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OTs tackle low vision Collaboration between the occupational therapy (OT) community and an advocacy group has resulted in several public awareness projects and a developing curriculum for OT students to specialise in low vision care. The development began a few years ago when Dr Mary Butler, Otago Polytechnic principal lecturer, put some third-year students in-touch with the Visual Impairment Charitable Trust Aotearoa (VICTA) to develop ideas for projects to help that community. Around the same time Associate Professor Gordon Sanderson from Otago University encouraged Dr Butler to develop a curriculum for postgraduate OT students to concentrate on that area. Occupational therapists are interested in function and practical ways to improve lives, says Dr Butler. Low vision is a central field in OT practice overseas, but in New Zealand, there are opportunities for OTs to become more involved in helping low vision patients to navigate life in spite of their visual problems and to work far more closely with optometrists. “I’m very much trying to create a space where the profession will say, ‘we can do this’, and to encourage OTs to work closely with optometrists. I’m encountering too many old neighbours and clients who are unnecessarily disabled by visual impairment,” says Dr Butler. “Too often they are told by their ophthalmologist that there is nothing that can be done. This is not true. There are many things that OTs can do by problem solving everyday functions such as cooking, community mobility and remaining active. We tend to use the simplest equipment or none at all to bring about these outcomes.” Projects arising from student collaboration with VICTA include the development of high visibility canes and wristbands for low vision pedestrians to make drivers aware of their presence on the street. “The whole question of road safety was a big issue from the time we started the group,” says Dr Lynley Hood, founding trustee of VICTA. The Trust actually began as the Dunedin Visually Impairment group, a lively cadre of elderly people diagnosed with various problems that will lead to permanent sight loss. When it became clear their issues were of national significance, particularly in regard to the ageing population, Dr Hood and her cohort established the Trust. “If you’re no longer allowed to drive, even if you get half-priced taxi fares with a disability allowance, getting around becomes very expensive. Buses are the better option,” says Dr Hood. “But if you catch the bus, you still have to cross the road. (Low vision people) don’t have white canes or guide dogs, so motorists don’t know that they can’t see them properly. So, one of the first suggestions was high visibility walking sticks. They are a hit with bus drivers.” Still from video promoting the use of high visibility sticks and wristbands from OTs collaboration with VICTA VICTA worked with a local fabricator to develop four high visibility walking sticks, made from carbon fibre with high contrast colours sure to be visible from blocks away. Go Bus and Richies now train drivers to recognise high visibility canes and wrist bands thanks to VICTA’s efforts. While one of Dr Butler’s third year OT students, Keri McMullan, helped produce a video promoting the service, which VICTA intends to use to promote visibility canes around the country for World Sight Day in October. McMullan was also responsible for a video promoting the use of iPads among low vision recipients and, according to Dr Butler, a third video promoting safe use of mobility scooters is in the works. “I applied for a small amount of funding to help promote what occupational therapy can do for people with low vision,” says Dr Butler. “We have been running student placements, making videos, creating Facebook pages, setting up an equipment library, running iPad classes for people with low vision and workshops for OTs. Lynley and VICTA have been very important in helping us to get traction and the profession is now coming on board.” A postgraduate paper in vision rehabilitation will be rolled out at Otago Polytechnic in the second semester of the <strong>2016</strong> academic year. Dr Butler says this has been brewing for some time. “It came about in a number different ways. My main area is brain injury and a few years ago I had a master’s student doing work on neurological vision impairment. She was working for the Blind Foundation, but she pointed out that people with neurological vision impairment and other kinds of low vision did not qualify for help from this service. At about the same time, Lynley and Gordon were setting up VICTA, which draws together 20-30 with low vision every month who are passionate and increasingly articulate about what they need. Put that together with the figures from the Disability Survey (2014), which found that that self-reported visual impairment among adults increased an astonishing 100% between 2001 and 2013 (from 81,500 to 163,000) and it all clearly points to an area where we all have to do our bit; and we are particularly keen to work closely with optometrists both in practice and research about low vision” To see more on of what Kiwi OTs are doing for low vision patients check out: https://www.facebook. com/Vision-Matters-OT-866464940127100. ▀ Celebration and a question of style Our last month before