THE EFFECT OF VİSUAL PERCEPTİON REHABİLİTATİON ON FUNCTİONAL VİSİON İN CASES WİTH HEREDİTARY RETİNAL DYSTROPHY

Abstract

Hereditary retinal dystrophies (HRD) are genetic diseases that cause progressive vision loss. They occupy an important place among the causes of low vision, especially in childhood. Vision loss, which begins in childhood, increases with age, and these people may become dependent on others with increasing vision loss. In recent years, the development of the concept of neuroplasticity and learning through experience has shown that rehabilitation can increase functional vision in hereditary retinal diseases. In this context, the aim of this study is to increase the visual skills and functional vision of people with low vision due to HRD/Cone Dystrophy (CD) and to create a beginning for the development of vision rehabilitation approaches that reduce the level of disability and increase participation in social production. The population of our study consists of 180 patients registered at Ankara University Ophthalmology Clinic, Low Vision Rehabilitation and Vision Research Center. The sample size was calculated as a minimum of 16 patients with 80% margin of power and 5% margin of error, and since CD was in the rare disease group, the pre-rehabilitation values of the patients were used as the control group. From the total population, 19 patients were randomly included in the study. Electroretinography (ERG) was used to confirm that the selected patient group had CD. In addition to visual acuity, refractive value measurement, anterior segment, fundus, and eye movements examinations, contrast sensitivity, Microperimetry, MVPT_4 test (Visual perception skills test), NVFQ-25 low vision quality of life scale, MNRead reading tests were applied. In rehabilitation applications, manual methods and the most commonly used digital device in this regard, Bernell Vision Trainer (OTSP1SO and OTSP1), were used. ICF coding was applied to all patients. As a result, visual rehabilitation applications were effective in functional vision levels and improving visual skills. It was found that they increased the quality of life.

Keywords: Hereditary Retinal Dystrophies, Cone Dystrophy, Neuroplasticity, Vision Rehabilitation, Quality of Life