Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
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      • Become a Vision Professional
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      • VI Organizations
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      • Schools for the Blind
      • Georgia Vision Resources
    • V.I. Book Resources >
      • VI Resource Books
      • Braille Book Resources
      • Children's Books
      • Young Reader Books
      • Books about Dog Guides
      • Non-Fiction
      • Helen Keller Books
    • Parent Resources >
      • Online Parent Resources
      • Parent Resource Books
      • Grief & Suffering Books
      • Financial Assistance
      • Home Adaptations
      • Summer Reading (braille)
      • Summer Outdoor Activities
      • Rainy Days Activities
      • Camps for VI
    • History of Visual Impairments >
      • National Agenda
      • Legislation
      • Timeline of VI
      • Biblical Passages Concerning Blindness
      • Notable People
      • Helen Keller
      • History of Braillewriters
  • Service
    • Referrals >
      • Vision Concerns
      • Vision Classifications
      • Referral Process
      • Eligibility Guidelines
      • Vision Therapy Controversy
      • When Student Doesn't Qualify
    • Vision Exams >
      • Medical Professionals
      • Vision Tests & Tools
      • Visual Acuity
      • Lenses
      • Visual Fields
      • Structure & Function of the Eye
      • Common Vocabulary
      • Common Visual Impairments
      • Cortical Visual Impairments
      • Convergence Insufficiency (CI)
      • Deaf-Blind
    • FVE LMA >
      • What is the FVE
      • Interpret the Eye Report
      • FVE Observations
      • Interviews
      • Assessment Kit Materials
      • Oculomotor Skills
      • Near Visual Acuities
      • Print Comparisons
      • Distance Acuity
      • Test Visual Fields
      • Vision Skills
      • Learning Media Assessment
      • Reading Rates
      • Writing the FVE Report
    • Other Evaluations >
      • Clinical Low Vision Evaluation
      • Orientation & Mobility Evaluation
      • Impact on Development & Learning
      • Educational Assessments
      • Language Development
    • IEPs >
      • ECC Annual Needs
      • Writing SMART Goals
      • Blooms Taxonomy
      • Goal Bank >
        • Compensatory Goals
        • Sensory Efficiency Goals
        • Assistive Technology Goals
        • Social Skills Goals
        • Independent Living Goals
        • Recreation & Leisure Goals
        • Self Determination Goals
        • Career & Vocational Goals
      • Accommodations & Modifications
      • Service Delivery Models
      • Least Restrictive Environment
      • Student Led IEPs
    • Transition Plans
    • 504 Plans
  • Adaptations
    • Unique Visual Needs
    • Instructional Adaptations >
      • Movies & Assemblies
      • Lectures & Instruction
      • Board Work (Chalk, Interactive, White)
    • Material Adaptations >
      • Accessible Educational Materials
      • Photocopying
      • Font Legibility
      • Increase Contrast
      • Pictures and Worksheets
    • Environmental Adaptations >
      • School Campus Adaptations
      • Classroom Design Tips
      • Labeling System
      • Adjust Lighting
      • Playground Adaptations
    • Electives Adaptations >
      • Art
      • Art Materials
      • Music
      • Music & Movement
      • Dance
      • P.E. Adaptations
      • P.E. Resources
      • Home Economics
    • Early Intervention
    • Early Childhood >
      • Daily Schedule
      • Morning Meeting
      • Weather Check
      • Dramatic Play
