Creating a rehabilitation program for people with very limited vision
Official title: Development of a Multi-sensory Rehabilitation Program for People with Ultra Low Vision
Funded at State College of Optometry · NIH-10928273 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new rehabilitation program that uses sights, sounds, and touch to help people with very limited vision improve their daily activities and overall quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State College of Optometry NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $248,600 |
| NIH project number | 5R00EY033031-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10928273 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with ultra-low vision who are seeking rehabilitation options to enhance their functional abilities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with total blindness or those whose visual impairment is not classified as ultra-low vision may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a multi-sensory rehabilitation program for individuals with ultra-low vision (ULV), which is a level of visual impairment that allows for some functional vision but not enough to see detailed shapes. The project aims to explore how combining visual input with auditory and tactile cues can enhance daily activities and overall functional performance for those with ULV. By utilizing advanced technologies like virtual reality and sensory integration techniques, the researchers will assess the effectiveness of this new rehabilitation approach. The goal is to create a validated program that can improve the quality of life for individuals with severe visual impairments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the daily functioning and independence of patients with ultra-low vision.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using multi-sensory integration techniques for rehabilitation, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
State College of Optometry
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kartha, Arathy Ganga — State College of Optometry
- Study coordinator: Kartha, Arathy Ganga
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.