A Focus on Low Vision- Continuing Education Evening
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A Focus on Low Vision is a continuing education evening hosted by Orthoptics Australia designed to broaden orthoptists’ and allied health professionals’ knowledge of low vision support available in South Australia. The program includes a presentation from SeeWay, an initiative of Guide Dogs delivered in partnership with Guide Dogs SA/NT, highlighting referral pathways and support services for people with low vision. Dr Lynne Loh will present on the identification of Cerebral Vision Impairment in paediatric settings, and Carmel Harris will discuss the role of Functional Low Vision Assessments and when to refer patients for low vision services. The evening aims to strengthen understanding of local services and enhance referral pathways to better support people living with low vision. |
This event will be a hybrid event for those unable to attend in person. For those wishing to attend online, please register online, then contact office@orthoptics.org.au for further information.
Carmel Harris
Carmel Harris is a certified and accredited Orthoptist and has been working with people with vision loss for over 30 years. She is passionate about providing tailor made service delivery to people with vision difficulties to achieve their goals, and improve their quality of life. She understands how a thorough Low Vision Assessment can provide people with information about their eye condition, and provide them access to equipment to enhance their independence so they can continue to do the things they love.
Title:
A functional low vision assessment and recommendations for appropriate aids
Description of Presentation:
The difference between a clinical examination/assessment and a Functional Low Vision Assessment. When is it appropriate to refer a patient for low vision services? Learn why so many people with vision difficulties can benefit from a Low Vision Assessment. Opportunity to learn about many low vision devices that are available, and have the chance to see how they can really make a difference to someone with low vision.
Lynne Loh
Lynne Loh is a UK-trained optometrist holding a Master’s degree in clinical vision science, with over a decade of experience in low vision support across all ages.Lynne's doctoral research focused on developing a comprehensive framework for assessing and supporting students with vision impairment within educational settings. This framework has been implemented in South Australia and aims to shift support for children with vision impairment toward functional vision assessments, rather than relying solely on standard measures of visual acuity and visual fields. She is actively involved in the assessment and diagnosis of children with cerebral vision impairment (CVI) in South Australia, conducts ongoing research into brain-based vision impairment, and publishes in peer-reviewed journals. Lynne is also a Lecturer in the Department of Optometry at Flinders University.
Title:
Learning in the Shadows: Recognising CVI in Educational Settings
Description of Presentation:
This presentation examines the clinical identification and diagnosis of Cerebral Vision Impairment (CVI) in paediatric populations within educational contexts. CVI presents a diagnostic challenge as it is characterised by impaired visual processing rather than ocular pathology, often resulting in normal visual acuity and visual field measures on standard testing. Lynne will discuss the assessment framework and tools used to identify children with CVI and related vision processing deficits, including the integration of functional vision assessments, behavioural observations, and specialised testing methodologies. The presentation will address the diagnostic criteria employed to distinguish CVI and provide practical insights into recognising the often-subtle signs of CVI that are frequently "hiding in the shadows" in classrooms.
Monica Lette
Monica Lette is a registered optometrist and SeeWays Business Development Manager. Monica brings her wealth of experience to SeeWay, having worked extensively in optometric and ophthalmic practices, most recently in referrer relations and professional development management. Monica provides support to eye care practitioners and strategic partners to enable their low vision patients to use SeeWay’s online support network, designed to complement practitioner’s patient care.
Title:
SeeWay - Holistic low vision patient care
Description of Presentation:
A presentation that explores the unmet need that exists for patients with low vision and how SeeWay, an initiative of Guide Dogs, addresses the gap for patients between diagnosis and low vision rehabilitation. The presentation will detail the low vision patient journey and barriers to accessing support and how SeeWay helps bridge the gap, providing accessible, lifestyle support that improves lifestyle outcomes for patients and complements the care delivered by eye health professionals. An workshop will follow to demonstrate the interactive SeeWay website and the pathway into support services, including those provided by Guide Dogs SA/NT.
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