      • Blocks
    • Math Adaptations >
      • Numbers & Counting
      • Algebra
      • Geometry & Spatial Sense
      • Measurement & Data
    • Literacy Adaptations >
      • Early Literacy Experiences
      • Reading Efficiency
    • Science Adaptations >
      • Science Materials
    • Social Studies Adaptations >
      • Social Studies Materials
  • ECC
    • Compensatory >
      • Guiding Principles of Concept Development
      • Community Based Experiences
      • Concepts to Teach
      • Organization & Study Skills
      • Tactile Graphics Guidelines
      • Tactile Graphics Instruction
      • Creating Tactile Graphics
      • Cranmer Abacus Instruction
    • Communication Modes >
      • Large Print
      • Braille Code
      • Braille Instruction
      • Braille Instruction Materials
      • Writing Braille
      • Create Tactual Books
      • Nemeth Braille Code
      • Signature & Handwriting Instruction
    • Students with MD >
      • Functional Skills
      • Individual Schedules & Communication Cards
      • Transition Between Activities
      • Lightbox Use
      • Encourage Use of Vision in Students with MD
      • Sensory Activities for Students with MD
      • Teacher Made Materials for Students with MD
      • Sensory Areas & Rooms
    • Sensory Efficiency >
      • Sensory Input
      • Sensory Table
      • Visual Efficiency Skills
      • Visual Attend and Scan Activities
      • Visual Tracking Activities
      • Visual Discrimination Activities
      • Visual Motor Activities
      • Optical Device Use
      • Tactual Readiness
      • Developing Skillful Hands
      • Auditory Readiness
      • Listening Skills Instruction
    • Independent Living >
      • Responsibility & Independence
      • Hygiene & Grooming
      • Dressing & Clothing Management
      • Mealtime Independence
      • Housekeeping
      • Money
      • Time Management
      • Food Preparation
    • O&M >
      • Proper Guide Techniques
      • Orienting Student to Environment
      • Mobility Skills
      • Travel
      • Dog Guides
    • Career Edu. >
      • Learn to Play
      • Classroom Jobs
      • Career & Vocational
      • Preparing for College
    • Social Skills >
      • Non-Verbal Communication
      • Social Interactions
      • Self Concept
      • Icebreakers & Mixers
    • Recreation & Leisure >
      • Recreation & Leisure Resources
    • Self Determination
    • Teaching in Thematic Units
  • Assistive Tech
    • Overview of Assistive Technology
    • Assistive Technology Assessment
    • Types of VI AT >
      • Non-Optical Low Vision Devices
      • Low/Medium Tech Devices for Tactual Learners
      • Optical Devices for Near
      • Optical Devices for Distance
      • Video Magnifiers
      • Screen Enlargement & Readers
      • Braille Technology
      • Tactile Graphics Technology
      • Auditory Access Devices
    • AT Instruction >
      • iPads as Instructional Tools
      • Making the iOS Device Accessible
      • Video Magnifier Instruction
      • Notetaker Instruction
      • Accessing Audio Books
      • Navigate Computer without a Mouse
      • Word Processing and Shortcuts
      • Keyboarding Instruction
    • Apps for VI >
      • Note Taking Apps
      • Apps for Accessing Books
      • Identification Apps
      • Navigation & Location Apps
      • Braille Apps
      • Magnifier Apps
      • Sound Making Apps
      • Cause & Effect Apps
      • Vision Skills Apps
      • Apps for Early Learning
      • Read to Me Story Apps
      • Apps for Communication
      • Android Apps for VI
    • Braillewriter Repair
    • AT Resources
    • Vendors

