By 2030, the Administration on Aging projects the number of older adults in the U.S. will more than double to nearly 70 million, with persons over 85 years projected to be the fastest growing segment of this population. It is estimated that nearly 25% of these adults will experience vision loss severe enough to impair their ability to complete daily activities.

The significant growth rate of the elderly population in the United States has increased the need for health care professionals to provide low vision rehabilitation. Occupational therapy services, in particular, are in demand because of the profession’s expertise in addressing issues related to aging and disability.

Reimbursement for services does not guarantee competency. Specific training in low vision rehabilitation theory and method is needed before occupational therapists can provide comprehensive and competent services. Other professions providing low vision rehabilitation services are openly questioning the competency of occupational therapists to provide services.

While specialized training or certification is not required for occupational therapists to provide low vision rehabilitation services, as professionals, occupational therapy practitioners must be able to demonstrate basic mastery of low vision rehabilitation precepts before providing services.