to low vision rehab. They may include evaluation and recommendations for:

1. Magnifying Reading Glasses

A low vision specialist can make recommendations for glasses that will magnify. They can recommend the magnifcation power that is best for you. As your macular degeneration progresses you will need more magnification - sometimes this can be achieved through magnifying reading glasses.

2. Sunglasses and Macular Degeneration

Your low vision specialist can make recommendations on sunglasses that help to reduce glare and improve contrast or suggest blue-blocker sunglasses. To learn more about sunglasses and macular degeneration click here: Sunglasses and Macular Degeneration

3. Low Vision Lighting

As your macular degeneration progresses you will need more light. A low vision specialist can recommend the best type of lighting for less glare and better contrast for reading or doing hobbies. To learn more about low vision lighting click here: Low Vision Lighting

Low Vision Aids

Low vision aids include magnifiers, low vision technology, eccentric viewing and other handy aids for cooking, reading, or managing your bills.

Magnifiers for Macular Degneration

Magnifiers for macular degeneration may be the most important visual aid to help you adjust and adapt to your vision loss. However, you will need different magnifiers for different tasks.

To learn more about macular degeneration magnifiers click here: Macular Degeneration Magnifiers

Binocular Vision

Binocular vision can help you see things from a distance. If you are wanting to watch your grandson play baseball, enjoy a sporting event or a broadway musical you will find that through binocular vision you can once again enjoy seeing things or people from far away. To learn more click here: Binocular Vision

Low Vision CCTV

A low vision CCTV is an electronic magnifier and a device that you will find very helpful as your macular degeneration increases. CCTV stands for closed circuit television. The special camera focuses on what you want to see (i.e. a pill bottle, a check, a photograph etc,) and displays it on a large screen. Low Vision CCTV

Speech to Text Converter

A speech to text converter will help the person with macular degeneration to dictate text into almost any Windows application.

You can now search the web, write an e-mail, find a recipe,and check the weather all by voice command and dictation. To learn more click here: Speech to Text Converter

Text to Speech Converter

A text to speech converter will read the latest news reports, stock market, the weather, an e-mail or a word document from your computer. Word text to speech has been around for a while now so that today's programs are easy to use with clear and easy to understand voices. To learn more click here: Text to Speech Converter

How to Access Low Vision Rehab

In a four month study done by the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, it was found that those with macular disease who did not participate in any therapy program, lost vision and functional ability compared to those who received 10.46 hours of face-to-face vision therapy.

As you can see, people with macular degeneration can greatly benefit from rehab training. Since this is a fairly new emerging service many physicians and ophthalmologists do not know they can refer patients to this service or how to find such services.

Here are several resources for you to find a low vision specialist:

1. The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) provides a directory that lists visual rehabilitation programs nationwide. You may call them at 1-800-232-5463 or go to their website at www.afb.org.

2. The American Optometric Association provides a list of optometrists. When you perform a search be sure to check the box that says "Low Vision Rehabilitation Section. Here is their link: www.aoa.org

3. LowVision.org provides some great resources and information on low vision. You can also access a list of internatioal low vision specialists at lowvision.org

Low Vision Occupational Therapy

Low vision occupational therapy helps the patient with macular degeneration to maintain their independence and safety. They can assist patients in a way that allows them to continue to live in their own home. Through a home visit the occupational therapist will help the patient function at their best through home modification recommendations. Click here to learn more: Low Vision Occupational Therapy

Orientation and Mobility

"Orientation and Mobility (O&M) is special training to help a person with a vision impairment get from one place to another as safely, efficiently, and independently as possible."

Andrea Story, Parent-Infant Educator SESA

The O&M specialist begins with an assessment of the individual's visual and physical abilities. It includes trainin with the use of low vision aids, canes and guide dogs. To learn more about this service click here: Orientation and Mobility

Go from Low Vision Rehab to Low Vision

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