Lighthouse International Announces New Fall Online And Expanded Face-To-Face Training For Vision And Health Care Professionals
New Online Courses Include: Low Vision Management of AMD and Engaging Family Members when Vision Loss Hits Home
New York, NY - August 8, 2007 - In response to the exponential increase in the number of people affected by vision loss and the challenges that eye care and health care providers face in serving this rapidly growing population, Lighthouse International is embarking on a new direction in its renowned Continuing Education and training programs. New Online courses are now available for professionals and paraprofessionals.
"Our new on-demand, web-based courses makes it easy to learn any time, any place. And the course include the impact of new treatments on the management of patients with low vision and the latest information on depression and vision loss. states Karen Seidman, Director of Education and International Programs for Lighthouse International. The 2 new online courses are: "Low Vision Management of AMD," a course for optometrists and ophthalmologists and "Engaging Family Members When Vision Loss Hits Home," a course for all health care, rehabilitation and counseling providers. An award-winning, web-based platform created by Lighthouse International enables online courses to be accessible to professionals and paraprofessionals who may have impaired vision, as well as those who do not.
Face-to-Face Courses
In addition Lighthouse International's acclaimed core courses, "Comprehensive Clinical Low Vision Care," "Low Vision Therapy" and "Pediatric Low Vision Care" have been updated and are offered at Lighthouse International headquarters, giving participants an opportunity to see a multidisciplinary vision rehabilitation center in action. In addition to courses, Lighthouse International offers enhanced fieldwork, pre-service clinical training and post-doctoral training. Students in occupational therapy, nursing, social work, optometry, vision rehabilitation, as well as practicing optometrists and ophthalmologists can take advantage of these opportunities.
One new face to face course is "High Tech for the 21st Century". This course will help eye care, vision and rehabilitation professionals keep up on the latest technologically sophisticated devices for patients with impaired vision. The course includes a workshop featuring new-design spectacles, hand and stand magnifiers, telescopes and portable and stationary CCTVs and a hands-on introduction to current hardware and software.
Lighthouse courses, established in 1975, carry a wide range of discipline-specific continuing education credit. Renowned online and onsite faculty include such leaders in the field of low vision as Eleanor E. Faye, MD, Medical Director, Lighthouse International; and Bruce Rosenthal, OD, Chief of the Low Vision Practice, Lighthouse International.
Founded in 1905, Lighthouse International is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to preserving vision and to providing critically needed health care services to help people of all ages overcome the challenges of vision loss. Through services, education, research and advocacy, the Lighthouse enables people with low vision and blindness to enjoy safe, independent and productive lives. For more information about vision loss, its causes and what you can do about it, contact Lighthouse International at (800) 829-0500 or visit www.lighthouse.org
Registration is easy:
* Online at www.lighthouse.org/ce
* By phone: 212-821-9470 or 800- 829-0500
* By fax: 212- 821-9705
* Via e-mail:education@ligthhouse.org
Fall 2007 Continuing Education Course Descriptions in Brief
New Online Courses
ON1PR -- Low Vision Management of AMD
An interactive, online course for ophthalmologists and optometrists comprised of the following lessons: The low vision examination: Assessing functional vision in the patient with AMD; Macular pathology and low vision management; Optics of low vision devices; Prescribing low vision devices for the patient with AMD; Training AMD patients in device use; Reimbursement and information resources. Includes an easy tutorial on how to use the course.
ON3 - Engaging Family Members when Vision Loss Hits Home
An interactive, online course for professionals who are working in any capacity with older people with vision loss. Based on research findings, the course explores the feelings and issues that spouses, partners or other relatives experience when dealing with their family member's vision problems, and offers practical suggestions for how to help family members be supportive and enhance communication. Includes an interactive case study.
