Low Vision Rehabilitation

On October 19, 1999, Carl Kupfer, director of the National Eye Institute, said at the launch of the institute’s National Low Vision Program:

“The impact of low vision on a person’s quality of life can be devastating, but people should not accept the statement that nothing could be done about their low vision. People with low vision can improve their quality of life through vision rehabilitation services to teach them how to use their remaining vision more effectively. Using a variety of visual and adaptive aids may bring them back or help them keep their independence.”



In 2001 there were 135 million visually impaired people worldwide, and that figure will have increased since. In fact, experts agree the total number of visually impaired is expected to increase dramatically in the next 50 years. Fourteen million or 1 in every 20 Americans are visually impaired, but only around 120,000 are totally blind or have only light perception. This means the majority of visually impaired patients have significant residual vision and most may benefit from low vision rehabilitation. If you have visual impairment, please ask your optometrist or ophthalmologist about low vision rehabilitation. A practitioner with the requisite skills in low vision testing and analysis can provide the resources needed to restore the freedom and independence you may once have considered lost.

Also in October 1999, the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology called for Medicare coverage of low vision rehabilitation services. Many Medicare members now have policies in place that cover some of the vision rehabilitation services and your eye care practitioner can advise you on this.

Remember that help is available and it just takes a visit to your optometrist or ophthalmologist to get it.