While the Eye Institute aims to improve and restore vision where possible, many people suffer from visual impairments that are not correctable by standard glasses, contacts, medications or surgery and that interfere with the ability to perform everyday activities. In fact, irreversible vision loss affects one out of every 20 people in America.

An important part of the Eye Institute’s mission is to teach patients how to function with low vision. The emphasis is on helping patients make the most of their remaining sight and maintain or regain a higher quality of life.

The professional staff at the Eye Institute Vision Rehabilitation program works closely with patients to create long-range plans for remaining independent. Our occupational therapist helps patients tap into community resources and acquire and use low-vision aids such as:

  • Magnification devices
  • Adaptive lighting
  • Telescopes
  • Large-print reading materials
  • Talking assistive devices
  • Speech-synthesized devices
  • Closed circuit television

Because the Eye Institute is a center for research, patients in the Vision Rehabilitation program often have access to the latest low-vision technologies. Several patients in the program recently received the implanted macular telescope (IMT), an investigational vision aid that is actually implanted inside the eyeball.