Tag: vision rehab

Is Vision Rehab the Best Kept Secret?
Patients with progressing vision loss, for which there is no treatment or correction, are frequently told, “Nothing can be done.” The statement is meant, specifically, to say there is no medical intervention available. Too many times the patient interprets the words to mean, “There is nothing anyone or anything can do for you.” But that’s not true. At this point in the dialogue between doctor and patient, would be a good time to consider vision rehab services. But it often goes unmentioned.

The process equivalent to physical and occupational therapy, for loss of sight, is vision rehab. It is the “best kept secret, “according to Stephen Kelley, Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, quoted in the Web MD article titled, “Vision Rehab Helps People With Low Vision Navigate the World.” Kelley says, not only patients, but many medical professionals do not know the service exists. Perhaps because it does not qualify as medical and is not covered by health insurance, instead it’s considered a social service, usually funded by state agencies. Another issue, Kelley explains, is that vision rehab services are provided at agencies for the blind, which is intimidating because people who are visually impaired do not see themselves as blind. Getting past the obstacles and getting services, as soon as possible, is the priority, and Kelley knows, that to be true, because twenty years ago, he started having vision problems and lost his job in web design, while he was trying to figure out how to keep it.

The Web MD article also illustrates how a cardiologist, Joseph Fontenot, MD, developed untreatable macular problems at age 50. As his vision quickly declined, he learned about vision rehab from another patient with a similar condition. Rehab services enabled him to continue working. In the process, he too shared his experience with other low vision patients, and he began to understand how little patients knew about the kind of assistance that is available to them. At age 65, Dr. Fontenot became a certified vision rehab therapist, opened a practice, and went on to serve as chair of the Vision Rehabilitation Committee for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).

Watch the video below, conceived and created by Dr. Joseph Fontenot for the American academy of Ophthalmologists, to send the message loud and clear, “There is something you can do.”

Video: There is Something Else You Can Do

A full-service program will include a comprehensive evaluation with a low vision specialist. It’s about a thorough review of the patient’s vision and an understanding of their needs and goals. What do they have to do, want to do, love to do? The objective is to improve the individual’s ability to function at home, at work and out in the world. Improving the quality of life, elevates everything.

Finding a vision rehab program
- Ask your eye doctor to recommend a program
- Look for a program affiliated with a university or medical school
- Find a nonprofit organization that serves the needs of visually impaired persons with a full range of rehab services
- Veterans should contact the VA
May 26, 2022
Letter from the Editor 2020

Dorrie Rush, Chief Content Editor of OEPatients.org

2020 Is A Year for Clarity

We’re kicking off 2020, a number which, by my Google Assistants definition, also denotes vision of normal sharpness. A wonderful thought, but for many of us normal vision is not likely to become reality any time soon. There is, however, so much we can do to improve the lives we live with vision loss, and that is our mission, at OE Patients, for the foreseeable future. The numbers of older Americans living with low vision will double in coming years, and according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), “most of the people impacted believe nothing can be done to improve their quality of life.”

Twenty years ago, I was a member of this misinformed population. I distinctly recall posing the questions to the ophthalmologists as my vision loss progressed. “Is there somewhere I should go? Someone I should see? A class or course I can take to learn how I can continue living with severely impaired eyesight?” The response was usually a variation on, “Nothing can be done.” Although, it seems implausible two decades later, this may very well be the answer patients are still hearing today.

Is it possible this error in communication comes down to a huge misunderstanding? Physicians collectively and correctly view their role as healer. When there is no treatment for the disease, no correction for the visual loss, they may feel the next stage is not in their jurisdiction. Patients also conflate the declaration, “Nothing can be done (medically),” with “There is nothing YOU can do (either).” Both physicians and patients take part in this mix up, and both can do their part to fix it.

Many ophthalmologists today do take a moment to encourage patients to begin making adjustments from the earliest stages of vision loss and to recommend helpful resources. They also refer to a low vision specialist who will evaluate the best ways a patient can maximize their remaining vision, utilize available low vision devices and adjust the vision settings on their personal technologies. On the patients side, we certainly know many today, like our OE subscribers, are savvy self-advocates, actively engaged in the process of adjusting to, and living with vision loss.