going to press has been a whirlwind of functions. The wonderful Macular Degeneration Race Day was a chance to enjoy a stunning day for a fabulous cause. Though my hat played havoc from a picture-taking point of view, it was a pure pleasure to be involved and Jai, our new editor, got her first taste of what a wonderful industry this is. There were more celebrations at the upbeat Excellence in Ophthalmology and Vision Research Prize Evening, where some of our most experienced professionals stepped up to support and celebrate some of our budding newcomers; at Auckland Eye, which was celebrating the end of its refurbishment; and at the Summer Students Research Symposium, covered by our well-known editor-at-large, Maryanne—all included in this month’s issue. A question of style We’ve tweaked a few things this month after some of you were kind enough to provide feedback on the magazine. Thanks to all those who say you’re loving the slightly fresher, more modern look of the magazine; the content mix of news, views, and celebrations; and the more national focus— though we can always do with more stories from around the country, so keep them coming. We’ve also listened to those who weren’t quite ready for the evolution (perhaps revolution) to that doyen of journalism styles, the Associated Press (AP), followed by most western publications. The AP only use full titles on first mention and thereafter simply refer to the person by their surname. (Even President Barack Obama becomes simply Obama). This ensures consistency, clarity, accuracy and brevity—a constant challenge in publishing as there are always more stories than ads to support the publication of those stories. AP’s style was also developed to avoid stereotypes and upsetting anyone as it treats everybody the same. Many women have a problem with the “Ms”, “Mrs” or “Miss” honorifics, which force them to reveal their married status, compared with men’s simple “Mr”. Sweden even EDITORIAL C ▀ introduced a gender neutral title “hen” to avoid the problem. Some publications use first names for students instead of surnames, but just how much study, experience or age should a person have before they can be referred to in the same manner as their peers? Then there’s the question of medical doctors versus PhDs—the latter given a particularly bad rap by some honorary PhDs using the title—with many publications deciding to now only acknowledge someone’s PhD when it’s relevant to the story and only use the title “Dr” for medical practitioners. Here at NZ Optics we are your industry publication and though we can’t promise to do everything you ask (as that could diminish the editorial integrity of the publication, which is something we hold in very high regard to ensure all are treated fairly) we do care what you think and so have reinstated professional honorifics—so no Mr’s but lots of Dr’s. We love your feedback, especially your praise, and we do listen. This is your publication and the next generation’s too and everyone should have a voice, which is why we’re delighted to have an article this month from Nikku Singh (no title yet), the new president of the NZ Optometry Student Society (NZOSS). So enjoy this month’s issue, celebrating so many wonderful things people in this industry have achieved, and don’t be afraid to let us know what you think—we can take it! Lesley Springall, publisher, and Jai Breitnauer at the MDNZ Race Day NEW ZEALAND University’s generous gift Joan Ready, former Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences administrator with the Department of Ophthalmology, has donated $250,000 to her former department for department head Professor Charles McGhee to spend at his discretion. Talking at the <strong>2016</strong> Excellence in Ophthalmology and Vision Research Awards (see story p4), Professor McGhee said he was both surprised and delighted at Ready’s generous gift, which would be used to help a number of young people reach their goals. Ready worked at the Faculty for more than 35 years in various research and management roles, including research technician and manager for Physiology, Pathology, Clinical Sciences, School of Nursing and the Rural Health Inter-professional Immersion Programme. She joined Professor McGhee when the Department of Ophthalmology was in its infancy and stayed there for the last 17 years. In the Faculty newsletter, Professor McGhee said he was extremely grateful to have had “Joan University vice-chancellor Professor Stuart McCutcheon and Joan Ready (front) with Professor John Fraser, dean of Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, and Professor Charles McGhee (back) as a great friend and colleague over the last 17 years” and that she played an integral part in many of the department’s major developments in ophthalmology. He anticipates the Joan Ready Fund will help start the careers of several future ophthalmologists and clinician scientists in New Zealand, he said. ▀ Supplying Kiwi Optometrists with exclusive digital lens designs, quality and service Visit us at shamir.co.nz For more information contact DONALD CRICHTON New Zealand Sales Rep 021 449 819 Shamir quarter page ad NZ OPTICS APRIL <strong>2016</strong>.indd 1 <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2016</strong> 11/03/<strong>2016</strong> 3:55:24 PM NEW ZEALAND OPTICS 3
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