Episode 11

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Published on:

22nd Mar 2026

Episode 11: What is a Low Vision Occupational Therapist?

Living with Vision Loss Podcast

Episode 11: What Is a Low Vision OT?

Host: Dawn Ciccarone, MS OTR/L, CLVT | Episode Type: Educational

Episode Summary

Dawn explains what a low vision OT does after 25+ years in the field. She covers evaluations, activities of daily living addressed, and how treatment is personalized to your goals—from eccentric viewing for macular degeneration to glare evaluations and non-optical devices.

What We Address

Eating, dressing, grooming, phone use, cooking, shopping, reading, writing, school, work, and leisure activities

What We Do in Treatment

• Adapt phones/iPads to your print size and contrast needs

• Teach eccentric viewing (shift blind spot to see faces/words) and scanning techniques

• Work with prisms (yoked, Fresnel, Eli Peli) for visual field loss

• Glare evaluations (indoor, outdoor, nighttime, computer) and filter recommendations

• Teach non-optical devices (signature guides, liquid indicators)

Real-Life Examples

• Eating: Clock method, change dish color for contrast, Seeing AI Describe feature

• Medication/Cooking: Handheld magnifier, video magnifier, apps — then practice the actual task

What to Expect

Initial evaluation + 3-6 sessions. You are in charge — you set your goals. We also consider cognition, home environment, support systems, and physical abilities.

Resources

Questions: dawnmciccarone@gmail.com | YouTube: Search "Living with Vision Loss Dawn Ciccarone"

OTs interested in specializing in vision — reach out to Dawn!

Keywords: low vision OT, occupational therapy, eccentric viewing, macular degeneration, scanning techniques, glare evaluation, prism glasses, vision rehabilitation, CLVT

Medical Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Consult your physician or low vision specialist before making treatment decisions.

Living with Vision Loss Podcast © 2026 | Become More Independent in Your Everyday Life

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About the Podcast

Living with Vision Loss
Helping people with low vision live more independently
I'm Dawn Ciccarone, a certified low vision therapist and occupational therapist, and I created Living with Vision Loss to share something that changed my life: hope.
For over 20 years, I've worked with patients who come to me after hearing nothing but "your vision won't get better." They've been struggling—some for 5 years, some for 20—not knowing that low vision therapy exists or that there are tools, apps, and techniques that can help them read again, regain independence, and live fuller lives.
What is low vision? It's vision that can't be corrected by glasses, surgery, or medication due to conditions affecting the retina—macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, and many others. But here's what most people don't know: you can learn to function with the vision you have.
On this channel, I answer the questions my patients ask me every day:

How do I read a book if I'm blind or have low vision?
What devices and apps can help me?
How do I adapt my environment?
What professionals can help me?
How do I maintain independence?

Whether you're a person with vision loss, a family member or caregiver, or a healthcare professional looking to learn more about low vision rehabilitation, this channel is for you. I break down complex topics into practical, actionable information—because no one should struggle in isolation when help is available.
My credentials include certification as a Low Vision Therapist and years of experience as an occupational therapist specializing in vision rehabilitation. I teach at an optometry school, lead technology support groups, and work with patients of all ages—from young people with genetic conditions to older adults with age-related vision loss.
Let's learn how to live with vision loss together.