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THE GIFT OF SIGHT

Low vision rehabilitation program helps patients gain independence

Ron Gregg, a patient in St. Charles Bend's vision deficits rehabilitation program, scans a cupboard designed to replicate a kitchen cabinet for a particular item. His physical therapist, Karen Lenox, has taught Gregg to use his limited vision to the best of his abilities.

For months after Ron Gregg, 69, suffered a debilitating stroke, his wife Kay constantly hovered over him telling him when to turn left and right, even inside their La Pine home. Ron would get lost, Kay said, when he tried to make his way from the family room to the bathroom. The stroke caused bleeding inside Ron's brain and his visual cortex was damaged, explained Karen Lenox, an occupational therapist at St. Charles Bend specializing in treating patients with vision deficits. Ron lost almost all of his vision in his right eye and about half the vision in his left eye. He couldn't understand how to use what little vision he had left.

Through the St. Charles Rehabilitation Services low vision program, Ron's wife is now comfortable leaving him alone in the house while she does yard work outside. "I'd love to have my real vision back. I don't think that will ever happen. What I've got is what I'm going to have," Ron said. "Karen is teaching me to use what vision I have to the best of my advantage."

Lenox works with Ron once a week. They do various exercises that force Ron to efficiently and effectively scan a room or a cabinet in search of a particular object until he locates it. Through the program, Lenox said she has also worked with Kay, teaching her how to best set up their home environment so Ron can be safer and more independent. The low vision program at St. Charles Bend started about a year ago. Medicare and other forms of health insurance typically cover the rehabilitation sessions with a physician's order, Lenox said. She explained that patients must have some remaining usable vision, like Ron, in order to qualify for the program.

"It's really fun and rewarding work," Lenox said, explaining that having the ability to use even limited vision makes a huge difference in the quality of people's lives. Through therapy Ron can now walk from room to room, read the newspaper, make a sandwich, vacuum, clear the kitchen table, help care for his granddaughter and get in out of a car all on his own. "He's come so far," Kay said of her husband of 48 years.