Living with Low Vision: Continuing Education Unit Event

Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences

Living with Low Vision
 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Event

 On March 13^th, 2021, Miami Lighthouse and Nova Southeastern University (NSU) brought occupational and physical therapists from around the United States together for an engaging continuing education seminar on living with low vision.

For the past 13 years, Miami Lighthouse has educated professionals in the fields of occupational and physical therapy on low vision. In 2021, NSU collaborated with Miami Lighthouse to continue this tradition.

Participants logged in via Zoom for a day of innovative presentations on topics­ – Orientation and Mobility/Fall Prevention, Cortical Visual Impairment, and Adaptive Aids for those living with low vision; additionally, a panel of teachers of the visually impaired shared their expertise on how to educate children with visual impairments and the strategies they use in the field. Nova Southeastern University’s optometrists – Hua Bi, O.D., Ph.D., FAAO, gave an informative presentation on visual processing within the central nervous system and Samantha McIntosh, O.D., provided a presentation on common eye conditions/diseases and their effect on function.

Participants remarked that the day was informative, engrossing, well organized and they would look forward to participating in future continuing education unit (CEU) events.

Outcomes

1. 100% of CEU seminar participants reported being either very satisfied or satisfied with the organization of the conference.
2. 98% of CEU seminar participants reported being very satisfied or satisfied with the relevance of the topics chosen for the conference.
3. 98% of CEU seminar participants reported being either very satisfied or satisfied with the relevance of conference to their current work.
4. 98% of CEU seminar participants reported that the content of the seminar matched the course objectives.
5. 98% of CEU seminar participants reported satisfaction with the extent they acquired information.
6. 100% of CEU seminar participants were satisfied with the expertise of the presenters.
7. 98% of CEU seminar participants were satisfied with the information they acquired during the seminar.
8. 98% of CEU seminar participants were satisfied with their ability effectively work with low vision clients.

Pre/Post Test

• 100% of program participants improved in their pre/post

For additional information please contact, Helene Lieberman, M.S., OTR/L, clinical instructor, at 954-262-1216 or 954-262-4186, or Carol Brady-Simmons, COMS, chief program officer, at 786-362-7480.

Raquel Van Der Biest, B.S., OTR/L, CLVT, occupational low vision therapist, and Miami Lighthouse Academy student work on fine motor skills.

 Scott Gartner, O.D., optometrist, shows Miami Lighthouse senior patients how to use electronic handheld magnifier.

John Garcia, L.D.O, manager of Vision Solutions Center, showing products to Miami Lighthouse client.

Ashlee Partin, B.A., COM/TVI, visually impaired and orientation instructor and mobility specialist, working with a student on a Brailler to increase fine motor skills.