'OT important for people with low vision'

Manipal: “Occupational Therapy is important in improving functional independence, reducing caregiver burden and improving quality of life of people with low vision,” said Dr Sulatha Bhandary, Prof & Head, Dept of Ophthalmology, KMC and KH, Manipal while inaugurating the two-day workshop on ‘Occupational Therapy in Low Vision Rehabilitation’ here on Tuesday. 

She also emphasized on the need for collaboration among various professionals like ophthalmologists, optometrists and occupational therapists to provide comprehensive and accessible care.

A two-day workshop on ‘Occupational Therapy in Low Vision Rehabilitation’ is being organised by the Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences (SOAHS), MAHE on September 4 and 5 at Manipal. The workshop will be attended by occupational therapy students and practitioners from India and overseas. 

Dr Arun G Maiya, Associate Dean, SOAHS while welcoming the gathering emphasized on the increasing number of people with low vision. “It is common generally among the elderly due to age-related changes in the eye. But due to unhealthy lifestyle, the prevalence is increasing with conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. This problem is also seen in children with other physical or cognitive impairments,” he said. 

Dr Sebestina Anita Dsouza, Prof & Head, Dept. of Occupational Therapy said that the workshop aimed to increase the clinical competencies of occupational therapists to support maximal functional independence and safety of people with low vision. She explained that people with low vision impairments are often neglected as they are not completely blind, but do not have adequate eyesight for their daily activities. 

The primary resource person for the workshop, Dr Kimberly Ann Schoessow is an Assistant Professor at MGH Institute for Health Professions, Boston, USA and also an Adjunct Faculty at Dept. of Occupational Therapy, SOAHS. She is an occupational therapy specialist in low vision rehabilitation. She has extensive clinical expertise and research in this area. The workshop will include aspects of occupational therapy assessment and management specifically for low vision.