Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Corporate Rehabilitation Therapy Services has introduced Qatar’s first dedicated Neurovision Rehabilitation Program to support adult and pediatric patients experiencing vision impairments due to neurological issues, such as neurodevelopmental disorders, strokes, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
This initiative aligns with HMC’s commitment to delivering top-tier patient care, as outlined in Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy. Vision impairments are a common yet often overlooked effect of neurological disorders; research shows that around 73% of stroke survivors and 74% of TBI patients experience some degree of neurovision deficit, while cortical visual impairment is prevalent among children with neurological conditions, affecting approximately 10 out of every 10,000 children.
Symptoms of neurovision impairment, such as double vision, blurred sight, challenges in perceiving certain areas of the visual field, and frequent knocking over of objects, can go undetected due to limited awareness and resources in neurovision care. Led by Dr. Hanadi al-Hamad, deputy chief for Rehabilitation, Long-term, and Geriatric Care at HMC, the new program aims to establish a specialized, evidence-based approach to neurovision rehabilitation.
As part of this program’s development, HMC hosted a three-day workshop titled “Vision Rehabilitation in Neurorehabilitation Settings” at the Qatar Rehabilitation Institute. The event, led by U.S.-based expert Robert L. Constantine, provided advanced training in neurovision rehabilitation techniques to 23 allied health professionals, including optometrists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists from various HMC facilities.
Dr. Hanadi emphasized that improving vision is crucial to enhancing cognitive and physical function, especially within the critical six-month recovery window following a stroke or TBI. She added, “By equipping our interdisciplinary team with neurovision assessment and treatment techniques, we can significantly improve functional outcomes and uphold the highest standard of care.”
Sultan Salim Hammam al-Abdulla, assistant executive director of Clinical Services for Occupational Therapy Services at HMC, described the workshop as a major advancement in neurorehabilitation, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration to address a gap in neurovision services in Qatar.
The workshop concluded with a strategic plan outlining the integration of neurovision services across adult and pediatric rehabilitation settings, laying the foundation for neurovision rehabilitation as a key part of HMC’s healthcare offerings.
