Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Dr. Mandy Meyer

Keywords

vision rehabilitation, occupational therapy, visual dysfunction, lifespan

Abstract

Visual dysfunction is highly prevalent across the lifespan and can significantly limit occupational performance and participation. Despite this, vision-related impairments are addressed inconsistently within occupational therapy (OT) practice, with documented gaps in standardized evaluation, occupation-based intervention, and practitioner confidence (Kaldenberg et al., 2023; Weisser-Pike et al., 2023a). The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop an evidence-informed resource to support OT practitioners in the evaluation and intervention of visual dysfunction across the lifespan. A comprehensive literature review and needs assessment were conducted to examine current evidence and identify gaps in practice, including limitations in practitioner confidence, access to structured resources, and clarity in scope of practice and referral processes. The person-environment-occupation model and Warren’s hierarchical model of visual perceptual skills guided project development and clinical reasoning (Baptiste, 2017; Warren, 1993). The resulting product is an educational guidebook designed for entry-level OT practitioners. Anticipated outcomes of guidebook use include increased foundational knowledge, improved consistency in evaluation and intervention, and enhanced clinical decision-making through the integration of evidence-informed and occupation-based vision care. This project addresses identified gaps in vision rehabilitation within occupational therapy by providing a structured, evidence-informed resource to support practitioner competence and promote consistency in care delivery.

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