For Vision Australia clients, there's a good chance Meagan Anderson or one of her fellow orthoptists are the first person from the blindness and low vision service provider they encounter.
Vision Australia orthoptists provide clients with a broad range of services, both at the beginning of their involvement with Vision Australia and further down the track.
"In the majority of cases we're the first person from Vision Australia that will work with a client and it's our responsibility to get a complete overview of each person's situation when it comes to their vision," Meagan said.
"We try to understand a person's level of vision, what sort of things in life they might be struggling with and want support with and any other concerns they may have," she said.
Vision assessments
A vision assessment is likely to be first thing a client will undergo with a an orthoptist. The short procedure is important for both the client and service providers in understanding an individual's circumstances.
"We'll assess a person's vision compared to what their optometrist or other eye professional may have reported to check for any further deterioration. We'll assess their distance vision and contrast sensitivity. A lot of people are concerned about their reading ability, so we focus a lot on near vision," Meagan said.
"The assessment is a combination of things like looking at eye charts and determining how lighting impacts someone's vision. All up it only takes around 20-30 minutes and it's also an important opportunity for us to explain to the client what's happening with their vision."
An important part of that is also educating others, be they a parent, partner or carer, about what is happening and may continue to happen to the client's vision.
"It can be an overwhelming and confusing experience for both the client and the people in their lives, so it's important that we try to educate people as much as possible about what's happening and what can be done to support them."
Further support
After an assessment, orthoptist can provide hands on support to the clients, as well as assisting them to access other support services to meet their needs.
"Reading, be it books, menus or any other print material, is a big thing for many of the people we work with and magnification is one area where we can support people with that.
"We'll discuss what they want to read and when and then try to work out both the best type of magnifier and level of magnification that will support them to do that."
Support beyond magnification is often needed as well, and it's important people are connected with those that will help them.
"A big part of my job is referring clients on to our occupational therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, adaptive technology specialists or whichever other service provider will best support them.
"We'll discuss what in particular they're having challenges with and what it is they would like support in achieving. From there it's a matter of identifying if a particular service or a mix of services will help them reach their goals.
"For many people who are living with vision loss, they're concerned about what they can't do. What we want to do is to show them what is possible, and getting them the right support is a major step in that."
Important advice
While orthoptists play a major role in supporting people who are blind or have low vision, Meagan says there is one key thing that people need to remember.
"It's important that people take notice of any vision issues they may have. For example, tired eyes or having trouble reading can be common symptoms of a vision condition and people shouldn't ignore them.
"We recommend people get regular vision checks, especially as they get older. The earlier we can begin to support clients with magnification or other strategies, the more effective they will be in allowing our clients to live the life they choose."
Is it time for you to have your assessed? Get in touch with Vision Australia today on 1300 84 74 66 or email [email protected].