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

By Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com

Many factors including whether the doctor is "in network" with your medical insurance, the doctor's qualifications, recommendations from family and friends, geographic location and the doctor's "bedside manner" will play a role in who you may choose for you or your child's vision care. Some areas and expertise in the medical field overlap slightly but there are some great differences between specialists. The following are some of the medical professionals who may provide services to a person with a visual impairment.

Ocularist

An ocularist is specialized in the fabrication and fitting of ocular prostheses for people who have lost eyes due to trauma, illness, or were born without eyes. The process for creating a custom made eye typically includes taking an impression of the eye socket, shaping a plastic shell, painting the iris and then fitting the prostheses. The ocularist will help the patient or caregiver how to care for and handle the prosthesis.

Ophthalmologist

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (M.D.) who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all visual impairments and eye diseases, performs surgery, and prescribes other types of treatment, including eyeglasses, other optical devices, or medication, when necessary. In addition to performing comprehensive eye examinations and measuring refractive errors (i.e., irregularities in the size or shape of the eyeball or surface of the cornea) they ophthalmologist can make the initial determination as to whether the student has a visual impairment. If the student needs medical attention because of the eye condition, it is best for him to be under the care of an ophthalmologist.

Optician

An optician is a specialized health care practitioner who designs, fits and dispenses lenses for the correction of a person's vision. These include ophthalmic lenses, spectacles, contact lenses, low vision aids and ocular prosthetics. The prescription for the corrective lenses must be supplied by an ophthalmologist, optometrist.

Optometrist

The optometrist is a "doctor of optometry" (O.D.) holds an advanced degree in optometry and who diagnosis, manages, and treats conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system as regulated by state law (not a medical doctor). The optometrist measures refractive errors, prescribes and fits eyeglasses and contact lenses, and may also provide vision training.

Developmental Optometrists

Developmental Optometrists will exam the physical condition and health of the eye. They conduct additional tests to the routine eye exam to determine if the student has developed visual skills they need to adequately perform tasks required in their daily lives, particularly at work or school. They evaluate binocularity (how the eyes interact with each other and transmit information to the brain), oculomotility (tracking), accommodation (focusing), visual perception, and visual motor integration (eye-hand coordination). If the student is having problems in these areas, the Developmental Optometrist will recommend special lenses and/or vision therapy. (See Eligibility and the Vision Therapy Controversy).

Orthopist

Orthopists are eye care specialists who work with ophthalmologists to evaluate and treat eye disorders involving eye movement and eye alignment. They primarily work with school age patients who have muscle alignment difficulties, double vision, and Amblyopia. They typically develop treatment plans utilizing eye exercises, eye patches, eye drops or special glasses.

Neuro-ophthalmologists

Neuro-opthalmology is the sub-specialty of both neurology and ophthalmology concerning visual problems that are related to the nervous system. A neuro-ophthalmologist is a physician specializing in diseases affecting vision that originate from the nervous system. (North American Neuro-Ophthalmolgy Society)

Retinal Specialist

Retinal specialists are specialized eye doctors who treat only diseases of the retina. The retinal specialist is most often called upon when vision can no longer be improved after appropriate glasses have been prescribed and/or cataract surgery to determine the cause of the persistent decreased vision, or if there is any abnormality noted in the back of the eye on routine eye exams. (Sarasota Retina Institute, 2011, Melvin Chen MD)

FREE VI Program Templates

Picture of VI program brochures.
Become a member for FREE to access the Printable VI Program Templates  to support your district's vision program. Includes VI Program resources, FVE/LMA templates and NEW Sample FVE Reports ebook. Simply click on Log In|Register in the navigation bar at the top of the page and follow the directions to register and create your password. ​

Post a Job 

Job Posting on Post-It Note
Due to the nationwide shortage of vision professionals, it can be challenging to locate personnel. Announce a job vacancy on the Job Exchange of Teaching Students with Visual Impairments, an online listing of jobs specific to the visual impairment field.

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About

Photo of Carmen
Hi! I'm Carmen Willings. Welcome to my website! I developed this web resource to support fellow TVI's and to educate those new to the field of visual impairments in how to best support students who are blind or visually impaired.  ​Read More

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Home

Site Map
​FAQ's
About
Newsletter
Printables
VI Forum
TVI's Share
​
User Agreement

VI Program

Professional Practice
Vision Professionals
​VI Program Resources

VI Book Resources
​Parent Resources
History of VI

Programming

Referrals 
Vision Exams
FVE/LMA
Other Evals
IEP's
Early Intervention
​504 Plan

Adaptations

Instructional Adapt.
Material Adapt.
Environmental Adapt.
Early Childhood
Literacy Adaptations
Math Adaptations
Science Adaptations
Soc. St. Adaptations
Electives Adapt.

ECC

Compensatory  
Li​teracy Instruction
Sensory Effic.
Independent Living
Social Skills
O&M ​
Career Edu.
Rec & Leisure
Self Determination

Assistive Tech.

