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Effectiveness of Assistive Technologies for Low Vision Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review

By Jutai, Jeffrey W.; Strong, J. Graham; Russell-Minda, Elizabeth; Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, Vol. 103, No. 4, pp. 210-222
Publication Date: April 2009

Review of studies on vision rehabilitation interventions undertaken to assess the effectiveness of assistive technologies for low vision rehabilitation. For the review, 108 studies were selected based on the Downs and Black Checklist, an instrument for assessing the quality of randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized studies. The research literature revealed that reading and mobility are two of the most crucial activities of daily living for people with vision loss. Review findings indicated that optical devices are effective and accessible rehabilitation options, with electronic closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) generally being preferred over non-electronic optical devices, except when portability and cost may be an issue. Proper lighting was deemed equally vital for reading and daily activities. For individuals with hemianopia or visual neglect, there was limited evidence of the effectiveness of Fresnel prisms. There was also limited evidence that telescopes can improve reading or facial recognition tasks. Moderately strong evidence suggested valid links between the performance of computer tasks and visual function, icon sizes, and other features of graphical user interfaces. While orientation and mobility training programs can help the visually impaired gain confidence while traveling, strong conclusions could not be drawn regarding the most effective type of mobility device. The authors conclude that overall, the review indicates the need for more research related to performance measurements and the effectiveness of vision rehabilitation devices.
Published by: AFB Press   (Website:http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=46)

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)    (Web Site: http://www.afb.org )
Link to text: http://www.afb.org/store/product.asp?sku=jvib030404
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