F Weinholtz
Instituto de Oftalmologia Dr. Gama Pinto, Low Vision Department, Lisbon, Portugal
PURPOSE: Promote better quality of life of the visually impaired persons
METHODS - Team work composed by:2 ophthalmologists,orthoptist,teacher of special education, technician of special education and rehabilitation, psychologist, 2 nurses and social worker.
The Institute of Ophthalmology Dr. Gama Pinto, through the Low Vision Department, over the last 13 years, is developing an innovating project related with the early rehabilitation of persons with visual impairment/handicap, in several areas, such as Early Intervention, Orientation and Mobility, Daily Living Activities, visual perception stimulation, reading and writing using optical aids, psychological and educational support, promotion and integration in employment . Our main purpose with this multidisciplinary program is to promote a better quality of life and a proper inclusion of the visually impaired persons in the society.
RESULTS:
We have treated, trained and rehabilitated 3.000 patients during the period of 13 years. All children have been integrated in normal schools; some young adults have been trained and integrated in the employment; older subjects have been successfully trained in reading and learning programs with optical and electronic devices.
CONCLUSIONS:
With this project in this Institute, we have projected internationally the experience of an attending, on a hospital context, of the low-vision persons, at any age. In this project was also contemplated the information/ formation of the community, in order to change attitudes. It was also established a network between several institutions dedicated to subjects with low vision, in order to share experiences. At this moment we are still developing a scientific investigation concerning the maximisation of low vision using colour and light.
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