Section places new emphasis on rehabilitation
July 31, 2009
With a new name and an expanding mission, the AOA Vision Rehabilitation Section (VRS) is gearing up new efforts to support optometry’s increasingly important role in the growing field of rehabilitation services, according to section Chair Mark E. Wilkinson, O.D.
Formerly known as the AOA Low Vision Rehabilitation Section, the group was originally established by the AOA Board of Trustees to support optometric services for patients who are legally blind or visually impaired and cannot achieve functional vision through the use of conventional corrective lenses, Dr. Wilkinson noted.
Traditionally such care has involved the prescribing and fitting of patients with low vision devices such as telescopes and magnifiers, Dr. Wilkinson observed.
However, over the decades, low vision care has increasingly involved not only devices, but patient education and training to optimize the use of remaining vision, Dr. Wilkinson explained.
“In many respects, it has become similar to physical, occupational or speech therapy,” Dr. Wilkinson said
The section’s name was formally changed during Optometry’s Meeting® 2009 to reflect not only the increasing importance of rehabilitative therapy for such patients but the growing range of patients for whom such care may be appropriate, Dr. Wilkinson said.
“One example is the vision rehabilitation involved in brain injury, where patients may be able to see 20/20, and so do not fall under the classification of low vision, but may experience vision impairment that requires rehabilitative care.” Dr. Wilkinson said.
The section supports the inclusion of optometrists in an interdisciplinary approach to rehabilitation alongside neurologists and various types of therapists.
For optometrists desiring enhanced professional expertise in low vision rehabilitation, the section will be providing its Low Vision University continuing education programs at several state association optometric conferences in the coming months.
Section membership includes guidelines on the examination of individuals with vision impairment, access to an online forum, and an e-mail newsletter.
For additional information, see the AOA Vision Rehabilitation Section Page at (www.aoa.org/x4786.xml).
