Low vision rehabilitation : skills for occupational therapists

Collins, N; Collins, B

Abstract

Many older people referred to occupational therapy may
experience sight loss, yet, in the presence of other disability, it is
commonly overlooked by health professionals (Horowitz 2004).
Sight loss can result in significant difficulty with activities of daily
living (Dahlin Ivanoff et al 1998) and can be very challenging,
particularly for older people who also experience other agerelated disability (Colenbrander & Fletcher, 1995).
Low vision rehabilitation includes relatively simple techniques
that, if used correctly, can enable the individual to make best
use of remaining vision. Incorporating low vision rehabilitation
techniques into occupational therapy can enable clients to
perform occupations and enhance quality of life (Scheiman et al
2006).
Workshop outline: Specific approaches used in low vision
rehabilitation will be explored, including:
• an introduction to low vision aids;
• correct use and ergonomic positioning of low vision aids;
• task lighting;
• eccentric fixation training, a technique for central vision loss;
• strategies to help homonymous hemianopia and additional
cognitive or perceptual complications including visual neglect
and visual overload;
• management of disability glare and/or poor contrast sensitivity.
Workshop outcomes: This workshop, jointly facilitated by a
low vision therapist and an occupational therapist, will provide
both knowledge and practical skills. These can be used to
augment current practice, enable appropriate early referral to
specific services if appropriate and can reduce the risk of the
myriad negative outcomes associated with sight loss for older
people (Scheiman et al 2006).

Citation

Collins, N., & Collins, B. Low vision rehabilitation : skills for occupational therapists. Presented at College of Occupational Therapists 37th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), Glasgow, United Kingdom

• Presentation Conference Type: Lecture
• Conference Name: College of Occupational Therapists 37th Annual Conference and Exhibition
• Conference Location: Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), Glasgow, United Kingdom
• End Date: Jun 20, 2013
• Online Publication Date: Jul 1, 2013
• Publication Date: Jun 20, 2013
• Deposit Date: Jul 14, 2020
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/03080226130767S101
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/03080226130767S101
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference