[Aer-div07] Low Vision List-Serve

Mon Sep 24 13:31:33 EDT 2007

Good Morning,

State Rehab agencies are a good resource for finding LV providers in a
geographic region.  I have asked our Rehab Service f/t Blind to compile
a statewide list of LV providers by polling their teachers and
counselors.  They seem somewhat willing to do this but, of course, will
not give any indication as to the quality or thoroughness of the
providers work. They are not allowed to recommend one provider over
another. You can try asking them how many patients they refer for LV per
year total, and how many went to a specific provider.  Not all
professional groups may be restricted in this manner.

Another option to explore is to ask LV providers who wish to be included
in a referral base to complete a short questionnaire that would identify
their areas of expertise and structure of examination. Not only do
different practitioners have varying skills sets and interests, there
are broad variations in the level of care provided. Guidelines for "best
practice" of low vision care by both AAO and AOA have been written, but
until they are somehow connected to compensation like bullets on E&M
codes there will little incentive to adhere to them. The guidelines
would be a good base for developing a questionnaire.

Sue

Sue Mussatt, RN, CLVT
Nurse Clinician
Dept. of Ophthalmology
University of Missouri-Columbia
One Hospital Drive
Columbia, MO 65212
(573) 882-1029

-----Original Message-----
From: aer-div07-bounces at lists.aerbvi.org
[mailto:aer-div07-bounces at lists.aerbvi.org] On Behalf Of Ellis, Deborah
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2007 11:37 AM
To: Ellis, Deborah; 'Kran, Barry'; 'Leah Gerlach'; 'Robert Mills'; 'Jim
Gandorf'
Cc: 'aer-div07 at lists.aerbvi.org'
Subject: Re: [Aer-div07] Low Vision List-Serve

P.S.  I work with those special populations.  Please include me.

-----Original Message-----
From: Ellis, Deborah
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2007 12:34 PM
To: 'Kran, Barry'; Leah Gerlach; Robert Mills; Jim Gandorf
Cc: aer-div07 at lists.aerbvi.org
Subject: RE: [Aer-div07] Low Vision List-Serve

Excellent!  I definitely agree.

-----Original Message-----
From: Kran, Barry [mailto:KranB at neco.edu]
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2007 12:23 PM
To: Leah Gerlach; Robert Mills; Jim Gandorf
Cc: aer-div07 at lists.aerbvi.org
Subject: Re: [Aer-div07] Low Vision List-Serve

Hi:

This has been a very interesting strand.  To this particular point, let
me add that just as rehabilitative care is not homogenous nor is low
vision care.  Pediatric low vision or functional vision care for
individuals with multiple disabilities or for those with brain injury
are all areas with some overlap but require different skill sets,
knowledge base and desire to work with.  Thus, knowing which schools and
colleges of optometry provide residency training in Low Vision is not
sufficient.  One would also need to know which schools/hospitals offer
post graduate training in the areas of brain injury, special populations
and pediatrics.  Frankly, this would just be a place to start as not all
who train in these programs end up practicing in the respective area.

I think the best way to find docs who are comfortable with any segment
of the spectrum of LV patients is by noted by the local vision
professionals who ultimately see the reports or sit in on the exam.  We
have talked about forming a local list within our AER region and perhaps
this strand will take us from thinking to doing!

Barry

Barry S Kran, OD, FAAO
Associate Professor of Optometry, New England College of Optometry
Chief, Individuals with Disabilities Service, New England Eye Institute
Optometric Director, NE Eye Perkins Low Vision Clinic

Tel (NECO):  617.266.2030 x5365
Tel (NEE Perkins):  617.972.7296
Cell:  774.249.8476
Fax:  617.972.7297

email:  KranB at NECO.edu

Mailing address:
New England College of Optometry
424 Beacon St
Boston, MA  02115

________________________________

From: aer-div07-bounces at lists.aerbvi.org on behalf of Leah Gerlach
Sent: Mon 9/24/2007 7:41 AM
To: Robert Mills; Jim Gandorf
Cc: aer-div07 at lists.aerbvi.org
Subject: Re: [Aer-div07] Low Vision List-Serve

It would most likely be easier to contact the AOA Low Vision Section
Chair for a comprehensive list of all the schools that train in this
area as well as a complete list of all of the AOA Low Vision Section
members. 

Leah Gerlach

630-690-7115 ext 324

Deicke Center for Visual Rehabilitation

www.deicke.org <http://www.deicke.org/>  

________________________________

From: aer-div07-bounces at lists.aerbvi.org
[mailto:aer-div07-bounces at lists.aerbvi.org] On Behalf Of Robert Mills
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2007 4:55 PM
To: Jim Gandorf
Cc: aer-div07 at lists.aerbvi.org
Subject: Re: [Aer-div07] Low Vision List-Serve

Ohio State has program to train Low Vision Optometrists. It takes an
additional year of education and training and internship beyond their
optometry degree. Indiana also has similar program as does program in
Texas where Randy Jose taught. I think Rich Brilliant could be useful
with this Question for west coast .  Greg Good was chair of program at
the Ohio State University. These problems arise because of the question
of liability in our society which has become more liturgic since I
retired 10 Years ago. The Pennsylvania College of optometry also has
program, and an O&M program they should be useful in this discussion.

On Sep 20, 2007, at 11:50 AM, Jim Gandorf wrote:

This question recently came up on the O&M Division List Serve; I am
cross posting to the Low Vision List Serve for your input as well.

FYI, for everyone on the list serve to see your reply click "REPLY TO
ALL"

Subject: Scope of Practice for LVT, VRT, O&M

I would like to ask you for some feedback about low vision aids
recommenced by VRT, LVT and O&M specialists.

According to ACVREP Certification Handbook "the CLVT shall work as part
of an interdisciplinary team with an ophthalmologist and or optometrist
who manages ocular health, provide the clinical low vision examination,
prescribes optical devices and approves treatment plans.".... What about
areas where low vision examination is not available???

 In Colorado field teachers (VRT,O&M,LVT)  introduce our clients to a
variety of low vision aids and let them make the choice of what meets
their needs. Doing so we use our best professional judgment.

What about other states? How do you handle this? 

It would be nice to have more clarification from ACVREP about scope of
work for VRT, LVT, O&M  when and where clinical low vision examination
is not available. 

Thank you for your response.

Jadwiga Brown COMS, RT
Denver Metro Rehabilitation Office
2211 W Evans Ave Bldg A
Denver, CO 80223
Email: jadwiga.brown at state.co.us
Phone: (303) 866-3910
Fax: (303) 866-3419

Jim

==========================================

Jim Gandorf, CAE

Executive Director

AER

1703 N. Beauregard St., Ste 440

Alexandria, VA 22311

jgandorf at aerbvi.org

703-671-4500 ext 205

SAVE THE DATE!

AER International Conference 2008
Chicago: My AER Kind of Town
July 22-27, 2008 - Chicago Downtown Marriott

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