Low vision rehabilitation: current perspectives

Abstract

Enzo Maria Vingolo, Vittoria De Rosa, Daniela Domanico, Federico Anselmucci  Department of Ophthalmology, University La Sapienza of Rome, Terracina, Italy Abstract: Quality of life in low vision patients is deeply conditioned by their visual ability, and increased rates of depression, domestic injury, and need for caregiver assistance can be expected as a result of low performance. Much effort have been made recently in order to develop new tools and aids for rehabilitation of low vision, and this research has led to better knowledge of visual function and increased the likelihood of new therapies in the future. Modern low vision rehabilitation is the result of recent advances in science and technology, and will soon have an important role in people with vision impairment, numbers of whom are likely to increase, give the increasing age of the population. This review outlines scientific developments in low vision rehabilitation based on a search of the literature, covers the role of digital technology and advances in neurofunctional rehabilitation, and the possibility of restoring vision by use of retinal prostheses and cellular therapy. Keywords: AMD, retinal dystrophy, biofeedback training, retinal prosthesis, stem cells