Vision Rehabilitation Services

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is proud to announce expanded vision rehabilitation services at our University Station location.

Our clinic provides multidisciplinary services with optometry, occupational therapy, and social work. Appointments include a functional vision evaluation to better understand how you are doing with your remaining useful vision. With that information, we provide recommendations for tools and various resources for living your best life with vision loss. We aim to enhance visual function with adaptive changes, magnifiers, telescopes, electronic devices, filters, lighting and contrast.

Occupational therapy services include a fully functional rehabilitation room equipped with a kitchenette, driver’s assessment, Dynavision, various video magnifiers, and many other tools to improve your skills to compensate for your vision loss. The occupational therapist can address aspects of your life and health that are being affected by your vision, work with you on skills to maintain independent living, and train on any recommended low vision aids. This training may include eccentric viewing, scanning, tracking, and other rehabilitation services.

Social work services are integrated into our appointments to address all aspects of life affected by vision loss. Our social worker meets with patients to understand lifestyle changes and psychosocial impacts to help them create a plan for better rehabilitative outcomes.

Low vision aids that are recommended by your specialist are available for purchase at the UW Health Optical Shop at the University Station Eye Clinic. We carry top brand names such as Cocoons, Eschenbach Optik, Vispero, Designs for Vision, Chadwick Optical, FL-41 filters, and Brain Power Incorporated filters. For patients who require a tinted contact lenses for light sensitivity, we are able to fit you and order lenses from Adventure in Colors.

We also work closely with the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired (WCBVI) for in-home services, devices at their low vision store, white cane, and orientation mobility services as well as adaptive technology services. You can also sign up for support groups as well as Zoom training and education on the WCBVI website.

If you are interested in receiving vision rehabiliation services but are unsure if your insurance will cover it, please contact your insurance to confirm your specific coverage.