Visual Rehabilitation for Adults:  Strategies to Improve Overall Function and Reduce Fall Risk

This is a private course for Fairview Rehab Services Only

Fairview rehabilitation Services in collaboration with PESI

Instructor:

Robert Constantine, OTR/L is an occupational therapist with over 25 years of experience in the fields of visual and neurological rehabilitation. Mr. Constantine is employed by the Pearl Nelson Child Development Center, where he focuses on the treatment of eye movement disorders in neurotypical and special needs children as well as adult stroke, TBI and concussion survivors. Mr. Constantine’s passion leads him to intensive studying of the visual system and continuous searches for new, evidence-based interventions to improve patient outcomes. Robert has had training from the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, a unique interdisciplinary organization that brings together the tools of optometry, occupational and physical therapy to improve outcomes for patients with neurological diagnoses. He was previously the only occupational therapist to be a member of the High-Performance Vision Associates, an elite group of sports vision optometrists. As such, Mr. Constantine has participated in sports vision screenings at IMG Academy, Hendricks Motorsports, and on the LPGA tour. He has also developed and marketed drag-racing specific glasses that have been successful in NHRA Sportsman drag racing, as well as having worked with elite NHRA racers, golfers, and sporting clays champions.

Speaker Disclosures: Financial: Robert Constantine has employment relationships with CIAO Seminars and Pearl Nelson Child Development Center. He receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations. Non-financial: Robert Constantine has no relevant non-financial relationships. 

Course summary: 

When your patient has vision deficits, even your most tried-and-true therapy protocols can quickly go off the rails, dramatically limiting your effectiveness and halting progress in a variety of frustrating ways:

• Poor performance of tasks/exercises
• Frequent falls
• Avoidance of ADLs
• Increased functional dependence
• Noncompliance with home programs
• Reading/communication problems
• Limited hand-eye coordination
• Gait and posture dysfunction

Here’s the good news. Vision deficits don’t have to limit you or your patients ever again. You’ll learn a powerful framework for vision rehabilitation that has helped countless therapists and their patients overcome these challenges.

Whether your patients are adults with diabetic retinopathy or stroke survivors with vision perception problems, you’ll transform your practice with innovative interventions that accelerate progress for outcomes that will earn you referrals.

Objectives: 

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:

1. Investigate current research supporting the role of vision in function and falls in the adult population.
2. Assess the need for up-to-date eye exams and the best doctors to provide those examinations.
3. Articulate the basic anatomy and physiology of the visual system and the changes that may occur with age.
4. Assess the adult visual system and document appropriately.
5. Develop a treatment plan to improve visual skills.
6. Evaluate common visual diagnosis found in the adult patient.
7. Differentiate between neglect and visual field cuts in neurological patients

Outline: There will be a 15-minute morning and afternoon break.  Lunch will be scheduled from 11:50am – 1:00pm.  

How Vision Deficits Create Unseen Therapy Roadblocks with…

• Neurological disorders
• Stroke
• TBI
• Parkinson’s
• Balance, posture and gait
• ADLs
• Reading, communication and cognition
• Driving

Spot Vision Deficits Early to Avoid Progress Plateaus

• Vision anatomy and its impact on function
• Understanding your patient’s vision complaints and history
• Comprehensive vision assessment, step-by-step
• Questions to ask when a patient is “legally blind” to get useful information about their vision
• Adapt and improve therapy using assessment findings

Game-Changing Vision Rehab Interventions

• Practice proven techniques you can use immediately to:
• Increase safety during ambulation and transfers
• Reduce falls
• Reduce dizziness and motion sensitivity
• Improve posture and gait
• Improve compliance with home exercise
• programs and prescriptions
• Improve performance of ADLs
• Improve reading and communication
• Increase functional independence
• Improve depth perception
• Eliminate double vision
• Improve peripheral awareness
• Expand visual fields

Combine Multiple Approaches More Effectively for Better Outcomes

• Integrate visual, vestibular and proprioception to improve results
• Combine conventional treatment with ocular motor components

Design Advanced, Innovative Plans for Care for Your Adult Patients

• Practice effective strategies for resolving functional deficits caused by:
• Double vision
• Visual field cuts
• Poor spatial awareness

Case Studies: Put Knowledge to Practice

• Case study 1: The question to ask to get to visual causes of dysfunction
• Case Study 2: The role of vision history in current functional ability
• Case Study 3: Recognize the multiple complaints that indicate a faulty visual system

Maximize Your Reimbursement

• Coding and billing updates for vision rehabilitation
• Justify therapy with the right progress measures
• Avoid denials and audits with these tips

 REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE