What Is Vision Rehabilitation?
Vision rehabilitation is a term used to describe the therapy that may be given to the eyes following surgery or an injury. Vision rehabilitation may aid in improving the quality of the vision. It is a medical therapy that may be done to improve vision or increase vision in case of poor vision. Most of the therapy aims to correct the defects that may not be entirely rectified by surgery or by using spectacles. Since optimal vision plays an important role in overall day-to-day activities, therapies like this help in living life to the fullest.
Most vision rehabilitation therapy aims at physical and neurological corrections through various procedures and exercises. Rehabilitation cannot reverse the entire damage done to the eyes. Instead, it focuses on increasing the function through adaptation. Rehabilitation can be of various types such as motor rehabilitation and physical rehabilitation. The type of rehabilitation that will be chosen is based on the condition or the injury that is to be treated. This rebuilding of vision through therapies can be achieved by the usage of additional devices or even exercises.
How Can Vision Rehabilitation Help?
Since vision rehabilitation is provided to patients with compromised vision, it may help them to perform their day-to-day activities such as:
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It may aid in navigation within the house.
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Being self-reliant in day-to-day activities such as taking medications, cooking, and personal grooming.
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Helping to read and write with comparative ease.
Why Is Vision Rehabilitation Necessary?
Vision rehabilitation not only aids in improving vision but also helps in the overall improvement of the quality of life. People with low vision may be at a greater risk of facing emotional difficulties and accidents than their normal counterparts. Studies comparing the adaptability of people before and after vision therapy shows greater improvement in their functionality. After receiving vision rehabilitation, there has been a marked improvement in the quality of life and the standard of living.
What Are the Various Types of Vision Rehabilitation?
The neurological approach and physical approach are the two types of rehabilitation. The type of rehabilitation that may be needed varies from case to case. Sometimes a combination of both types may be needed to achieve the best results. The two types of rehabilitation are as below:
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Neurological Approach: Various neurological approaches can be used to modify vision. In many cases, the vision cannot be restored to previous levels, but further deterioration can be stopped. The various neurological approaches are:
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Chemical Treatments: In most cases, chemical treatment may be used to slow down the process of deterioration. Various neuroprotective drugs may be used to slow down vision loss.
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Gene Therapy: Visual therapy may use DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) as a delivery system. Various genetic therapy can be undertaken to replace faulty genes and to provide better vision.
2. Physical Approach: Physical approach deals with making the patient’s adaptability to the environment easier. Such patients are advised to follow occupational therapy. Occupational therapy aids in improving the living conditions of the patients. The various physical approaches to vision rehabilitation are:
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Mobility Training: This helps patients with visual impairment to move around freely. There are multiple mobility training methods that can be followed. Various smart devices such as talking braille, and virtual reality that makes use of 3-dimensional (3D) sound can be installed and the patient can be trained for it. These devices alert the patients of the various dangers that are surrounding them and help with their mobility.
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Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy can be used to simplify day-to-day procedures. This helps to perform day-to-day activities independently.
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Home Skills Therapy: This form of vision rehabilitation aids in the ease of performing day-to-day home functions. This therapy trains a person with a limited vision of self-care, self-grooming, and other vocational training.
What Are the Steps of Vision Rehabilitation?
Vision rehabilitation achieves the best results when a proper sequence of treatment may be followed. The various steps of vision rehabilitation include:
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Evaluation of the Patient: This step involves the assessment of the patient. It evaluates the condition and the requirement of the patient. It also evaluates the current vision of the patient and the progression of the condition may be assessed.
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Assessment of the Vision: The current strength of the vision should be evaluated in order to determine the course of action. Tests will be done to assess the visual field, visual acuity, and peripheral vision of the patient. The various tests that can be done to assess the vision of the patient include
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Testing of the visual field.
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Perimeters test.
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Tangent screen test.
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Color vision test.
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Contrast sensitivity test.
3. Vision Rehabilitation Training: Following the assessment of the condition, the patient may be called for vision rehabilitation therapy. The duration and intensity of the therapy will be decided based on the severity of the condition. The therapy session may include training the patient in day-to-day activities, and training to use mobile phones and other digital devices. The patient may also be provided with general counseling.
In the case of personnel who are employed, training will be provided according to the requirements. The patient will also be taught to manage situations such as crossing the road, climbing stairs, and making use of public transport. Sometimes an animal guide can also be considered. Training can be given to handling day-to-day activities such as cooking and performing personal chores. At times counseling will also be provided to the family members in order to handle the situation smoothly.
4. Adaptations to Local Environment: For patients with moderate loss of vision, not much modification of the local environment will be required. They might only be requiring mild therapy and local environment orientation. Patients with severe vision loss may need modifications in their surroundings. Technology can be put to use to give additional support to these patients.
5. Devices to Aid in Vision Enhancement: Certain devices can be used to enhance vision in patients with reduced vision. A variety of magnification devices can be used to aid in vision. A magnifying lens or any other similar device can be put to use.
Conclusion
Vision rehabilitation can come as a life changer for many patients. It not only improves vision or prevents deterioration, but it also improves the quality of one's living. Hence it is always better to supplement the regular course of treatment with vision rehabilitation to have an overall optimal vision.
