Low Vision Rehabilitation

This Second Edition of Low Vision Rehabilitation: A Practical Guide for Occupational Therapists provides current, evidence-based information on low vision rehabilitation that contains several new and expanded chapters on ADLs, IADLs, and recreation, as well as new online resources and the latest in accessibility devices. Low vision rehabilitation is rapidly growing as a specialty practice for occupational therapists. This growth requires practical, evidence-based information on the evaluation and treatment of the effects of low vision on occupational performance. Responding to this need, Low Vision Rehabilitation: A Practical Guide for Occupational Therapists, Second Edition blends standards of practice that have been developed for over 50 years by low vision therapists and optometrists, with the latest scientific research and the unique perspective of occupational therapists. This text is written to introduce the student and general practitioner to low vision rehabilitation as commonly encountered in medical rehabilitation as well as provides a conceptual approach to evaluation and treatment that will enrich an advanced practice. Authors Stephen Whittaker, a low vision researcher, certified low vision therapist and occupational therapist, Mitchell Scheiman, an optometrist and researcher, and Debra Sokol-McKay, an occupational therapist with specialty certification in low vision as well as certification as a low vision therapist, vision rehabilitation therapist and diabetes educator, have carefully selected evidence-based evaluations and treatments that focus on clinical practicality and meaningful occupational goals in adults. New to the Second Edition: A focus on occupational performance using “whatever works,” whether visual, non-visual, or a combination of these different devices and adaptive techniques The “EPIC” Framework, a general strategy to organize a treatment plan for daily activities using visual and non-visual techniques Access to a companion website designed as a handy clinical reference, with solutions to clinical problems easily searchable and cross-linked to related content The “Success-Oriented Approach” to interventions based on the most recent research on cognitive disability and depression associated with low vision Applications of the latest electronic accessibility devices including smartphones, tablets, and magnifiers that read aloud Incorporates the AADETM 7 Self-Care Behavior framework of the American Association of Diabetes Educators Incorporates concepts from the latest edition of the AOTA Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process A chapter devoted to field loss, spatial neglect and perceptual impairments resulting from acquired-brain-injury. The latest in Medicare documentation standards including outcome to G-code conversions and ICD-10 diagnostic coding for low vision. Included with the text are online supplemental materials for faculty use in the classroom. Features Included: Recommended practical evaluation and treatment methods such as a 1 hour evaluation protocol, how to write observable and measurable goals and document outcomes, and specific instructions on how to implement treatments Prepares therapists for the ACVREP certification as a low vision therapist or vision rehabilitation or AOTA specialty certification in low vision Emphasizes intervention and low vision rehabilitation treatment including: modification of the environment adaptive visual and non-visual techniques selection and use of non-optical assistive devices selection and use of electronic and optical devices and use of computer technology including smartphones and tablets Comprehensive case studies on vision impairment resulting from eye disease to head injury and more Provides valuable information on how to start an independent practice in low vision rehabilitation Includes a chapter on diabetes management Low Vision Rehabilitation: A Practical Guide for Occupational Therapists, Second Edition employs an interdisciplinary perspective that is unique, practical, and credible and will benefit Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant students, as well as practicing clinicians interested in specializing in low vision or other health care practitioners for patients with vision impairment.

The ability to see deeply affects how human beings perceive and interpret the world around them. For most people, eyesight is part of everyday communication, social activities, educational and professional pursuits, the care of others, and the maintenance of personal health, independence, and mobility. Functioning eyes and vision system can reduce an adult's risk of chronic health conditions, death, falls and injuries, social isolation, depression, and other psychological problems. In children, properly maintained eye and vision health contributes to a child's social development, academic achievement, and better health across the lifespan. The public generally recognizes its reliance on sight and fears its loss, but emphasis on eye and vision health, in general, has not been integrated into daily life to the same extent as other health promotion activities, such as teeth brushing; hand washing; physical and mental exercise; and various injury prevention behaviors. A larger population health approach is needed to engage a wide range of stakeholders in coordinated efforts that can sustain the scope of behavior change. The shaping of socioeconomic environments can eventually lead to new social norms that promote eye and vision health. Making Eye Health a Population Health Imperative: Vision for Tomorrow proposes a new population-centered framework to guide action and coordination among various, and sometimes competing, stakeholders in pursuit of improved eye and vision health and health equity in the United States. Building on the momentum of previous public health efforts, this report also introduces a model for action that highlights different levels of prevention activities across a range of stakeholders and provides specific examples of how population health strategies can be translated into cohesive areas for action at federal, state, and local levels.

