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New York/New Jersey VA Health Care Network

 

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation - Vision Services

Vision Rehabilitation Services

Veterans who have been seen by a VA or community optometrist or ophthalmologist and are experiencing functional difficulty can be further evaluated by VA’s Vision Rehabilitation Services.

Veterans who may need vision rehabilitation:
  • Have been declared legally blind
  • Have a visual acuity of 20/70 or less
  • Operation Enduring Freedom, Operations Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) veterans with 20/20 vision but have sensitivity to light or trouble reading
Services include:
  • Evaluation for:
    • Magnifiers, reading glasses, telescopes (to see distance)
    • Assistive aids
    • Sun glasses to help control glare
  • Teaching Techniques/strategies to accomplish:
    • Cooking
    • Home management
    • Training
Vision Rehabilitation Services Logo
Referrals can be submitted by the Veteran, family, health care professional, or other concerned individuals. For more information, please contact:

Albany
(516) 626-6367
(516) 626-5587

Bath
(607) 664-4615

Canandaigua
(585) 393-7131

Syracuse
(315) 425-4381

Western NY Healthcare at Buffalo
(716) 862-7438

Resources
Blinded Veteran’s Association *
National VA Blind Rehabilitation Services
Time Well Spent (part 1 of 2) *
Time Well Spent (part 2 of 2) *


What is the difference between Vision Rehabilitation Service & an Ophthalmologist?
All care received in the Vision Rehabilitation Services is functionally based. For example, if telling time or cooking meals is the veterans biggest concern specially trained staff help the veteran manage those tasks.

All care received by an Ophthalmologist is medically based. The Ophthalmologist manages the health of the eyes and treats diseases of the eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who does the patient see when they come to clinic?
  • Our staff includes: low vision optometrists, low vision therapist, a Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Coordinator, and at some sites a Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS)
What is the cost to the patient?
  • There is no cost for eligible veterans
How does a veteran get an appointment?
  • If you are already enrolled in VA Health Care you can call the Vision Rehabilitation Service directly at the nearest VA
  • If a veteran is not currently enrolled in VA Health Care, they can contact VA Eligibility office at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or apply on line at Enroll Today.
If you have additional questions please contact the VA nearest you.

Audiology/Speech | Chaplaincy | Imaging | Laboratory
Pharmacy | Prosthetics | Rehabilitation


* Link will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked web sites. The link will open in a new window.


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