RBI Empowering Eye Care Professionals:

Low Vision Specialty Training for Graduating Students

and Practicing Optometrists and Ophthalmologists

At Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI), we remain steadfast in our mission to provide support and services to those with visual impairments, including empowering the professionals who care for them. This is to make sure that patients with low vision would receive the quality eye care service that they deserve.

RBI’s Low Vision Specialty Training is a comprehensive program designed for graduating optometry students, practicing optometrists, and ophthalmologists who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of those with low vision.

Addressing a Critical Need in Eye Care

Low vision—a visual impairment that cannot be corrected with standard glasses, contact lenses, or surgery—impacts thousands of Filipinos, affecting their daily activities and quality of life. Unfortunately, access to specialized care for low vision remains limited. Through this training, RBI aims to bridge this gap by equipping the next generation of eye care professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to assess and provide solutions for individuals with low vision.

What the Training Offers

The Low Vision Specialty Training is a dynamic blend of  hands-on experience, theoretical instruction, and practical case studies. Participants will gain insight into:

– Comprehensive low vision assessment techniques
– Prescription of low vision aids such as magnifiers, telescopic lenses, and other devices
– Rehabilitation strategies to help patients maximize their remaining vision
– Holistic approaches to managing the emotional and psychological impact of vision loss

By working directly with patients and experienced professionals, trainees will develop confidence in diagnosing and managing low vision cases.

Shaping the Future of Low Vision Care

For practicing optometrists and ophthalmologists, this training provides an opportunity to expand their scope of practice, allowing them to better serve a population that is often overlooked. For graduating students, it offers an early specialization that could set the stage for a fulfilling career in low vision care.

RBI is proud to support this initiative, alongside partners, to ensure that more Filipinos with low vision can receive the care and support they deserve.

For more information,  please contact us at 8726-3021 to 24 and look for Dr. Joy Lim or Ms. Beng Garcia .

Having low vision cannot be fully corrected by the use of regular eyeglasses. It is considered a visual impairment, but unlike a person who is totally blind, a person with low vision still has some useful sight left. As such, their needs are different from someone who has no sight at all. What they generally need are some training on mobility and the use of special devices to minimize the difficulties associated with reduced visual ability.

Three years ago, we initiated strategies to enhance RBI’s low vision services by partnering with optometry colleges and national associations of optometrists. Today, we have fine-tuned continue our programs which now include low vision training for teachers, parents and other stakeholders.

In 2015, we were able to organize low vision training for 100 optometry students and conducted continuing education courses to 30 practicing optometrists. We also assessed and provided treatment to low vision patients and made low vision devices available for sale or for lending to students with varying degrees of vision loss.

The LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. Psalm 146:

While our main mission is to provide services to persons with visual impairment, we also have programs to prevent blindness and assist patients with low vision. Our approach is to establish meaningful linkages with government units to track down those who need eye care services, coordinate with community workers to implement projects and partner with eye care specialists to provide the necessary medical assessment and treatment.

Nationwide trainings and public awareness campaigns in barangays are conducted to effectively disseminate information that would equip the members of the community with knowledge and skills that would help prevent blindness.