Vision Rehabilitation
Highlighted Findings and Recommendations for Care
- Ophthalmologists are encouraged to provide information about rehabilitation resources to patients who have vision loss. Vision rehabilitation is not reserved for patients with advanced vision loss or severe loss of visual acuity. Even early or moderate vision loss may result in disability, which can affect visual performance, cause anxiety, interfere with safety and everyday activities, and diminish quality of life.
- Ophthalmologists who subspecialize in providing vision rehabilitation should aim to optimize patients’ reading, daily living activities, safety, participation in their community, and psychosocial well-being despite vision loss. Vision rehabilitation should not only include device recommendations but also address the broader impact of vision loss on patients’ lives.
- Keys to successful vision rehabilitation are the ability to empathize, communicate with sensitivity, and convey hope to patients with vision loss.
Recommendation Grading
Overview
Title
Vision Rehabilitation
Authoring Organization
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Publication Month/Year
December 19, 2022
Last Updated Month/Year
August 9, 2023
Supplemental Implementation Tools
Document Type
Guideline
Country of Publication
US
Document Objectives
Ophthalmologists are encouraged to provide information about rehabilitation resources to patients who have vision loss. Vision rehabilitation is not reserved for patients with advanced vision loss or severe loss of visual acuity. Even early or moderate vision loss may result in disability, which can affect visual performance, cause anxiety, interfere with safety and everyday activities, and diminish quality of life. Ophthalmologists who subspecialize in providing vision rehabilitation should aim to optimize patients’ reading, daily living activities, safety, participation in their community, and psychosocial well-being despite vision loss. Vision rehabilitation should not only include device recommendations but also address the broader impact of vision loss on patients’ lives. Keys to successful vision rehabilitation are the ability to empathize, communicate with sensitivity, and convey hope to patients with vision loss.
Inclusion Criteria
Male, Female, Adult, Older adult
Health Care Settings
Ambulatory
Intended Users
Nurse, nurse practitioner, optician, optometrist, physician, physician assistant
Scope
Management, Rehabilitation
Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)
D014786 - Vision Disorders
Keywords
vision rehabilitation
Source Citation
Jackson ML, Virgili G, Shepherd JD, Di Nome MA, Fletcher DC, Kaleem MA, Lam LA, Lawrence LM, Sunness JS, Riddering AT; American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern Vision Rehabilitation Committee. Vision Rehabilitation Preferred Practice Pattern®. Ophthalmology. 2022 Dec 19:S0161-6420(22)00869-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2022.10.033. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36543605.