Low-vision rehabilitation therapy helps with age-related macular degeneration
UCI Health specialist teaches sufferers to use peripheral vision to improve quality of life
IN THE NEWS: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) impacts the central vision in one or both eyes while peripheral vision ― what can be seen above, below and to the side without turning the head ― remains intact.
Nilima Tanna, a low-vision occupational therapist with the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, spoke with WebMD about low-vision rehabilitation therapy and how it can people maintain their independence while living with AMD.
“Most of the people who have AMD complain about not being able to see faces, watching TV, and reading for information or pleasure (including on computers and phones). Learning to see with your side vision teaches you to use the vision you have left to get better at doing these things.”
Tanna also discussed the types of therapy she provides to patients with AMD in both eyes.
“We teach patients about which position of the eye gives them the blurriest view and how to move that blurry part out of the way. This helps them to develop a ’sweet spot’ for each activity, where they can see a little better by not moving their head and keeping their eyes steady.”
Lastly, she spoke about how low-vision rehabilitation therapy can improve overall quality of life.
“Therapy really does positively impact people's quality of life. They have a better understanding of why they don't see well and they learn what they can do about it. That’s why educating them about their blind or blurry spots is critical.”
Tanna is an occupational therapist who specializes in low-vision rehabilitation. She works with patients whose vision cannot be improved with glasses, contact lenses or other standard treatments, such as medicine or surgery.
Rehabilitation at UCI Health is individualized to the patient’s needs and interests, such as reading, writing or participating in hobbies.
Make an appointment at the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute by calling 949-824-2020.
About UCI Health
UCI Health is one of California’s largest academic health systems and the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Established on July 1, 1976, UCI Health has grown into a 1,461-bed health system that includes UCI Health — Orange, UCI Health — Irvine, four Community Network hospitals and a growing network of ambulatory care centers across Orange and Los Angeles counties. As Orange County’s only academic health systems, UCI Health is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center based in the county, the region’s only American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, American College of Emergency Physicians Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department and a nationally recognized regional burn center verified by the American Burn Association. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people across Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County through excellence in patient care, research and medical education. Follow UCI Health on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.