OT in the Home: Interventions for Low Vision
Presented by Krista Covell-Pierson
Low vision is a growing public health concern that significantly impacts safety, independence, and quality of life—particularly in the home. Occupational therapy practitioners are uniquely positioned to provide functional, client-centered interventions that address visual impairments in real-life environments. This course explores the role of OT in assessing and treating low vision in the home setting, with a focus on practical strategies such as lighting optimization, contrast enhancement, magnification tools, and environmental adaptations. Participants will learn how to administer standardized and therapist-friendly assessments, develop compensatory strategies, and create tailored patient education materials. Grounded in occupational therapy models and clinical guidelines, this course equips practitioners with the tools to improve participation and reduce fall risk for individuals with low vision. It is appropriate for OT professionals working in home health, community-based settings, or outpatient care.
Learning Objectives
- Identify common home safety concerns and daily living challenges experienced by clients with low vision
- Recognize three low vision assessment tools that can be used to guide occupational therapy evaluation and intervention planning in the home
- List compensatory strategies—including lighting, contrast, magnification, and environmental adaptations—used to enhance occupational performance for individuals with visual impairments
- Select client-centered goals that address participation in meaningful occupations such as medication management, meal preparation, or reading in the context of low vision
Meet your instructor
Krista Covell-Pierson
Krista Covell-Pierson is the owner and founder of Covell Care and Rehabilitation, an innovative mobile outpatient practice designed to help adults and older adults live safer, more independent, and engaged lives at home and in their communities. She developed this one-of-a-kind model from the ground up, integrating…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Why Occupational Therapy at Home for Low Vision?
This chapter introduces the scope and impact of low vision, including its most common causes and functional consequences. It highlights why OT intervention in the home is essential for maximizing safety and independence, using models such as PEO and MOHO to frame clinical reasoning. The benefits of in-home assessment for tailoring environmental modifications and fostering sustained behavior change are emphasized.
2. Where Do We Start?
Learners will explore how low vision affects common daily activities, from reading and medication management to mobility and emotional well-being. This chapter reviews key visual diagnoses—such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy—and connects these conditions to specific functional challenges in the home. Guidance is provided on building a toolkit for assessment and intervention.
3. Assessments to Use in the Home for Low Vision
This chapter covers three low vision assessments suitable for home-based OT practice, including the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire, the Revised Self-Report Assessment of Functional Visual Performance, and the Amsler grid. Clinicians will learn how to interpret results, develop client-centered goals, and use assessment data to guide treatment planning.
4. Treatment Interventions
In this chapter, learners will discover targeted intervention strategies for common low vision diagnoses, with a strong emphasis on compensatory techniques and assistive technology. Topics include eccentric viewing training, environmental modifications, and home safety adaptations. Real-world examples illustrate how to scale interventions to client needs using both low- and high-tech solutions.
5. Where Do We Go From Here?
The final chapter outlines how to support patients beyond discharge through education, referrals, and ongoing access to low vision resources. Learners will explore how to create a roadmap for patients, communicate modifications to care teams, and maintain professional development in the field of low vision. The importance of long-term follow-up and advocacy is reinforced.
More courses in this series
OT in the Home: Guided Safety and Environmental Assessments
Krista Covell-Pierson
OT in the Home: Foundations of Assistive Tech and Equipment
Krista Covell-Pierson
OT in the Home: Interventions for Low Vision
Krista Covell-Pierson
OT in the Home: Addressing Progressive Neurological Conditions
Krista Covell-Pierson
OT in the Home: Managing Chronic Pain and Fatigue
Krista Covell-Pierson
OT in the Home: Pelvic Health Strategies for General Practitioners
Krista Covell-Pierson
OT in the Home: Addressing Depression, Anxiety, and Isolation
Krista Covell-Pierson
OT in the Home: Reducing Caregiver Burden and Connecting Resources
Krista Covell-Pierson
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Medbridge courses.
Who creates Medbridge courses?
We work with industry-leaders, top researchers, and consultants to build content roadmaps that are then structured into courses, filmed, and edited by our production team before being launched to our site.
How often does Medbridge release new courses?
New courses are added monthly and are automatically included in your subscription as they launch.
How often does Medbridge update courses?
Medbridge reviews its courses annually for relevance and to assess if content is up to date. Based on these reviews it may be determined that a course is out of date resulting in the course being re-filmed or retired, if the content is no longer needed (e.g. a replacement course already exists, the concepts are no longer best practice, etc.).
How many courses does Medbridge offer?
We have over 3,000 accredited courses and we are continually updating our library with new courses. Check our course library for the most up-to-date count for your discipline.
Are there any additional fees for taking a Medbridge course?
There are no additional fees for taking a Medbridge course, obtaining a course certificate of completion, earning CEUs as a subscriber, or accessing any of the additional tools your subscription may include.
Is there a limit to the number of courses I can take?
There is no limit to the number of courses you can take as a subscriber! As a subscriber to Medbridge, you have unlimited access to over 3,000+ accredited CE courses.
If you are a Premium subscriber, you also have unlimited access to our Patient Engagement Tools such as the Home Exercise Program, Patient Education Library, Orthopedic Exam Tests, and Manual Therapy Techniques. We have over 7,000 exercises and over 650+ videos and handouts of patient education resources with more exercises and patient education added to the library based on subscriber feedback, volume of request and specialities.
What is your refund policy?
You are eligible for a refund provided your request is received within 30 days of your subscription purchase and your account has no activity.