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Occupational Therapy in Low‑Vision Rehabilitation

Occupational Therapy in Low‑Vision Rehabilitation Hello and welcome back to the Low Vision Learning Channel. I’m Dr. Sal, a low vision optometrist. Today we’re going to talk about an essential part of your recovery team, occupational therapists, or OTs. If you’ve recently had a stroke or are living with low vision, an occupational therapist can help you regain independence and safety in your daily life. Part 1 The OT’s Role in Vision Rehabilitation Occupational therapists focus on how vision loss affects your daily activities, safety and emotional wellbeing. They evaluate how you cook, dress, read and navigate your home, and then collaborate with you to find strategies and devices that make those tasks easier. Beyond general support, some OTs obtain advanced training in low vision rehabilitation. These specialists assess visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and peripheral vision; teach techniques like eccentric viewing; and prescribe tools such as white canes, magnifiers and adaptive vehicle equipment. Part 2 Helping Stroke Patients with Vision Loss After a stroke, it’s common to experience hemianopsia, visual neglect, eye movement problems or difficulty processing what you see . These deficits can make dressing, cooking or crossing the street dangerous . Occupational therapists use two main approaches: • Remediation: OTs retrain how you scan and search your environment by practicing left to right eye movements, turning your head widely toward the blind side, and using games or computer software to improve visual scanning . They may place objects on your weaker side and use bells or high contrast targets to encourage you to look there • Compensation: OTs adapt your environment and teach techniques that make use of your better vision. They might rearrange furniture, add contrast to doorways and steps, use anchoring lines at the edge of a page to help with reading, and train you and your family on how to place items within your field of view . To support vision loss more broadly, OTs recommend low tech aids like bright tape on stairs, handheld magnifiers, large print labels and improved lighting, as well as high tech tools such as smartphones with accessibility features, smart speakers and video magnifiers . They also involve caregivers to practice strategies at home, which improves functional outcomes . Part 3 Working Together with Low Vision Optometrists Vision rehabilitation begins with a comprehensive eye exam by a low vision optometrist, who diagnoses the cause of vision loss and develops a treatment plan . Occupational therapists, physical therapists and optometrists work as a team, sharing information and adjusting the plan as your needs change . Research shows that interprofessional rehabilitation including optometry, occupational therapy, physical therapy and other specialists yields better outcomes for patients with brain injuries . In practice, your optometrist may prescribe prism glasses or electronic magnifiers, and your occupational therapist will teach you how to use them effectively during daily activities. OTs also provide feedback to the optometrist about what’s working and what’s not, ensuring your rehabilitation plan stays personalized and effective . Occupational therapy is a key part of low vision rehabilitation, helping you adapt to vision changes after stroke or from conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy. By training your brain to use your remaining vision, modifying your environment and coordinating with low vision optometrists, OTs empower you to stay safe, independent and engaged in the activities you love. If you’re struggling with vision after a stroke or another eye condition, ask your eye doctor about a referral to a low vision occupational therapist. Thank you for watching. Please like, subscribe and share this video with anyone who might benefit from learning about low vision rehabilitation. https://lowvisioncalgary.com/book-low...