Provide therapy to patients with visual impairments to improve their functioning in daily life activities. May train patients in activities such as computer use, communication skills, or home management skills.
U.S. Workers
152,280
Median Salary
$98,340
10-Year Growth
+13.8%
Annual Openings
10,200
Typical entry: Master's degree
20 of 20 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Write reports or complete forms to document assessments, training, progress, or follow-up outcomes.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can reliably generate, populate, and standardize assessment reports and documentation from input data and templates, automating most report-writing and form-completion tasks.
Teach cane skills, including cane use with a guide, diagonal techniques, and two-point touches.
AI: Partial - AI can provide video demonstrations, simulated practice, and remote feedback for cane techniques, but cannot deliver the in-person tactile guidance and safety oversight required for complete training.
Train clients to use tactile, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, and propioceptive information.
AI: Partial - AI can design multisensory training exercises and deliver auditory/tactile simulations, yet cannot fully replicate or supervise real-world multisensory experiential learning that requires physical prompts and safety monitoring.
Assess clients' functioning in areas such as vision, orientation and mobility skills, social and emotional issues, cognition, physical abilities, and personal goals.
AI: Partial - AI can administer standardized tests, analyze sensor and questionnaire data, and flag concerns, but cannot fully substitute for clinician observation and complex, contextual judgments across vision, mobility, cognition, and emotional domains.
Teach clients to travel independently, using a variety of actual or simulated travel situations or exercises.
AI: Partial - AI can provide simulated travel scenarios, route-planning, and remote coaching, but cannot guarantee safety or replace in-person navigation training and real-world practice needed for independent travel.
Monitor clients' progress to determine whether changes in rehabilitation plans are needed.
AI: Partial - AI can continuously monitor objective metrics, detect trends, and suggest plan adjustments, but clinical interpretation and decision-making about rehabilitation changes require human oversight.
Develop rehabilitation or instructional plans collaboratively with clients, based on results of assessments, needs, and goals.
AI: Partial - AI can generate personalized rehabilitation/instructional plans from assessment data and support collaborative goal-setting, but clinicians must validate, adapt for safety, and handle complex ethical or medical decisions.
Recommend appropriate mobility devices or systems, such as human guides, dog guides, long canes, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs).
AI: Partial - AI can generate evidence-based recommendations for mobility devices from guidelines and client-provided information but cannot perform the hands-on, contextual assessment or safety trialing required for a full professional prescription.
Train clients with visual impairments to use mobility devices or systems, such as human guides, dog guides, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs).
AI: Partial - AI can provide step-by-step instruction, training plans, and multimedia coaching for using mobility devices, but cannot physically guide, correct subtle motor/behavioral issues, or ensure safety during real-world training.
Collaborate with specialists, such as rehabilitation counselors, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists, to provide client solutions.
AI: Partial - AI can draft interdisciplinary plans, communications, and synthesize information to support collaboration, yet cannot replace real-time professional judgment, interpersonal negotiation, or legally responsible decision-making among specialists.
Provide consultation, support, or education to groups such as parents and teachers.
AI: Partial - AI can produce educational materials, presentations, and scripted consultations for parents and teachers, but cannot fully substitute for live, adaptive group facilitation and relationship-based support in all contexts.
Participate in professional development activities, such as reading literature, continuing education, attending conferences, and collaborating with colleagues.
AI: Partial - AI can read and synthesize literature, summarize continuing-education content, and suggest professional resources, yet cannot personally attend conferences or fully replicate interactive colleague collaboration without human mediation.
Train clients to read or write Braille.
AI: Partial - AI can provide instructional materials, drills, and remote feedback for Braille learning, but tactile instruction and individualized coaching typically require a human specialist.
Train clients to use adaptive equipment, such as large print, reading stands, lamps, writing implements, software, and electronic devices.
AI: Partial - AI can instruct on use of adaptive equipment and generate individualized training protocols and troubleshooting guidance, but cannot provide hands-on correction or verify effective equipment use in situ.
Design instructional programs to improve communication, using devices such as slates and styluses, braillers, keyboards, adaptive handwriting devices, talking book machines, digital books, and optical character readers (OCRs).
AI: Partial - AI can generate tailored instructional programs and resource materials for adaptive communication devices, yet customization, device-specific hands-on training, and clinical oversight remain necessary.
Administer tests and interpret test results to develop rehabilitation plans for clients.
AI: Partial - AI can score standardized tests and assist with interpretation to suggest rehabilitation plans, but cannot administer many in-person or performance-based assessments or fully replace clinician judgment for nuanced interpretations.
Refer clients to services, such as eye care, health care, rehabilitation, and counseling, to enhance visual and life functioning or when condition exceeds scope of practice.
AI: Partial - AI can identify appropriate referral options and generate referral documentation based on client data and service criteria, but cannot assume professional responsibility or manage complex care coordination independently.
Teach independent living skills or techniques, such as adaptive eating, medication management, diabetes management, and personal management.
AI: Partial - AI can teach and coach independent living skills with detailed instructions, simulations, and behavioral supports, but cannot provide in-person practice, immediate physical assistance, or comprehensive risk management required for full training.
Obtain, distribute, or maintain low vision devices.
AI: Partial - AI can manage inventory, ordering, and scheduling for low-vision devices but cannot physically obtain, distribute, or perform hands-on maintenance independently.
Identify visual impairments related to basic life skills in areas such as self care, literacy, communication, health management, home management, and meal preparation.
AI: Partial - AI can analyze vision test data and questionnaires to flag impairments affecting daily skills, but full assessment requires in-person observation and clinical judgment.