Low Vision Certificate Series

Vision deficits are common after a neurological diagnosis. The incidence of vision change status following a stroke, TBI, concussion, Parkinson's or Multiple Sclerosis is estimated between 50-90% (Ekker, et al., 2017, and Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, 2018). While the incidence of vision change status post diagnosis of a neurological disease is high, vision rehabilitation is performed by a small number of therapists. Vision deficits are commonly reported but not always treated. Current research highly correlates vision deficits with falls, imbalance, and loss of function.

This course will provide occupational and physical therapists in all settings the tools to incorporate vision rehabilitation into their sessions with the neurological patient. Practical and highly effective treatments will be provided to improve confidence and success in treating neurological patients with vision deficits.

• Immediately improve your patient's endorsed dizziness, nausea, imbalance, and/or reading difficulties
• Easy-to-use assessment and treatments for all settings that address vision change status after a neurological diagnosis

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.

• 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

Low vision is defined as visual impairment that cannot be corrected with standard refractive, therapeutic, or surgicalmethods. Physical and occupational therapy play an integral role in improving functional independence and enhancing remaining vision to prevent or minimize disability. Twelve million Americans are living with age-related macular degeneration and 3.36 million Americans are living with Glaucoma; two of the most common eye diseases resulting in low vision and blindness in older adults. Visual impairment in older adults often leads to negative impacts on overall health and significant difficulty with ADLs

This workshop will provide attendees with the skillsneeded to effectively assess and treat those affected by low vision. This course aims to add value to clinical practice and clients overall health by improving objectively measured outcomes, increasing ADL independence, preventing falls, and functional decline. This workshop employs a wide varietyof teaching and learning methods to maximize retention and carryover for next-day application into clinical practice. This course  includes problem-based learning, handson labs, lectures, videos, and interactive discussion. As clinicians, we should always remember that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

• Explain four common age-related and pathologic changes affecting older adults that result in low vision.
• Employ five assessment tools to identify vision related impairments resulting in mobility disability or fall risk.
• Describe five environmental or home modifications for practical application of vision loss that can immediately improve function and prevent accidents.
• Implement five evidence-based treatment strategies for next-day clinical application.
• Summarize three all-inclusive lifestyle changes to prevent vision loss and functional decline.
• Integrate effective clinical reasoning into treatment plans through interactive case study problem-based learning.