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Eye Care Center at the Southern California College of Optometry MaryAnn Walls Low Vision Center. Dr. Becky Kammer, Chief 714-449-7415 rkammer@scco.edu . What is Low Vision?. Patients may be blind or just partially sighted (visually impaired) 20/70 or worse in better eye
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Eye Care Centerat the Southern California College of OptometryMaryAnn Walls Low Vision Center Dr. Becky Kammer, Chief 714-449-7415 rkammer@scco.edu
What is Low Vision? • Patients may be blind or just partially sighted (visually impaired) 20/70 or worse in better eye • Legally Blind is 20/200 or worse with best correction on
What can Rehabilitative Optometry do to help? • Help patients see to read • Help patients see to drive • Help patients meet specific vision goals
Main Rehabilitation Goal Improve independence and quality of life
How does the exam flow? • Patient’s come for at least 2-3 visits where a full eye exam is given and then devices are introduced to meet goals • First Visit: Team is introduced to patient • Occupational therapist • Student doctor • Faculty professor • OT will schedule a home evaluation before patient returns for second visit.
Second Visit • OT summarizes their home visit for Dr. and the second optometric visit is planned for the patient. • More visual goals are evaluated, devices are ordered • Possibly more training visits with OT are scheduled in the meantime
Dispensing Visit • Patient’s glasses or devices are given to patient and basic training in office is provided • OT schedules 2-4 more home visits to make sure patient uses device correctly and is using residual vision correctly (eccentric viewing training if needed) • OT reports back to Dr. for follow up
EXAM COMPONENTSCase history • Summarize to obtain basic goals • Sustained Near: Reading continuous text • Spotting Near: Seeing bills, shopping • Sustained Distance: Watching TV • Spotting Distance: Driving, seeing signs • Illumination and Glare: often need enhanced contrast indoor, need better lighting indoor
EXAM COMPONENTS Functional visual acuities • Distance Vision • Feinbloom chart (Designs of Vision) • Near Vision • Single digit chart (M notation – Lighthouse charts) • Continuous text chart (M notation - Lighthouse)
EXAM COMPONENTS Functional visual fields • Several tests available to help determine how much usable vision is present • Nystagmus patients usually have full fields • This is great for rehabilitation processes
EXAM COMPONENTS Contrast sensitivity • Testing is critical for determining if low contrast objects can be seen in dim lighting • Poor contrast sensitivity may slow down reading or cause problems driving at night…
EXAM COMPONENTS Binocularity • Functional considerations • Depth perception up close (3D) • Many nystagmus patients have no depth perception (or true binocularity) • Most Low Vision patients are functionally monocular
EXAM COMPONENTS Calculations to determine the best type of magnification or modifications
EXAM COMPONENTS A Few Treatment options • Spectacle plane – high plus/microscope • Loupe – Hand magnifier, stand magnifier, head mounted • Telescopes • Electronic devices • Filters/lighting
Glare Treatment • Various colored filters (lens tints) • NoIR • Corning • Plastic Photochromic (Chadwick Optical) • Cocoon’s
Nonoptical aids • Relative Size Devices: Large Print Books • Posture and Positioning Devices: Lap boards • Writing Devices:Felt tip pens • Medical Devices: Talking glucometers • Mobility Devices: Cane, Dog guide • Sensory Substitution Devices: Talking clocks
Referrals • Orientation and mobility • Visual impairment instructor – independent living skills • Department of Rehabilitation • Support Groups/counseling • Braille Institute for ILS classes
What’s new in LV? • Computer technology with adaptive software • Volunteer at ECC provides one-on-one computer appointments for low vision patients
What’s on the horizon for LV? • Blind Art Exhibit in September 05 • Research • SCCO is now part of a progressive group that is attempting to initiate clinical trials in the U.S. • Completion of a small multi-center study with hemianopic patients