[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/08\/low-vision-rehabilitation\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/08\/low-vision-rehabilitation\/","headline":"Learn About Occupational Therapy for Low Vision","name":"Learn About Occupational Therapy for Low Vision","description":"You may need specialized occupational therapy because you\u2019re experiencing low vision. Learn more about this type of rehabilitation program.\r\n\r\n\r\n","datePublished":"2017-08-29","dateModified":"2024-01-23","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","name":"UPMC Rehabilitation Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-rehabilitation-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/GettyImages-1273513939-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/GettyImages-1273513939-1.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/08\/low-vision-rehabilitation\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Rehabilitation"],"wordCount":476,"keywords":["low vision","occupational therapy for vision impairment","vision impairment"],"articleBody":"Low vision can cause many problems in your everyday life. But it’s possible to get help.Do you or someone you love have trouble seeing your phone, tablet, or television? What about reading medicine labels or the mail, recognizing faces, or seeing in your environment?Is it difficult to write checks, make lists, or use electronic devices such as cell phones or tablets? Do you avoid leaving home or have trouble navigating in unfamiliar areas because of your vision?If so, you may need more than just a prescription for stronger glasses or contact lenses. You may need specialized\u00a0occupational therapy\u00a0because you’re experiencing low vision.What Is Low Vision?Low vision and vision impairment describe any vision loss that glasses,\u00a0contact lenses, or surgery cannot correct. Certain eye diseases can affect your vision, including:Macular degeneration.Glaucoma.Diabetic retinopathy.Genetic retinal disease.Parkinson’s disease.Stroke\u00a0or visual field impairment.Neuro-related vision impairment, including anoxia.Brain injury.\u201cIt\u2019s easy to let vision impairment stop you from enjoying life,\u201d says Holly Stants, MS, low vision occupational therapy team leader at UPMC.\u201cBut it’s important to know that help is out there. Occupational therapy for low vision rehabilitation can help you gain more independence so you can return to daily activities and a better quality of life.”Low Vision and Vision Impairment Occupational TherapySpecialized occupational therapy is available for those experiencing low vision or vision impairment. This type of rehabilitation can help you use your remaining vision for:Reading and writing.Medicine management.Fall prevention strategies.Community mobility.Home management.Electronic device management, including computers and tablets.Technology, including cell phone use.Navigating low lighting, glare, and contrast.Leisure activities.Work-related tasks.Your low vision optometrist, ophthalmologist,\u00a0primary care doctor, physiatrist or another specialty physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner may refer you to an occupational therapist for low vision rehabilitation.\u201cWhen you begin therapy, we’ll work with you to reach your personal goals,” Holly says. \u201cWe can train you on new strategies and compensatory skills, as well as recommend equipment to help you complete more tasks on your own.”These devices and skills include:Training to use your remaining vision.Electronic devices for magnification.Computer programs or applications for electronic devices.Specialized magnifiers.Strategies to improve your ability to complete everyday tasks.Fall prevention strategies.Community mobility.Strategies for coping with chronic vision impairment.Health management of chronic disease.Family education.Community resource education.\u201cWe will help you improve your quality of life, gain independence, and complete meaningful activities,” Holly says. “We work on the science of living.”Learn more about our low-vision research collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh.To schedule an appointment or learn more, call 1-888-723-4277 or\u00a0visit our website.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on August 29, 2017, and was last reviewed on January 23, 2024."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Learn About Occupational Therapy for Low Vision","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/08\/low-vision-rehabilitation\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]