Occupational Therapy’s Role in Low Vision: A Doctoral Capstone Experience

Abstract

Low vision is a prevalent condition found in the aging population. Occupational therapists hold a unique skillset in which they are able to assess and treat low vision, however due to lack of education, training, and confidence it is often dismissed in practice. Therefore, the purpose of this doctoral capstone was to develop and implement a low vision program to increase the quality of low vision care being provided to residents in subacute low vision programs. In order to determine program specifics, the capstone student designed and implemented a low vision survey via Qualtrics. From the results of the Qualtrics survey the student designed the “Low Vision Assessment and Treatment Resource for Occupational Therapists” which included topics surrounding eye anatomy and age-related conditions, low vision assessments, low vision interventions, sample goals, community resources and a case study. Five narrated PowerPoints surrounding the same topic were also designed and distributed via Email. After distribution of the designed program a post survey was completed to determine program success. Respondents reported knowledge on low vision causes increased from a mean of 3.56/5 to 3.72/5, while confidence assessing and implementing low vision interventions increased from 3.03/5 to 3.07/5 and 3.28/5 to 3.52/5, respectively. Successful implementation of the capstone process was the first step in narrowing the gap of high-quality low vision care being provided. Additional training and education in low vision is needed in occupational therapy curriculums in order for practitioners to feel more confident in addressing low vision in the occupational therapy process.