"Foundations of Vision Rehabilitation Therapy continues the legacy of Paul Ponchillia and Sue Ponchillia's seminal work Foundations of Rehabilitation Teaching with Persons Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired. After it was published in 1996, that book quickly established itself as an essential reference for vision rehabilitation professionals. Foundations of Vision Rehabilitation Therapy builds on that important work, reflecting changes in terminology and technology, while also incorporating best practices based on the past decades of evidence. It reflects the contemporary understanding of adult learning and skill building, providing proven techniques to help people with visual impairments develop skills and gain confidence that will equip them to lead independent, fulfilling lives"--

Presents an emerging model in which occupational therapists practice as part of a team of vision rehabilitation professionals serving adults with low vision. Occupational therapists offer a unique contribution to the vision rehabilitation team, with a focus on meaningful occupational goals, the incorporation of occupation into therapy, and the orchestration of environmental, social, and non-visual personal factors into a treatment plan. The authors have developed a practical and straightforward text outlining an evaluation approach to interventions that focus on recovering occupational performance in adults.

This book explores the issues affecting low vision rehabilitation against the background of today's health care environment. Contributors focus on trends in managed care, service and funding, shifting demographics, and the renewed emphasis on outcomes. Chapters discuss the need for low vision rehabi

A Survey of the Utilization of Rehabilitation Services by the Visually Impaired Elderly Population -- Low Vision Care: Is Ongoing Assessment Really Necessary? -- Are Low Vision Aids still used Six Month safter Prescription? -- Part II -- DOMICILIARY FOLLOW UP IN LOW VISION CARE -- Low Vision Services in the Context of Vision Rehabilitation -- Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired Children in China -- Residual vision and integration: The implications for India in the management of its blind population -- The Visual Advice Centre Eindhoven, An Experiment in Dutch Low Vision Care -- Meeting the Needs of a Geographically Isolated Paediatric Low Vision Population -- Part III -- The ICIDH as a basis for a uniform language in rehabilitation -- An interdisciplinary model for the rehabilitation of visually impaired and blind people -- Suggestions for the classification of impairments and disabilities of low vision -- VISUAL ACUITY MEASUREMENT for LOW VISION -- The FUNCTIONAL VISION SCORE -- A method to evaluate and rehabilitate the functional vision of visually impaired people -- Quantitative Evaluation of Visual Function -- Functional diagnosis and rehabilitation in proposals for an information support system for the treatment of the visually disabled -- Optometric Involvement in Low Vision Training -- The Importance of Social Work with the Multidisciplinary Assistance of the VAC-E -- The Graduate of Poland's First Program in Vision Rehabilitation - a Follow-Up Survey -- Author Index

This book is about the visually impaired. It describes the usual elements of low vision—the low-vision examination, the corrective devices, microscopes, telescopes, hand and stand magnifiers, and nonoptical aids. There is so much more, and the book can be a great reference for the social worker, the physical therapist, the occupational therapist, the optometrist and ophthalmologist, and anyone who works with visually impaired individuals. There is a wealth of information that our authors have made available to the reader. The optics are simple to understand. Anyone who works with visually impaired will comprehend the pathology as most will have been exposed to them. Contributions have been made by prominent men and women such as Dr. Paul Ajamian, Dr. Wayne Hoeft, Dr. Lawrence Kline, Dr. William Padula, Dr. Bruce Rosenthal, Dr. Tracy Williams, and Dr. Norman Weiss. They are some icons in the field of low vision.

Foundations of Low Vision: Clinical and Functional Perspectives, the ground-breaking text that highlighted the importance of focusing on the functional as well as the clinical implications of low vision, has been completely updated and expanded in this second edition. The revised edition goes even further in its presentation of how best to assess and support both children and adults with low vision and plan programs and services that optimize their functional vision and ability to lead productive and satisfying lives, based on individuals' actual abilities. Part 1, Personal and Professional Perspectives, provides the foundations of this approach, with chapters focused on the anatomy of the eye, medical causes of visual impairment, optics and low vision devices, and clinical low vision services, as well as psychological and social implications of low vision and the history of the field. Part 2 focuses on children and youths, providing detailed treatment of functional vision assessment, instruction, use of low vision devices, orientation and mobility, and assistive technology. Part 3 presents rehabilitation and employment issues for working-age adults and special considerations for older adults.