Vision Rehabilitation: Care and Benefit Plan Models. Literature Review. October 2002. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD.

     http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/vision/

Summary

• Vision rehabilitation is one of the many services that occupational therapists provide
• Vision rehabilitation often focuses on skills training, environmental modifications (such as adaptations in the home), and psychosocial supports
• According to National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data, 3 million or more older Americans are visually impaired
• Over 2/3 of those who are visually impaired are over 65 years of age
• Prevalence of low vision is expected to increase as the population (particularly the "baby boomers") ages
• Low vision can limit a person's participation in activities, and thus can negatively impact a person's long-term health!
• Vision rehabilitation can help!  Rehabilitation can ultimately improve a person's health and participation in activities!
• Devices to help people with low vision better participate in their daily activities can be "optical" or "non-optical"
• Optical devices include such objects as hand-help magnifiers, high-plus spectacles, telescopes, field-expanding devices, etc.
• Non-optical devices include medical management (such as a talking or light-up medication dispenser), modification of glare/color/contrast within the home or other environment, ergonomic posture and positioning, etc.
• Specific examples of adaptive equipment for people with low vision include:

               *  Large-button TV remote controls and telephones

               *  Raised or fluorescent markings on oven dials

               *  Talking watches

               *  Talking medication dispensers

               *  Large-print playing cards

               *  Felt-tip pens for writing

To learn more about the topic of vision rehabilitation, copy the following link and paste into your web browser:

http://www.ahrq.gov/Clinic/vision/vision2.htm#applyframework

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