The Neuro Vision Technologies Scanning Device is a unique computerized tool used for the assessment and training of people with a Neurological Vision Impairment. The Neuro Vision Technologies Scanning Device is portable and is provided with a dedicated laptop to run the unique client management, assessment, training and research software.

The training package consists of a competency based assessment and training manual, workbooks and exercises in proven techniques for O & M Instructors, Rehabilitation Instructor s, Occupational Therapists and other rehabilitation professionals, involving the Neuro Vision Technologies Scanning Device and standard mobility methodology.

The training programme objectives are to train a person with Neurological Vision Impairment to maximize the use of their remaining vision and to become as independent as possible.

The training programme provides:

• An understanding of the effects of an Acquired Brain Injury ( ABI ) on the neurological vision system.
• An understanding of additional cognitive deficits associated with ABI and their implications for safe, independent mobility.
• Training in the use of the software package for collecting and management of client data, providing standardised assessments and conducting training sequences.
• Training in the use of the Neuro Vision Technologies Scanning Device as an assessment tool for determining the presence of homonymous hemianopia and/or visuo-spatial neglect.
• A programme of compensatory scanning exercises that will enhance the client's functional use of residual vision.
• Skills that will enable the O & M Instructor/Vision Rehabilitation professional to transfer scanning strategies to the client's home and community setting.
• Skills that will enable the O & M Instructor to accurately determine the need for a mobility aid and /or restrictions to travel limits.

• NVT Brochure
• Fact Sheets - Statistics

Incidence Projections of Neurological Vision Impairment

Georg Kerkoff, also a Neuropsychologist stated: "About 20-30% of all patients in neurological rehabilitation centres have homonymous visual field disorders."

He further stated: "50% of the patients in a head trauma rehabilitation centre show visual system disorders not assessed before although most of the patients were chronic and had been treated in other hospitals previously."

So if we use the conservative percentage of 33% of the population diagnosed with acquired brain injury suffer from neurological vision impairment, it would equate to the following projections:

It is possible there is a consequential lack of appropriate visual rehabilitation for people with a neurological vision impairment.

Ref: Zihl .... Kerkoff ....

Implications of Neurological Vision Impairment on Outcomes of Rehabilitation Programmes

Following a CVA or ABI a person will receive the following therapy programs:

•  Physiotherapy - loss of body functions or reduced movement.

•  Occupational Therapy - upper body strength and activities of daily living.

•  Speech Therapy - swallowing, word pronunciation, comprehension etc.

If the incidence of NVI is as previously stated then why is a Vision Therapy program not part of the therapy provided by an interdisciplinary team.

How difficult must it be for a patient who has an unaddressed NVI, who is wheeled from the bedroom to the Physio dept, to the O.T department, and who is having difficulty recognising the environment through which he is passing or is only seeing a portion of the environment and can not visually make sense of the world he is seeing.

Surely the vision loss has to impede on the whole of the rehabilitation process and the patient's best outcome and length of hospital stay.