AT Assessment
​Types of VI AT 
​AT Instruction
Apps for VI
Braillewriter Repair
AT Resources
Vendors
  • Home
    • Site Map
    • About
    • FAQs
    • Newsletter
    • Printables
    • Presentations >
      • Conducting a FVELMA
      • Selecting the Right AT
      • Classroom AT for VI
      • Get Out of ECC Rut
      • Itinerant Teaching Strategy and Tips
  • VI Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • TVI Baltimore, MD
    • New Orleans, Lighthouse Louisiana
    • Colorado Springs, CO
    • Equal Eyes throughout NC
    • Forsyth County, Cumming, GA
    • Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind
    • TBVI/COMS in NC and MN
    • Vision Institute of SC
    • Washington DC Metro Area
  • Program
    • Professional Practice >
      • Professional Development
      • Teacher Standards
      • Professional Ethics
      • Itinerant Teaching Tips
      • VI Program Handbook
      • Year at a Glance
      • Federal Quota Funds
      • Deaf-Blind Child Count
      • Caseload Analysis
      • Role of the Classroom Teacher
      • Simulation Activities
      • Social Etiquette
    • Vision Professionals >
      • Become a Vision Professional
      • Professional Preparation Programs
      • Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments
      • Orientation & Mobility Specialist
      • Low Vision Specialist
      • Rehabilitation Specialists
      • CATIS
      • Paraprofessionals & Braille Transcribers
    • Program Resources >
      • VI Organizations
      • Braille Resources
      • Deaf-Blind Resources
      • Support Networks
      • Journal Resources
      • State SpEd Agencies
      • Schools for the Blind
      • Georgia Vision Resources
    • V.I. Book Resources >
      • VI Resource Books
      • Braille Book Resources
      • Children's Books
      • Young Reader Books
      • Books about Dog Guides
      • Non-Fiction
      • Helen Keller Books
    • Parent Resources >
      • Online Parent Resources
      • Parent Resource Books
      • Grief & Suffering Books
      • Financial Assistance
      • Home Adaptations
      • Summer Reading (braille)
      • Summer Outdoor Activities
      • Rainy Days Activities
      • Camps for VI
    • History of Visual Impairments >
      • National Agenda
      • Legislation
      • Timeline of VI
      • Biblical Passages Concerning Blindness
      • Notable People
      • Helen Keller
      • History of Braillewriters
  • Service
    • Referrals >
      • Vision Concerns
      • Vision Classifications
      • Referral Process
      • Eligibility Guidelines
      • Vision Therapy Controversy
      • When Student Doesn't Qualify
    • Vision Exams >
      • Medical Professionals
      • Vision Tests & Tools
      • Visual Acuity
      • Lenses
      • Visual Fields
      • Structure & Function of the Eye
      • Common Vocabulary
      • Common Visual Impairments
      • Cortical Visual Impairments
      • Convergence Insufficiency (CI)
      • Deaf-Blind
    • FVE LMA >
      • What is the FVE
      • Interpret the Eye Report
      • FVE Observations
      • Interviews
      • Assessment Kit Materials
      • Oculomotor Skills
      • Near Visual Acuities
      • Print Comparisons
      • Distance Acuity
      • Test Visual Fields
      • Vision Skills
      • Learning Media Assessment
      • Reading Rates
      • Writing the FVE Report
    • Other Evaluations >
      • Clinical Low Vision Evaluation
      • Orientation & Mobility Evaluation
      • Impact on Development & Learning
      • Educational Assessments
      • Language Development
    • IEPs >
      • ECC Annual Needs
      • Writing SMART Goals
      • Blooms Taxonomy
      • Goal Bank >
        • Compensatory Goals
        • Sensory Efficiency Goals
        • Assistive Technology Goals
        • Social Skills Goals
        • Independent Living Goals
        • Recreation & Leisure Goals
        • Self Determination Goals
        • Career & Vocational Goals
      • Accommodations & Modifications
      • Service Delivery Models
      • Least Restrictive Environment
      • Student Led IEPs
    • Transition Plans
    • 504 Plans
  • Adaptations
    • Unique Visual Needs
    • Instructional Adaptations >
      • Movies & Assemblies
      • Lectures & Instruction
      • Board Work (Chalk, Interactive, White)
    • Material Adaptations >
