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Low Vision Therapy

North Mississippi Medical Center’s Low Vision Rehabilitation Services are provided by an occupational therapist who has specialty certification in low vision rehabilitation. The therapist evaluates your ability to perform daily tasks and the areas affected by vision impairment. Training is provided in either the home or the clinic, or in some cases both.

Who Can Benefit

A person is considered to have low vision when he is experiencing problems with daily activities because of his vision. You might benefit if you have:

Glaucoma
Macular Degeneration
Cataracts
Diabetic Retinopathy
Stroke
Traumatic Brain Injury

Cost of Services

Medicare and most insurance will cover low vision services when provided by an occupational therapist. Services require a referral from an optometrist, ophthalmologist or your health care provider.

Services

Low Vision Rehabilitation Services can help you make the most of your remaining vision for:

Reading
Paying bills and managing finances
Preparing meals safely
Managing medicine
Preventing falls
Home management
Using computers, tablets, cell phones and other electronic devices
Navigating low lighting, glare and contrast
Leisure activities

Solutions may include:

Training with optical and non-optical devices
Teaching use of remaining vision
Teaching non-visual methods
Use of smart devices

What to Expect

Your first visit may last 1 - 1.5 hours. A followup appointment is often recommended.

What to Bring

Prescription glasses
Something you would like to see or read, such as a book or photos

Meet the Therapist

Cheri Harbour, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, is an occupational therapist who provides Low Vision Rehabilitation at the North Mississippi Medical Center Retina Center in Tupelo. Cheri holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy and a graduate certificate in low vision from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. In 2014, she received her specialty certification in low vision rehabilitation from the American Association of Occupational Therapy—making her one of only two occupational therapists in Mississippi with this certification. Cheri sees patients by referral from their eye care or health care provider.