Eye Care

Eye Care / Visual Function

Seasons of Life in Disability Eye Care
Presenters: Greg Waldorf, OD, MPH, FAAO, Associate Dean for Clinical Programs, MCPHS School of Optometry and Dot Tolls, OD Center for Eye Care Southeastern Massachusetts, New England College of Optometry Developmental Disabilities Services, The Eye and Vision Center MCPHS School of Optometry

All people need lifelong eye care. This is especially true for those with developmental disabilities for whom there are not only boundaries to receiving routine eye evaluation but also misconceptions about why it matters. In this lecture, we will discuss the importance of ocular evaluation, diagnoses, and management strategies at every stage of life in the patient with developmental disability.
CEUs: 1 ACVREP; Certificates of Attendance by request
Length: 61 minutes
REGISTER to view this free session. Please Note: The date you will see when registering for the "Focus" Talk is the date that the presentation was recorded. All "Focus" Talks are available for viewing immediately after registration.

Orientation and Mobility (O&M) and the Visual Behaviors of Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment
Presenters: Lisa Miller, MS. Ed, TVI, COMS, CLVT, Perkins School for the Blind
and Kristen Clark, M.Ed., COMS, Perkins School for the Blind

Addressing Orientation and Mobility skills is a required component of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) for individuals who are visually impaired. In this workshop, the presenter will describe the visual behaviors of Cortical/Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) in relation to Orientation and Mobility and considerations for assessment for individuals with CVI. Individuals with CVI may have difficulties which impact visual attention, recognition of people and information in the environment, visual fields, visual clutter and crowding, perception of motion, and visual guidance of the upper and lower limb. These difficulties may impact an individual's participation, engagement and travel in school and in the community as well as unfamiliar places and/or crowded environments.
CEUs: .5 ACVREP; Certificates of Attendance by request
Length: 53 minutes
Resources:
- References (PDF)
REGISTER to view this free session. Please Note: The date you will see when registering for the "Focus" Talk is the date that the presentation was recorded. All "Focus" Talks are available for viewing immediately after registration.

Demystifying and EYE-Dentifying Visual Function and Behaviors
Presenter: Jem Martin, OD, FAAO, New England College of Optometry

This presentation will review common causes of vision loss among individuals with IDD, review symptoms patients may experience, as well as signs that caregivers and family members can look for. Finally, we will discuss the adapted eye examination, how these exams may differ from a typical eye appointment, and resources for eye care in the state of Massachusetts.
CEUs: .5 ACVREP; Certificates of Attendance by request
Length: 52 minutes
REGISTER to view this free session. Please Note: The date you will see when registering for the "Focus" Talk is the date that the presentation was recorded. All "Focus" Talks are available for viewing immediately after registration.

Fifteen Years and Counting: Lessons Learned from a Successful Cataract Surgery Program for People with Intellectual Disability
Presenter: Susannah Rowe, MD, MPH, FACS, Director, Exceptional Vision Service, Vice Chair for Safety and Quality, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Medical Center
and Madhura Shah, BS, Medical Student, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

We will begin by reviewing the natural history of cataracts, how they present in this population, and how they are diagnosed. We will then give an overview of the cataract surgery process, including risks and benefits, and discuss what cataract surgery and post-operative care entails for both the individual and the caregivers. Finally, we will share some of our experiences from the Exceptional Vision Service at BMC, including some anecdotes and lessons learned from interviews with caregivers about their experiences. We will focus on the needs of this population addressing what cataracts are, causes (including syndromes that cause IDD where cataracts are more prevalent), when surgery is indicated, signs and symptoms, how surgery is done, and resources.
CEUs: .5 ACVREP; Certificates of Attendance by request
Length: 32 mintutes
REGISTER to view this free session. Please Note: The date you will see when registering for the "Focus" Talk is the date that the presentation was recorded. All "Focus" Talks are available for viewing immediately after registration.

The Role of Binocular Vision on Learning, Development, and Activities of Daily Living
Presenter: Sarah Williams, OD, FAAO, Assistant Professor of Specialty Care, New England College of Optometry, Attending Pediatric Optometrist, NECO Center for Eye Care

Impairment of the visual system can not only affect development, but also influence the way individuals interact with their surroundings and everyday tasks. A common misconception is that normal “vision” simply means having 20/20 visual acuity and healthy ocular structures. In addition to good optics and healthy ocular structures, a normal visual system requires functional binocular vision and solid informational processing skills. Individuals with disabilities are not only at a higher risk for visual impairment, but also disorders that impact the binocular vision system such as high refractive error, strabismus, amblyopia, and oculomotor dysfunction. This presentation will focus on different binocular vision disorders, how they impact learning and development, and what interventions should be considered for individuals with disabilities.
CEUS: .5 ACVREP; Certificates of Attendance by request
Length: 41 minutes
Resources: Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey PDF / Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey RTF
REGISTER to view this free session. Please Note: The date you will see when registering for the "Focus" Talk is the date that the presentation was recorded. All "Focus" Talks are available for viewing immediately after registration.

"Implicit Bias” Toward Persons with Disabilities and Its Impact on Vision Care
Presenter: Greg R. Waldorf, OD, MPH, FAAO, Associate Dean for Clinical Programs, MCPHS School of Optometry

Implicit bias is part of the human condition that impacts how we interact with others. This lecture will discuss implicit bias and how it can impact our perceptions of individuals with disabilities and vision loss. Understanding implicit bias will help the attendee investigate their own biases and develop strategies to counteract them when it comes to working with individuals with disabilities and visual impairment.
CEUS: .5 ACVREP; Certificates of Attendance by request
Length: 43 minutes
REGISTER to view this free session. Please Note: The date you will see when registering for the "Focus" Talk is the date that the presentation was recorded. All "Focus" Talks are available for viewing immediately after registration.

Glasses: Considerations for People with Developmental Disabilities
Presenter: Greg R. Waldorf, OD, MPH, FAAO, Associate Dean for Clinical Programs, MCPHS School of Optometry

It can be difficult knowing if glasses will help a patient with developmental disabilities. Many things must be considered before getting that prescription filled. This lecture will discuss various eye conditions that glasses can help, but also some of the pitfalls and problems that glasses can create.
CEUS: .5 ACVREP; Certificates of Attendance by request
Length: 44 minutes
REGISTER to view this free session. Please Note: The date you will see when registering for the "Focus" Talk is the date that the presentation was recorded. All "Focus" Talks are available for viewing immediately after registration.