Today, vision rehabilitation represents one of the most advanced and strategic areas of modern orthoptics.

It is not a set of standardized exercises, but a personalized clinical program, tailored to the individual patient, their visual problems, and their actual functional needs.

To a large extent, vision rehabilitation is the result of the integration of advanced instrumental assessment, specialized orthoptic expertise, and the use of advanced technologies such as microperimetry with biofeedback training.

What is vision rehabilitation?

Vision rehabilitation is a structured set of interventions aimed at:

improving residual visual function;

optimizing the use of remaining visual abilities;

increasing independence in daily life;

improving the patient's quality of life.

It is indicated for numerous conditions, including:

maculopathies (degenerative, vascular, myopic);

optic neuropathies;

effects of ischemic or traumatic events;

Residual functional amblyopia;

Hemianopia and visual field alterations;

Reduction in fixation stability.

Patient Assessment: The First Step

Every effective rehabilitation program begins with a correct clinical assessment.

The patient is assessed:

after a recent eye exam, or

with clinical documentation already available (OCT, visual fields, specialist reports).

This step is essential to:

define the functional diagnosis;

understand visual limitations and potential;

exclude unstable conditions that first require medical intervention.

Functional History with the Orthoptist and Rehabilitator

Next, a thorough history is performed with our orthoptist and visual rehabilitator, who not only examines the patient's medical history but also analyzes:

Patient-reported difficulties (reading, orientation, face recognition, fatigue);

Compromised daily activities;

Work or school needs;

Realistic and measurable goals for the program.

This phase allows us to transform the diagnosis into a concrete rehabilitation plan.

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Microperimetry: The Scientific Basis of the Program

Microperimetry is one of the cornerstones of modern vision rehabilitation.

Unlike traditional visual fields, microperimetry allows us to:

assess retinal sensitivity point by point;

analyze fixation (stability, localization, dispersion);

identify the PRL (Preferred Retinal Locus), which is the retinal point used by the patient in place of the fovea when the fovea is compromised.

This data allows us to develop a program based on objective parameters that can be monitored over time.

What is microperimetric biofeedback?

Biofeedback is a rehabilitation technique that uses sensory feedback (sound and/or light) to guide the patient through exercises.

In microperimetric biofeedback:

The patient is stimulated to fixate on a selected retinal area;

The system provides real-time signals when fixation improves;

The brain gradually learns to use a more efficient retinal area.

The goal is not to "cure" the visual condition, but to train the visual system to function better by exploiting its remaining sources.

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Developing a personalized rehabilitation plan

Based on clinical and microperimetric data, a customized rehabilitation plan is developed, which may include:

Biofeedback sessions

Guided training with microperimetry;

Improved fixation stability;

Optimization of PRL;

Objective monitoring of progress.

Visual exercises

Fixation and saccade exercises;

Attentive and perceptual training;

Targeted visual stimulation.

Visuomotor exercises

Eye-hand integration;

Spatial coordination and orientation;

Functional support for daily activities.

Each program is tailored in intensity, duration, and objectives based on the patient's response.

Monitoring and Reassessment

Visual rehabilitation is not a static process.

During treatment, the following are performed:

Periodic reassessments;

Pre- and post-training comparisons;

Adjustments to the rehabilitation plan.

This allows us to measure results, maintain patient motivation, and ensure a truly scientific approach.

A Multidisciplinary Approach

hen necessary, the rehabilitation program is integrated with:

Referring ophthalmologist;

Specific optical supports;

Vision aids and compensatory strategies.

Collaboration between professionals is one of the key elements for successful rehabilitation.

Visual rehabilitation is now a concrete opportunity for many patients living with vision loss.

Thanks to microperimetry, biofeedback, and a highly specialized orthoptic approach, it is possible to regain function, independence, and quality of life, even in the presence of visual impairments.