What happens when a person experiences significant vision loss? What do they feel? What might they need to cope with this situation? What role does the family play? What resources are available to the affected person and their family?
Significant or severe vision loss resulting in what is called low vision—or the possibility of developing it in the near future—can cause considerable stress, sometimes intense, due to the need to adapt to this new visual condition and its impact on various areas of life.
People with vision impairment need tools, learning, and skills to adequately adjust to this new reality.
The Psychological Care Service we offer at the Barcelona Macula Foundation focuses primarily on the affected person and their family. The program’s goal is to equip individuals with low vision with the knowledge, strategies, and resources to carry out daily activities.
We understand that adapting after significant vision loss is fundamental to leading as normal a life as possible. Therefore, the BMF offers this service free of charge to patients of the Institut de la Màcula, with which it maintains close collaboration.
What do we offer?
Low vision should not lead to a less autonomous life, limitations, or feelings of dissatisfaction. A person facing this situation, especially when it is sudden, may develop negative beliefs, low mood, intense stress, apathy, resignation, and other undesirable behaviors.
For this reason, we have created a psychological care service led by a psychologist and psychotherapist specialized in adjustment to visual impairment and low vision. With proper emotional support and psychological care, it becomes easier to face visual pathology and its possible consequences adaptively.
This service helps the affected person adopt a resourceful attitude and promotes learning and skills that support autonomous functioning in all aspects of life.
Goals we aim to achieve
In the psychological area, we are committed to supporting the personal development of our patients as they face visual pathology, including low vision and its consequences. Psychologically, our objectives are met when:
- thoughts and beliefs about low vision are integrative and constructive,
- living with visual impairment does not generate negative emotional states,
- and as a result of the above, an active attitude is adopted that leads to participation and enjoyment in different areas of daily life.
Services offered within this program
Care for the individual
Therapeutic support for individuals with significant or severe vision loss. This is provided through scheduled sessions with a psychologist, starting with an initial interview to assess, together with the patient, the need to manage the emotions generated by this situation and adapt to their vision loss.
Care for the family
Mutual support groups that provide a space for accompaniment and support. These meetings facilitate the exchange of experiences among families living with someone who has significant vision loss and offer guidance aimed at reducing negative emotional aspects and promoting beneficial behaviors.
Professional advice
Providing insight from knowledge and experience, and offering resources so professionals can better support individuals experiencing severe vision loss.
Psychological care may be suggested by Institut professionals or requested by the patient.
If you think we can help, please contact us, and our team of professionals will promptly arrange an initial interview for you.