Find a Low Vision Specialist

Find a Low Vision Specialist

This directory is divided into two parts:
Part 1 – Optometrists who have completed the voluntary Michigan Optometric Association Low Vision Certification process
Part 2 – Optometrists who practice low vision rehabilitation, but have not completed the voluntary Michigan Optometric Association Low Vision Certification.

Part 1: Michigan Optometric Association Certified Low Vision Specialists

M.O.A. CERTIFIED LOW VISION SPECIALIST DESCRIPTION: OVERVIEW

The American and Michigan Optometric Association are proud of the dedicated optometrists who practice low vision rehabilitation. The Michigan Optometric Association certification is designed to assist licensed, member optometrists with a dedicated interest in “low vision” to enhance their expertise and demonstrate competency in the provision of low vision care. The goal of the Michigan Optometric Association Low Vision Committee is to promote quality and accessibility of low vision care in the state. All optometrists in the United States are authorized to practice low vision by the nature of their education and license to practice optometry. Any optometrist specializing in low vision rehabilitation care is encouraged to contact the MOA to be included in the list provided. Certification is a process of self-education, clinical experience; written case studies and academic proficiency contribute to the certification process. As the practice of optometry evolves the American Optometric Association as well as the American Academy of Optometry is moving towards National Board Certification for optometric specialties. The Michigan Optometric Association is at the forefront of this movement as one of the few states that provides a low vision certification program. The MOA and the Low Vision Committee is committed to providing superior care to the people of Michigan and encourages its members to refer low vision patients to any of the low vision specialists listed below.

The process of certification involves: 1) application, 2) case reports, 3) interview and 4) written, oral and as indicated, clinical examination. Committee members are available to mentor doctors in each phase of the process, including provision of clinical opportunities in which licensed optometrists can obtain the required patient care experiences needed to complete their case reports. To ensure that doctors have the proper capacity to provide low vision rehabilitation patient care, all applicants should possess adequate low vision equipment and/or devices in their office or at their disposal.

Eight (8) case reports must be submitted which demonstrate a doctor’s techniques in caring for a variety of low vision patient types. The case reports include patients with best corrected acuity of 20/70 or less, or a functionally significant visual field loss. The cases are representative of each of the following low vision populations: Pediatric, career/vocational, geriatric and multiply impaired. No more than two case reports may represent the same primary diagnosis. The following conditions and pathologies are among those suggested for case studies: Macular degeneration, cataracts, ocular complications of diabetes, glaucoma, corneal pathology, optic neuritis/atrophy, albinism, achromatopsia, retinitis pigmentosa, trauma, aniridia, peripheral visual field loss/hemianopsia, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, retinopathy of prematurity, etc

CASE REPORT STRUCTURE
1) A detailed case history including discussion of the patient’s specific goals and functional concerns. 2) Examination of the patient’s pathology and diagnosis or diagnoses. 3) Results of visual analysis, including but not limited to best corrected acuity at distance and near, using standard forms of correction (spectacles, contact lenses) and applicable visual field information. 4) Low vision devices tested rationale for selection of devices and results of testing. 5) Interpretation of data, discussion of pathology and correlation to results of visual analysis. 6) Recommendations for treatment and basis for them. Correlation with vocational and education concerns include a) prescription and design of devices and training procedures to assist the patient in adapting to them and b) non-optical concerns, counseling, orientation and mobility and other rehabilitation concerns. 7) Follow-up care which may address success in using devices for intended purposes, modifications of devices, adjustments and additional training provided.

RENEWAL OF M.O.A. CERTIFICATION M.O.A.
Certification is valid for a two-year period and subject to review by the certification committee. Continuance of certification will be dependent upon contributions to the low vision field by treatment of low vision patients, attendance at Michigan Optometric Association Low Vision Committee meetings, low vision symposia, teaching, publications, lecture presentations and other evidence of continuing competency.

REVOCATION OF M.O.A. CERTIFICATION M.O.A.
Certification may be revoked if the holder resigns from the Michigan Optometric Association or acts in any manner which violates the association’s code of ethics or standards of conduct.

Part 2: Low Vision Specialists Who Have Not Completed the Voluntary Michigan Optometric Association Low Vision Certification.

LOW VISION SPECIALISTS WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED THE VOLUNTARY MICHIGAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION LOW VISION CERTIFICATION DESCRIPTION:
Low Vision Specialists who have not completed the voluntary Michigan Optometric Association Low Vision Certification are like all Doctors of Optometry in the United State who all have had introductory course work in low vision rehabilitation and entry-level clinical care of those with vision impairment or blindness as part of a four year graduate-professional curriculum. Many optometrists in the United States provide low vision rehabilitation in varying degrees, from a dedicated low vision rehabilitation only practice specialty to providing low vision care in conjunction with family eye care. Low vision specialists in Michigan that are not-certified have not completed the voluntary Michigan Optometric Association Low Vision Certification process. All Optometrists practicing in the State of Michigan are welcomed to seek the certification credential that is overseen by the Low Vision Committee of the Michigan Optometric Association. For application materials please log onto www.themoa.org using your American Optometric Association identification number and date of birth or contact the Low Vision Committee chair.