1. Downers Grove Clinics
  2. Eye Institute - IL
  3. Our Services
  4. Low Vision & Rehabilitation

Low Vision & Rehabilitation

Low vision is a condition where individuals experience significant visual impairment that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery.

What is Low Vision?

Low vision impacts daily activities, independence, and quality of life. Low vision rehabilitation offers hope by providing tools, strategies, and support to maximize remaining vision and improve functionality and quality of life. Patients can enhance their quality of life, maintain independence, and continue to engage in activities they enjoy. Remember, you are not defined by your vision loss; we are here to help patients adapt and thrive despite it.

What to Expect

Low vision rehabilitation is not a one-time intervention, but a continuous process.  For new patients, all low vision exams begin with an intake and low vision evaluation. The initial visit typically takes approximately 1-2 hours and will include detailed discussion of the patient’s challenges and goals.  In addition, specialty tests and evaluations may be included. At the conclusion of the exam, recommendations and plans for follow-up, device training, or further testing will be discussed and scheduled.  Regular follow-ups with low vision providers ensure that patients receive the necessary support, adaptations, and updates to their rehabilitation plan as their vision changes over time. 

Prevalence

  • Statistics indicate that globally over 285 million people are visually impaired, with 39 million of them classified as blind and 246 million as having low vision. 
  • In the US, large numbers of people over the age of 40 are living with some form of visual impairment, including 1 million who are blind, 3 million who have vision impairment after correction such as glasses or surgery. 
  • Nearly 3 percent of children younger than 18 years are blind or visually impaired
  • Vision impairment is on the rise and is predicted to more than double by 2050 to 8.96 million due to the increasing epidemics of diabetes and other chronic diseases affecting the eyes.

Low Vision Doctors

What are the benefits of low vision rehabilitation? 

Low vision rehabilitation aims to optimize visual functioning and enhance quality of life. Through a multidisciplinary approach involving optometrists, occupational therapists, and other professionals, patients learn techniques to make the most of their remaining vision.

Tools and strategies used in low vision rehabilitation

Patients undergoing low vision rehabilitation may explore various tools, such as magnifiers, telescopes, electronic devices, and lighting modifications, tailored to their individual needs. Additionally, they learn adaptive techniques for activities of daily living, such as cooking, reading, and using technology.

For additional information on assistive technology and other low vision resources, please visit the following links:

Patient Education on Low Vision Tools

The M2000 driving simulator is an innovative tool designed to provide a safe and immersive environment for individuals undergoing driver rehabilitation and training. This cutting-edge simulator offers a unique opportunity for patients to practice driving skills in a controlled setting, allowing them to regain confidence behind the wheel following vision loss, injury, or illness. With its realistic visuals and responsive motion systems, the M2000 enables patients to experience various driving scenarios, from navigating busy city streets to handling challenging weather conditions, all within the confines of a clinic setting. By offering personalized training programs tailored to individual needs, the M2000 empowers patients to improve their driving abilities and ultimately enhance their independence and quality of life. Whether recovering from a stroke, traumatic brain injury, living with vision loss, or other conditions affecting driving skills, patients can benefit from the therapeutic and educational opportunities provided by this state-of-the-art driving simulator.

Magnifiers are commonly recommended to aid in reading small print, such as on medication labels, price tags, and food labels.

Telescopes can be used to see objects at a distance more clearly and may be used for driving in patients that qualify. 

Electronic devices such as  CCTVs, portable electronic magnifiers, and digital magnification apps on smartphones provide additional support for tasks like reading, writing, and viewing images. 

Lighting Modifications including the use of task lighting and glare reduction techniques, help improve contrast and visibility. 

  • Occupational therapists referrals
  • Transportation resources information
  • Talking book information
  • Orientation and mobility referrals

By combining these tools and strategies tailored to individual needs, patients can effectively enhance their visual functioning and regain independence in their daily lives.
 

Our electrodiagnostic services can help provide answers when a diagnosis is elusive and provide more insight into unexplained vision loss, hereditary eye disorders, and early medication toxicity.

Midwestern offers a comprehensive collection of electrodiagnostic services, including multifocal electroretinogram.

Meet Our Attending Doctors