Introduction to Low Vision – Part 1

Author: Debra Bennett, ABOC, NCLE-AC

Debra Bennett has no relevant financial relationships to disclose. The content and format of this course is presented without commercial bias and does not claim superiority of any commercial product of service.

Course Description

Age‐related eye diseases, such as cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes, or glaucoma, can result in vision impairment or blindness. As the average age of the American population increases, so will age-related impairments and disease. Assisting patients to cope with problems associated with low vision may prove to be a career path worth pursuing by the eye care professional (ECP). The course covers related diseases and how they progress, as well as patient care and potential treatments.

Course Objectives

• Identify the low vision patient
• Describe how visual acuity and visual fields are measured
• Identify at least four diseases which can lead to vision impairment
• Recognize the symptoms associated with at least four diseases which can lead to vision impairment
• Describe how magnification can help the vision impaired patient
• Compare the various tests that can reveal low vision in a patient

Course Assessment

There is a 40-question test at the end of the course. A successful passing score of 80% is required on all ABO-NCLE continuing education courses in order to earn the designated number of credits. You will know your grade instantly after completing the course.