Low Vision Occupational Therapy Powers Your Gateway to Independence

When your vision becomes blurry, it’s usually an indicator that you need to visit your eye doctor.  Often, your problem can be easily corrected by updating your glasses or contact prescription. 

But when the problem can’t be fixed, you or your loved one may have low vision. To help you remain as independent as possible, low vision occupational therapy strives to teach you the new skills you need to function.

At Brunswick Cove, we understand that many older adults experience changes, such as low vision, that make it difficult for their loved ones to care for them at home. This not only causes caregiver fatigue, but it also saturates your life with worry. 

Through our skilled nursing and occupational therapy, we’ll step into the role of caregiver to put your mind at ease—and so you can return to your role as son or daughter or spouse. We invite you to schedule a tour to see why so many of our residents love living at our skilled nursing community in Winnabow. 

Next, we’ll take a look at what low vision is before we go into detail about the benefits of low vision occupational therapy.

What Is Low Vision?

Low vision is a condition that makes it difficult to see and participate in everyday activities such as reading, driving and watching television. In some cases, low vision may be so severe that it can be difficult to tell colors apart or even recognize faces. Low vision cannot be corrected with glasses, contacts, medication or surgery.

An estimated 4 million Americans have low vision.

What Happens During Occupational Therapy for Low Vision?

Occupational therapists (OTs) have specialized training in providing various methods of rehabilitation therapy to help those with low vision. These are all aimed at helping patients make daily tasks easier. 

Some of these techniques involve:

• Eccentric viewing = In this exercise, your OT will ask you to look using your peripheral vision instead of your central visual field. 
• Visual tracking = In this technique, your eyes will focus on an object moving across your visual field.
• Visual scanning = This method involves searching an area in a certain order, such as top to bottom. 
• Technology = You may be trained on the use of accessibility options on iPads, other tablets and computers.

Our occupational therapists may also suggest the following to make your home safer:

• Non-skid bath mats
• Grab bars in the tub or shower
• Bright stickers at key locations or settings around your kitchen
• Removing throw rugs
• Non-skid socks or slippers
• Good lighting
• Sturdy step railings

What Are the Benefits of Low Vision Occupational Therapy?

There are several benefits, with most of them centered around restoring your independence. We’ve outlined a few of them below:

• Training on visual tools: This could mean tablets or specialized magnifiers, which can help compensate for low vision 
• Learning compensatory strategies: This includes using adequate lighting or contrasting colors to help make the most out of your remaining vision.
• Maintaining a safe environment: As we mentioned earlier, this means removing tripping hazards and having grab bars readily available.
• Returning to some of the activities you enjoy: While some activities, like driving, may no longer be safe, many hobbies and meaningful activities can often be adapted so you can continue to enjoy them. 

Are There Different Types of Low Vision?

There are several types of low vision. They include:

• Central (when you can’t see things in the center of your field of vision)
• Peripheral (inability to see out of the corner of your eyes)
• Night blindness
• Blurry vision

Is There Treatment for Low Vision?

There is no cure for low vision—glasses/contacts, medicine or surgery are not effective. Your care plan will focus on low vision occupational therapy to help you regain as much independence as is safely possible. 

In certain cases, treating the underlying condition that caused low vision can offer some improvement, but low vision can’t be cured entirely. Sometimes there are treatments that, while they cannot reverse the situation, can offer some improvement and prevent your remaining vision from getting worse. 

What Are Common Conditions That Cause Low Vision?

Your overall care plan will largely depend on the condition that caused your low vision. Some of these conditions can include:

• Macular degeneration
• Cataracts
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Glaucoma
• Eye injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Genetic conditions
• Retinitis pigmentosa
• Detached retinas

It’s important to note that even though low vision is more common in older adults, aging itself is not the cause of low vision. 

Let Brunswick Cove Demonstrate That Independence Is Within Reach

Not all of our residents are with us long-term. Some are seeking rehabilitation after a joint replacement, stroke, or traumatic accident. Still others, like those with low vision, can benefit from our occupational therapy.  

At many skilled nursing communities, you may struggle to reach someone who will listen to you. This is not only frustrating, but it also causes anxiety as your concern for your loved one grows. Brunswick Cove is family-owned; you won’t have to be caught in a “phone tree” to get in touch with someone who cares. Our residents do more than merely recover—they thrive. We invite you to take a tour and see for yourself.