CECOM PARIS

The Optic 2000 Foundation has taken an interest in providing free personalized support to visually impaired people by opening three orientation centers for the visually impaired (CECOM). In Paris, the center is located in the Institut de la Vision, in Lille, it is within the private hospital of La Louvière and in Besançon, it works in partnership with the association of Salins de Bregille. All these centres are free and have no commercial or medical purpose. Visually impaired people come directly to consult, but they can also be referred by an ophthalmologist, an optician, an orthoptist, a hospital or an association. They are welcomed by a specialized optician and orthoptist. The treatment lasts on average 1h30. A review is carried out of all the examinations, daily living conditions, priority expectations such as travelling by public transport, reading the mail, writing, watching television etc. Then, a vision project is established according to the needs. The optician proposes and tests adapted visual aids and then evaluates their effectiveness (lighting, filters, magnifiers, etc.). Sometimes, care paths are also proposed with different actors depending on the condition of the visually impaired person: occupational therapist, psychomotrician, optician, psychologist, association, medico-social structures, etc. Information on financial aid can be given to each person. A written and commented report is given to the visually impaired person and also sent to the prescribing ophthalmologist. The Cecom also has an educational function with the visually impaired person's carer so that the difficulties of everyday life are better understood.