How An Occupational Therapist Helps Low Vision Patients
Karen Murphy, O.T.R., with low vision aids in Kellogg’s
Independent Living Skills Center.
The kitchen table is set with plates, cups and silverware. A microwave, stove and refrigerator are close by, but this kitchen isn’t for making food. It is located in the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center Low Vision Clinic, and instead of a chef, the professional who works there is occupational therapist Karen Murphy.
So why is there a kitchen in an eye clinic? Murphy says her role at the University of Michigan, Kellogg Eye Center is like other occupational therapists, focusing on function and how she can help the low vision patients participate in their activities and communities despite their visual impairment. The kitchen is just one of the settings where she helps people to regain or maintain their independence with their activities of daily life.
For patients who live in Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities, Murphy can provide rehabilitation in the home which may include environmental and safety evaluations. Once areas have been identified that facilitate or inhibit participation, safety and independence, recommendations and modifications are provided. For example, the therapist may recommend adding lighting and contrast to increase visibility in the environment or removing a hazard to reduce the risk of falls.
Depending on the patients’ familiarity with their assistive devices, Murphy may work with patients for one or more sessions to provide instruction in the use of the devices such as magnifiers, telescopes, microscopes and software for computers. Technology has had a big impact on helping people with low vision. Murphy says computers, electronic reading devices, iphones and applications all contribute to a fast developing field. She says technology is a “huge breakthrough for people with visual impairment.”
Murphy says that reading is one of the main tasks people with low vision seek help with so they can continue doing it. This may include teaching a person with central vision loss how to use another part of the retina to see letters more clearly when reading a medication label, or teaching a person who has lost vision on one side from a stroke to scan the environment more quickly and completely on the blind side to avoid missing objects, which may hinder safety or the ability to read print
Murphy says that Kellogg’s multi-disciplinary approach works well and having ophthalmologists, low vision optometrists and an occupational therapist in the same clinic promotes earlier referrals for services and allows patients to get services quicker.
She says, “Vision is our primary system to gain information from the world.” When someone loses their vision it impacts how they move around in the world. Having an occupational therapist as part of the team, supports patients doing their everyday activities by helping them to regain or maintain their independence.”
Low Vision Clinic call: 734-764-5106
Rehabilitative services, including magnification devices and occupational therapy
