L V Prasad Eye Institute- Hyderabad
In April 2021, LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) partnered with Vision-Aid to enhance the quality of life for individuals with visual impairments. LVPEI Hyderabad is a center of excellence that offers comprehensive patient care, vision enhancement and rehabilitation services, along with effective eye health programs. This was made possible with the generous support of Palakruthi Foundation, USA in honor of Mrs. Vasantha Palakruthi and the late Dr. Krupasagar Palakruthi.
Our collaboration primarily has the following focus areas:
Focus area 1: Training for students with Vision Impairment
Our Vision-Aid training programs closely works closely with LVPEI to offer several training programs which includes Digital Accessibility Testing (DAT), Python programming, Corporate Skills Development Program (CSDP), Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS). LVPEI nominates students to take up the training programs.
Focus area 2: Professional training for Vision Rehabilitation professionals
The partnership initiative of Vision-Aid and the LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad offers two professional educational programs. These programs ensure practitioners can provide effective and up-to-date care to individuals with visual impairments. Such training is crucial to meet the significant demand for vision rehabilitation services. By transferring knowledge, enhancing domain expertise, and fostering collaboration, professional training empowers practitioners with the necessary skills and competence to deliver high-quality services and effectively cater to the diverse needs of individuals with vision impairments.
The Blended Training Program in Low Vision Rehabilitation is designed for eye care professionals, such as optometrists and ophthalmologists, to acquire essential clinical skills in identifying, examining, and managing individuals with low vision. This program offers online classes and hands-on training, providing flexibility and convenience for busy professionals. The curriculum covers various low-vision rehabilitation topics, including assessment, psychosocial implications, assistive devices, paediatric low vision, and more. By completing the program, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively serve individuals with low vision, improving their quality of life.
The Short-Term Fellowship in Early Intervention is a comprehensive training program designed to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge to provide effective early intervention services to individuals with vision impairment and additional disabilities. Participants gain a deep understanding of child development, assessment tools, individualized case management, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The program covers various topics related to early intervention, including communication development, motor skills, assistive technology, and advocacy.
Support for conferences at LVPEI:
Vision-Aid sponsors conferences focused on Low vision and Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) in creating awareness and empowering professionals.
- Low Vision Awareness Program (LAP): As an initiative for professional training, is held annually at LVPEI Hyderabad, focused on raising awareness about low vision management, assistive technology, and vision rehabilitation practices.
- Seeing CVI Conference: The LVPEI Institute for Vision Rehabilitation, in collaboration with Vision-Aid India, hosted the ‘Seeing CVI’ Conference. This event focused on enhancing the understanding, care, and rehabilitation for Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI), which is the primary cause of visual impairment in children worldwide. The conference gathered global experts, clinicians, and researchers to exchange insights and best practices in this critical field.
Devices Program :
The Devices Program focuses on providing affordable, advanced assistive technology to individuals with visual impairments. This includes a range of user-friendly devices such as Portable Digital Magnifiers (PDM), Smart Vision Glasses (SVG), smartphones, and AURA devices, all designed to enhance independence and improve quality of life.
The beneficiaries from under-served backgrounds will also benefit from devices like spectacles, optical, and non-optical devices under this collaboration.
Research and Publications:
Publication of research by the institute of Vision Rehabilitation L V Prasad Eye Institute, LVPEI funded by Vision-Aid in American Journal of Ophthalmology. The link to the article is https://www.ajo.com/article/S0002-9394(24)00318-0/abstract
Understanding contrast sensitivity (CS) and low contrast visual acuity (LCVA) is crucial in pediatric vision assessment, particularly for detecting subtle visual deficits that may not be apparent in standard visual acuity tests. This study aimed to establish normative values for distance and near CS, as well as LCVA at 5% and 2.5% contrast, in children aged 5-15 years with normal visual acuity. These findings serve as an important reference for pediatric vision screening and clinical evaluation, contributing to improved early diagnosis and management of contrast sensitivity related visual impairment.