Low vision aids training in the home

In a continuing effort to better serve the low vision community, The Center for the Partially Sighted has developed an in-home low vision aids training (LVAT) program. Of interest to anyone working in the field of low vision is a description of our training materials and methodology, and a discussion of the efficacy of this program.

The previous literature on low vision was evaluated and organized into an orderly program geared toward the visual rehabilitation of low vision patients.

Implementation of LVAT in the home began as a pilot project directed toward patients with macular degeneration who have begun reading as a primary goal of rehabilitation.

Successful vision rehabilitation with low vision devices can be accomplished with proper training. Typically the exam does not allow ample opportunity to ensure that a patient is proficient in the use of a device. Follow-up training in the home environment may provide the necessary intervention to maximize patients' comfort and efficiency with low vision devices and their ability to accomplish near point tasks.