Do occupational therapists have a primary role in low vision rehabilitation?

Limitations in Mobility: Experiences of Visually Impaired Older People

This paper presents a new insight into the limitations experienced by older people with reduced vision in daily life activities. With an ageing population, increasing numbers of Dutch people are affected by visual impairment. In contrast to other European countries, occupational therapists in the Netherlands do work with this specific group, but little research has as yet been conducted in this field. This study explores in detail the mobility experiences of 10 older people with a visual impairment. Each participant was interviewed twice; the data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Giorgi's method of empirical phenomenology.

The participants' severely limited mobility clearly influenced their occupational choices, space and independence, with a particularly negative change in activities of daily living. They attended fewer social activities and became more dependent on assistance, which made them anxious. Visual impairments were often misunderstood by others and the absence of facial recognition was experienced as a severe barrier to social interaction. Some specific difficulties that visually impaired older people may experience are now more transparent, which might inspire occupational therapists in other countries to work in this field.

Training motor skills of children with low vision

The aim of this study was to study the effectiveness of a motor training program for visually impaired children. 40 children with low vision took part in the study. 20 children (10 boys, 10 girls), mean age 8:9 yr.:mo. (SD= 1:6), were in a Training group and 20 children (10 boys, 10 girls), mean age 8:10 yr.:mo. (SD= 1:65), were in a Home Training group. The Snellen Chart and Bruininks Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test were used for assessment. Training program included training balance, coordination, strength, visuomotor control, and finger dexterity. Significant differences were found on all skills after training in the Training group, but no significant differences were observed, other than visual motor control, in the Home Training group. Children with low vision have some useable vision and learning to use the available vision depends on proper rehabilitation.