In 2001, I joined the staff of Lighthouse International and began to understand the services offered by a vision rehabilitation agency. I was advantaged by the full access to expert and professional resources and advice, from which I benefitted greatly. An essential factor in my ongoing successful adjustment to progressing vision loss, was that I got an early start. Most patients are not referred for vision rehab services until they are legally blind, which is the threshold for reimbursement. Waiting to qualify for legal blindness, can also create an insurmountable set back.

In 2017, the Association for Macular Diseases and Ophthalmic Edge joined forces to launch OEPatients.org with the objective to elevate awareness by offering an added level of empowering information, not typically available in the physicians office. Our digital magazine format has an option to “Listen” instead of read, at the top right menu on every page. In the fall of 2019, we added the OE Patients Podcast (on OE, Apple and Spotify) to expand our content offering on Adjusting, Technology, Health and Voices of Experience.

Let’s work together to make 2020 a year for improved communication and focus on Living Better with Low Vision. We’ll all benefit. Join Us!

January 10, 2020
Low Vision Awareness: Time to Get Organized

A visual impairment that causes an acuity of 20/70 or less (in the better eye) and is not correctable with standard prescription glasses, or medical treatment, is considered ‘low vision.’ Although the term seems self-explanatory, it is not universally known, used predominantly by professionals in the field of vision rehabilitation and ophthalmology.

People with low vision can benefit from higher powered magnification that may take the form of glasses, handheld devices, stand magnifiers and desktop video magnifiers. These specialized magnifiers range from 3x to 30x. A low vision evaluation with a specialist is a good opportunity to see what works best for you.

Patients are not typically referred for vision rehab services until they are legally blind (20/200 in the best eye), because that is when fees for services are covered. So living with a progressive vision loss is your best advantage to get into the habit of making adjustments long before legal blindness.

Getting organized is key to living successfully with low vision. It may not be as easy to look for things as it once was. A neat and tidy environment will compensate in substantial ways. Think about how nice it is to open a drawer and find exactly what you’re looking for because it is right where you left it. With low vision often it is easier to put our hands on something before our eyes see that it’s there.

Let’s face it, everyone feels better when they’re organized. It gives us all a better sense of security. Like all good things we do for ourselves, order is something we have to work at and get into the habit of maintaining.

Here are some tips for re-organizing:

Declutter

This can be a difficult exercise for many people, but it is the absolute most important first step. Get rid of the stacks of catalogs and unopened junk mail you are never going to look at. Arrange for some help from a friend or a professional. Let it go. Purge! This eliminates a major safety hazard and it’s truly cathartic.

An organized drawer with folded clothing.

Clothing

Overstuffed, disorganized closets are totally unpleasant and way too difficult to find anything in. Get rid of the clothes that don’t fit or haven’t been worn in a while. It’s always good to be able to move hangers easily to find what you’re looking for. Set up the closet as you like, by category, color, season. Keep things neatly folded on shelves or as preferred. Get shoes in order on door organizers or on racks, keeping them out of your path to prevent stumbles. Dressers also crave coordination, as does the coat closet. Might be wise to get some help here to look over the clothes and make sure they’re looking good.

Cooking utensils neatly placed in a drawer kitchen organizer.

Kitchen

A place filled with cabinets and drawers is just asking to be organized. Cooking utensils and silverware should be neatly arranged so you can put your hand on the item you’re looking for. Consider using brightly colored utensils or contrasted dishes for better visual ID. Organize food pantry items as preferred and keep everything in it’s designated place. Keep favorites up front. Use textured bump dots for touch identification on frequently used appliance settings.

Bathroom

This is usually a small room that houses many small products where order is essential. In the bathroom, less is always best. Pare down to the everyday items. Keep cabinet shelves tidy. Do your best to remove clutter from surfaces. Put away or discard items not used often.

Eliminating chaos among your things will help you every single day. Explain to family members, and remind them from time to time, the importance of keeping your world organized.

February 23, 2018