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The Low Vision Clinic of Whitaker Rehabilitation Center is a program to evaluate and treat people with a visual impairment whose corrected vision provides some usable vision, but for whom poor vision still interferes with performance of activities of daily living.

An Optometrist or Ophthalmologist refers the patients. They have diagnoses such as the following:

Even with corrected vision, our patients cannot adequately see to do things that make an impact on their independence, such as cooking, reading, writing checks and reading medicine bottles or price tags. Evaluation by an Occupational Therapist in our clinic determines whether there are techniques, eye exercises, or assistive devices that patients could use to better use the vision that they have.

Treatments focus on training patients about adequate lighting, contrast, magnification, exercises, and compensatory techniques for activities of daily living tasks. A low vision evaluation and follow-up training can lead to increased safety and independence in performing activities of daily living, improved ability to interact or socialize in the community, and decreased feelings of frustration and fear caused by limited vision.

There is a branch of the NC Assistive Technology Project in Whitaker where patients may receive equipment on loan to try out before they actually purchase it. Two Activities of Daily Living apartments in Whitaker provide an environment where patients can be trained and they can try out devices in a home-like setting.