
Vision loss has many causes, comes in various forms and progresses at unique rates.
No matter the diagnosis, however, it is almost always met with some combination of fear and uncertainty.
That’s where Julie Nastasi ’01, Sc.D., OTD associate professor in occupational therapy, and the Leahy Low Vision Clinic enter with clinical experience; and perhaps, more importantly, a compassionate bedside manner to relieve clients and restore their hope and independence.
Having officially opened in spring 2016, the clinic’s 10-year anniversary is approaching. It has served upward of a dozen clients some years and a handful in others, but it has never turned anyone away.
“A lot of what we do in the clinic with the clients is explain to them their diagnosis,” Dr. Nastasi said.
For instance, macular degeneration is the most common age-related eye condition. It is serious and life-changing — but also manageable.
In explaining the condition, Dr. Nastasi balls up a fist and presses it against her forehead.
“Look through your fist. You can’t see where you’re directly looking, but everything on the outside? You’re still going to have that vision,” she says. “We’ll tell them, ‘Your whole world is not going to go to black.’ You can really alleviate their stress and anxiety just by explaining it.”
Dr. Nastasi, an instructor at the University since 2011, previously worked in hospitals as an occupational therapist. She understands the pace at which doctors work. Sometimes, they simply do not have the time to fully explain a diagnosis.
“We don’t bill here,” she said. “So, I can give good care the way care is supposed to be given because I don’t have the constraints of insurance or the demands of productivity and things like that.”
The clinic, which is located inside Leahy Hall, has never turned anyone away as referrals often come from Northeastern Eye Institute and Geisinger. Many clients are older and suffering from glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, a traumatic brain injury or stroke.
After receiving the referral form, Dr. Nastasi performs an evaluation.
“She gave me an eye exam. Without any equipment, that was the best eye exam I think I’ve ever had,” said client Madeline Strong, of Scranton. “She picked up on something right away and said, ‘Call your doctor.’”
Dr. Nastasi and her occupational therapy students — five of them this term — take the time to truly understand their clients.
“We want to know: Is it affecting your reading? Is it affecting your writing? What are the activities you want to be able to do?” Dr. Nastasi said. “We can’t fix their vision because it is a central nervous system disorder. However, I could teach them how to use their vision more effectively.”
$content.getChild('content').textValue
The clinic treats clients with numerous pieces of specialized equipment, including closed caption televisions, digital and handheld magnifiers, screen readers and text-to-speech tools.
Even taking a few minutes to explain how to use accessibility tools on a smartphone can make a world of difference.
“I’m not a hugger,” Dr. Nastasi said. “But I get lots of hugs from the folks we help.”
Strong is one of those clients who repaid her clinician with an emotional embrace.
“She’s been an angel, she really has,” Strong said.
Facilities offering low-vision services are rare and the Vision Center reports financial and healthcare system barriers, as well as structural and social detriments, often prevent people from getting the services they need.
The Leahy Low Vision Clinic sees patients by appointment only. For more information, please call 570-941-6112.
Ten Years of Compassionate Care at Leahy Low Vision Clinic
The Leahy Low Vision Clinic, opened 10 years ago, offers unique services to clients.