      • Accessible Educational Materials
      • Photocopying
      • Font Legibility
      • Increase Contrast
      • Pictures and Worksheets
    • Environmental Adaptations >
      • School Campus Adaptations
      • Classroom Design Tips
      • Labeling System
      • Adjust Lighting
      • Playground Adaptations
    • Electives Adaptations >
      • Art
      • Art Materials
      • Music
      • Music & Movement
      • Dance
      • P.E. Adaptations
      • P.E. Resources
      • Home Economics
    • Early Intervention
    • Early Childhood >
      • Daily Schedule
      • Morning Meeting
      • Weather Check
      • Dramatic Play
      • Blocks
    • Math Adaptations >
      • Numbers & Counting
      • Algebra
      • Geometry & Spatial Sense
      • Measurement & Data
    • Literacy Adaptations >
      • Early Literacy Experiences
      • Reading Efficiency
    • Science Adaptations >
      • Science Materials
    • Social Studies Adaptations >
      • Social Studies Materials
  • ECC
    • Compensatory >
      • Guiding Principles of Concept Development
      • Community Based Experiences
      • Concepts to Teach
      • Organization & Study Skills
      • Tactile Graphics Guidelines
      • Tactile Graphics Instruction
      • Creating Tactile Graphics
      • Cranmer Abacus Instruction
    • Communication Modes >
      • Large Print
      • Braille Code
      • Braille Instruction
      • Braille Instruction Materials
      • Writing Braille
      • Create Tactual Books
      • Nemeth Braille Code
      • Signature & Handwriting Instruction
    • Students with MD >
      • Functional Skills
      • Individual Schedules & Communication Cards
      • Transition Between Activities
      • Lightbox Use
      • Encourage Use of Vision in Students with MD
      • Sensory Activities for Students with MD
      • Teacher Made Materials for Students with MD
      • Sensory Areas & Rooms
    • Sensory Efficiency >
      • Sensory Input
      • Sensory Table
      • Visual Efficiency Skills
      • Visual Attend and Scan Activities
      • Visual Tracking Activities
      • Visual Discrimination Activities
      • Visual Motor Activities
      • Optical Device Use
      • Tactual Readiness
      • Developing Skillful Hands
      • Auditory Readiness
      • Listening Skills Instruction
    • Independent Living >
      • Responsibility & Independence
      • Hygiene & Grooming
      • Dressing & Clothing Management
      • Mealtime Independence
      • Housekeeping
      • Money
      • Time Management
      • Food Preparation
    • O&M >
      • Proper Guide Techniques
      • Orienting Student to Environment
      • Mobility Skills
      • Travel
      • Dog Guides
    • Career Edu. >
      • Learn to Play
      • Classroom Jobs
      • Career & Vocational
      • Preparing for College
    • Social Skills >
      • Non-Verbal Communication
      • Social Interactions
      • Self Concept
      • Icebreakers & Mixers
    • Recreation & Leisure >
      • Recreation & Leisure Resources
    • Self Determination
    • Teaching in Thematic Units
  • Assistive Tech
    • Overview of Assistive Technology
    • Assistive Technology Assessment
    • Types of VI AT >
      • Non-Optical Low Vision Devices
      • Low/Medium Tech Devices for Tactual Learners
      • Optical Devices for Near
      • Optical Devices for Distance
      • Video Magnifiers
      • Screen Enlargement & Readers
      • Braille Technology
      • Tactile Graphics Technology
      • Auditory Access Devices
    • AT Instruction >
      • iPads as Instructional Tools
      • Making the iOS Device Accessible
      • Video Magnifier Instruction
      • Notetaker Instruction
      • Accessing Audio Books
      • Navigate Computer without a Mouse
      • Word Processing and Shortcuts
      • Keyboarding Instruction
    • Apps for VI >
      • Note Taking Apps
      • Apps for Accessing Books
      • Identification Apps
      • Navigation & Location Apps
      • Braille Apps
      • Magnifier Apps
      • Sound Making Apps
      • Cause & Effect Apps
      • Vision Skills Apps
      • Apps for Early Learning
      • Read to Me Story Apps
      • Apps for Communication
      • Android Apps for VI
    • Braillewriter Repair
    • AT Resources
    • Vendors
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