29 October 2024, Doha, Qatar – In a significant step towards enhancing patient care, Corporate Rehabilitation Therapy Services at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has introduced Qatar’s first dedicated Neurovision Rehabilitation services designed to address the needs of both adult and paediatric patients with vision impairments caused by neurological conditions such as neurodevelopmental disorders, stroke, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). This initiative aligns with HMC's strategic vision to provide excellence in service delivery and patient experience, as envisioned in Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy.
Vision impairments are common in neurological disorders, with global research showing that approximately 73% of stroke survivors and 74% of TBI patients experience some form of neurovision deficit. In children, Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) is also prevalent, particularly among those with neurological conditions, occurring at a rate of 10 per 10,000 population. These impairments can have a debilitating impact on patients, limiting their ability to perform daily tasks and significantly affecting their quality of life.
Patients with neurovision impairments often report seeing double, experiencing blurry vision, difficulties perceiving one side of their visual field or frequently knocking over objects. Unfortunately, these symptoms are often overlooked due to limited understanding of neurovision rehabilitation.
Recognising the urgent need for a specialised service, the Corporate Rehabilitation Therapy Services at HMC, under the leadership of Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad, Deputy Chief for Rehabilitation, Long-Term, and Geriatric Care, and Lead of Corporate Rehabilitation Therapy Services has launched this initiative. Dr. Hanadi emphasised, "We currently lack a comprehensive neurovision rehabilitation service in rehabilitation settings along with the specialised expertise needed to effectively address the unmet needs of patients with neurovision impairments. Our aim is to establish a dedicated, evidence-based neurovision rehabilitation program at HMC that supports the overall recovery of our patients."
To build the necessary skills and knowledge among healthcare professionals, a three-day workshop titled Vision Rehabilitation in Neurorehabilitation Settings was held at HMC’s Qatar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI) from 15 to 17 October 2024. Led by international expert Mr. Robert L. Constantine, a registered occupational therapist from the United States with over 27 years of experience in neurovision rehabilitation, the workshop provided intensive training for 23 allied health professionals, including optometrists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists from various HMC hospitals.
Dr. Hanadi added that improving vision is critical to enhancing cognitive and physical function, particularly during the crucial six-month post-stroke or TBI recovery period. "By equipping our interdisciplinary team with neurovision assessment and treatment techniques, we can significantly improve the functional outcomes of patients and offer the highest standard of care."
Mr. Sultan Salim Hammam Al Abdulla, Assistant Executive Director of Clinical Services for Occupational Therapy Services at HMC, remarked, "This workshop is a major step forward in addressing neurorehabilitation. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, we can begin to fill the gap in neurovision rehabilitation services in Qatar."
The workshop concluded with the development of a process flow for implementing vision rehabilitation services across both paediatric and adult settings. This strategic plan will serve as a roadmap for the successful integration of neurovision services into HMC’s rehabilitation framework.
During the closing ceremony, Mr. Premraj Issac Chandran, Health Service Manager and Acting Director of Occupational Therapy Services, Mr. Al-Madzhar Jundam Ahmadul, Health Service Manager and Acting Director of Physical Therapy Services, and Dr. Ajimsha M Sharafudeen, Director of Rehabilitation at QRI, expressed their commitment to driving this initiative forward and enhancing the quality of life for patients with neurovision impairments.
