Seeing the World Differently: How Occupational Therapy Helps People Living with Glaucoma and Low Vision

Seeing the World Differently: How Occupational Therapy Helps People Living with Glaucoma and Low Vision

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, a time to shed light on a condition that quietly affects millions. Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it can cause irreversible vision loss without early warning signs. It’s one of the leading causes of blindness in adults over 60, yet it often goes undetected until significant changes have already occurred.

While glaucoma can’t be cured, people living with low vision can learn new ways to live safely, confidently, and independently. That’s where Occupational Therapy (OT) comes in. Occupational Therapists can help individuals adapt their environments, routines, and habits to keep doing what they love, on their terms.

How Glaucoma Affects Daily Life

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, typically starting with a loss of peripheral (side) vision. Over time, this can make simple daily tasks more challenging, such as:

• Navigating hallways or crowded spaces without bumping into obstacles

• Locating items on cluttered counters or in drawers

• Reading medication labels or mail

• Identifying faces or objects in low light

• Safely cooking, cleaning, or doing laundry

• Driving or walking outdoors, especially at night

For many, the frustration goes beyond the physical limitations. It’s the emotional impact of losing independence and confidence. People often begin to withdraw from activities they once enjoyed.

Occupational Therapy helps bridge that gap, offering practical tools, personalized training, and environmental changes that restore confidence and safety.

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Low Vision

Occupational Therapists are experts at helping people function in the real world. When vision changes, OT focuses on what can be done, not what’s been lost. At DRM Wellness, our low-vision interventions are completely individualized, tailored to each person’s goals, abilities, and home setup.

Here’s how we help:

1. Home Safety and Environmental Modifications

Many falls and injuries among older adults occur because of poor lighting or contrast issues, challenges that worsen with glaucoma.
We complete detailed home assessments to identify risks and create a plan that makes daily living safer.
Some of our common recommendations include:

• Lighting improvements: Adding task lighting at workstations, under-cabinet lights in the kitchen, and motion-sensor nightlights in hallways and bathrooms.

• Contrast adjustments: Using dark placemats under white dishes, bright tape on stair edges, or bold outlines around light switches and door frames.

• Decluttering and organization: Simplifying spaces and labeling storage areas to make items easier to find and access.

• Furniture positioning: Reorienting furniture to open clear walking paths and reduce bump hazards.

• Bathroom safety: Installing grab bars in high-contrast colors, non-slip mats, and shower chairs to reduce fall risks.

These small changes often make a dramatic difference in safety and confidence.

2. Adaptive Strategies for Everyday Activities

When vision loss makes tasks harder, OTs teach adaptive techniques that allow clients to maintain independence.
We show people how to:

• Use magnification devices, talking scales, and large-print labels for reading and cooking.

• Implement tactile cues (like raised stickers or Velcro dots) to mark buttons on remotes, microwaves, or washing machines.

• Rely on consistent routines, keeping commonly used items in predictable spots to reduce searching.

• Use contrast trays for meal prep (like a dark tray for slicing onions or a white one for apples).

• Apply bump dots or tactile markings to identify key settings on appliances.

We focus on function and confidence, not perfection. Every tip is tailored to each client’s home and habits.

3. Vision Training and Compensatory Techniques

While glaucoma damage cannot be reversed, clients can learn to use their remaining vision more effectively.
We teach compensatory strategies like:

• Scanning patterns: Moving the eyes systematically to detect items that might fall outside of the visual field.

• Eccentric viewing: Adjusting gaze direction to use intact parts of the retina more effectively.

• Tracking and visual attention exercises: Helping people identify and respond to movement or obstacles safely.

These techniques are especially helpful for navigating public spaces, reading, and performing self-care tasks.

4. Technology and Assistive Equipment

Modern technology makes independence more achievable than ever.
OTs help clients select, set up, and learn to use:

• Voice-activated smart devices (Alexa, Google Home) for reminders, lights, and communication.

• Text-to-speech apps for reading labels, menus, or mail.

• Talking watches and clocks for time management.

• High-contrast keyboards and phones for easier typing and dialing.

• Magnifiers, video readers, and screen-enlargement software to make reading and computer work easier.

We also help clients integrate these tools into daily routines, ensuring they feel confident and capable using them.

5. Supporting Emotional Wellness and Coping

Vision loss is not just physical, it’s emotional. Clients often express frustration, grief, or fear about losing their independence.
As Occupational Therapists, we help them rebuild confidence through encouragement, realistic goal-setting, and success-focused practice.
We also provide caregiver education to teach family members how to offer assistance without taking over, promoting dignity and autonomy.

Aging in Place with Confidence

For many older adults, maintaining independence at home is the top priority. Through Aging in Place home safety evaluations, we help our clients identify potential hazards, select adaptive equipment, and create a home setup that supports long-term safety and function.

We assess everything from entryways and bathrooms to kitchens and bedrooms, focusing on how vision changes interact with mobility, balance, and cognition.

Our goal is simple:
To help every client continue living safely, comfortably, and confidently in their own home, regardless of vision challenges.

National Glaucoma Awareness Month is a reminder that vision loss doesn’t have to mean losing independence. With the right guidance, tools, and support, people living with glaucoma can continue to lead rich, fulfilling lives.

Occupational Therapy bridges the gap between medical management and real-world living. At DRM Wellness, we specialize in helping people adapt their environments and habits to stay safe, capable, and confident, no matter what changes vision brings.

If you or someone you love is living with glaucoma or other vision changes, we can help you see the world differently.

📞 Call us at (402) 940-8181
📧 Email us at [email protected]
💻 Learn more at www.DRMwellness.org