Low Vision Identification, Assessment, and Treatment to Maximize Functional Skills

An estimated 285 million people are currently suffering from low-vision and visual impairment impacting their daily tasks world-wide (Zetterlund, Lundqvist, & Richter, 2019). In the United States alone these deficits are costing over 16 billion in healthcare dollars which carries a significant burden for patients (Shah et al, 2018). As rehabilitation professionals we have the unique opportunity to identify ways to maximize a patients' function and reduce burden of care. This course will aim to better equip therapists in the understanding of low vision diagnoses and how to service this population in orderto maximize function safely.

This course will focus on the ability select appropriate functional evaluations for their discipline in order to modify and establish treatment plans for the low vision patient. Immediate-use resources will be identified for therapists toimplement next-day in clinic for treatment effectiveness. Participants to this course will be able to identify the common low vision diagnoses impacting patient function. Participants will leave understanding the link between balance and visionwill be defined with patient risk factors discussed fortherapists to better identify "at-risk" clientele and grow their practice.

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants

Highlights

• Immediately identify treatment resources and strategies to maximize your patient's function and safety
• Standardized tests which produce data on vision and functional performance skills including balance and ADLs