ON1PP -- Flex VRA: Flexible Vision Rehabilitation Assistant Training
A 38-lesson online and mentored training course designed to prepare paraprofessionals to assist vision rehabilitation professionals in the areas of rehabilitation teaching, orientation and mobility, and low vision. Lessons are interactive and self-paced. The Flex VRA courseware is accessible to students/mentors with low vision and those who use screen reader software.
Visit www.lighthouse.org/ce for more Lighthouse online courses.
Face-to-Face Courses
LV01A - Low Vision Management of AMD: A Practical Approach
A concentrated, one-day course on evaluating, instructing and prescribing for patients who have age-related macular degeneration. Participate in a hands-on survey of optical devices and learn about practice management issues.
For the: OD, MD
Tuition: $325
CE credits: 7 hours (COPE)
Date: October 23, 2007
Location: Tampa, Fl
LV02 - Comprehensive Clinical Low Vision Care
A three-day course on evaluating and prescribing for patients with the full range of conditions resulting in low vision. Prescribing, reimbursement and the latest in new devices are covered in this all-inclusive course.
For the: MD, OD
Tuition: $695
CE credits: 16 hours (COPE); 17.5 hours (CME)
Dates: October 9-11, 2007
Location: New York, NY Lighthouse International
LV04 - Low Vision Therapy
A three-day course to help vision rehabilitation professionals and other non-prescribers expand their knowledge of low vision care. Device instruction techniques and issues are presented, and optical principles are explained.
Add-on modules covering visual skills (LV27) and pediatric low vision (LV28) are available (useful to those taking the Low Vision Therapist certification exam).
For the: Tech, VR, RN, Optician, OT, CPO, CPOA, CPOT
Tuition: $695
CE credits: 18 hours (JCAHPO, ACVREP); 1.8 hours (AOTA)
Dates: October 9-11, 2007
Location: New York, NY Lighthouse International
LV07 - High Tech for the 21st Century
A one-day course that helps eye care, vision and rehabilitation professionals keep up on the latest technologically sophisticated devices for patients with impaired vision. The course includes a workshop featuring new-design spectacles, hand and stand magnifiers, telescopes and portable and stationary CCTVs and a hands-on introduction to current hardware and software.
For the: MD, OD, COA, COT, COMT, VR, RN, Optician, OT, CPO, CPOA, CPOT
Tuition: $350
CE credits: 6 hours (COPE); 6 hours (CME); 6 hours (JACHPO); 6 hours (ACVREP); .6 hours (AOTA)
Date: December 4, 2007
Location: New York City
LV11 - Pediatric Low Vision Care
A two-day course on evaluating and prescribing for children with vision impairments. It features information about developmentally appropriate assessment tools, optical devices, vision rehabilitation services and assistive technology for children.
For the: MD, OD, VR, TVI, OT, and Orthopedist
Tuition: $675
CE credits: 12 hours (CME, COPE); 1.2 hours (AOTA)
Dates: November 1-2, 2007
Location: New York, NY Lighthouse International
OBS01 -- Observership
By special arrangement, ophthalmologists and optometrists from the US and abroad can arrange to spend time at Lighthouse International in a specially designed program that combines coursework with opportunities to observe low vision clinical staff.
WK01 -- Advanced Clinical Module for Optometrists and Ophthalmologists
Optometrists and ophthalmologists who have already taken approved low vision coursework can apply for this interactive, intensive one- to three-day session to gain hands-on, supervised practice with the components of the low vision examination procedure. Take your practice of low vision to the next level.
INT01-- Field Placements, Internships and Rotations
Lighthouse International welcomes professionals in training from a variety of disciplines. Field placements for students in Social Work, Vision Rehabilitation, Occupational Therapy and Optometry; and rotations for Residents in Ophthalmology, are available as space allows.
To register or for additional information, contact the Lighthouse Center for Education at: phone (212) 821-9470; fax (212) 821-9705; email education@lighthouse.org or visit www.lighthouse.org/ce
The complete 2007 Continuing Education Calendar is available at www.lighthouse.org