BACKGROUND Telerehabilitation has emerged as a promising approach for delivering low vision rehabilitation services remotely; however, evidence regarding its usability, patient adherence, and effectiveness remains limited. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate usability and patient adherence to a low vision telerehabilitation program. Secondary objectives were to assess its effectiveness and clinical benefits. METHODS Forty-four visually impaired participants with various ocular pathologies were enrolled from five low vision rehabilitation centers. The telerehabilitation software was individually configured for each participant. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations were performed before and after completion of the rehabilitation program. Moreover, usability was assessed using the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ), administered after completion of the telerehabilitation sessions. RESULTS The overall mean PSSUQ score was 1.85 (SD = 0.96), indicating high perceived usability. Mean scores for System Usefulness, Information Quality, and Interface Quality were 1.45 (SD = 0.87), 1.77 (SD = 1.50), and 2.01 (SD = 1.32), respectively. High adherence was observed, with 41 participants completing the prescribed exercises. The mean overall completion rate was 97.2% (SD = 5.2). Statistically significant improvements were found in binocular reading acuity and contrast sensitivity after training (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Both participants and low vision therapists reported positive evaluations regarding the usability and acceptability of the telerehabilitation program. The findings suggest that low vision telerehabilitation is feasible and effective, with significant improvements in visual performance, particularly in reading acuity and contrast sensitivity.

Purpose: The purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate the prevalence of Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) among patients attending the National Centre of Service and Research for the Prevention of Blindness and Vision Rehabilitation of the Visually Impaired, Rome, Italy. Furthermore, the research aimed to delineate the psychological profile of these individuals to determine whether significant differences exist compared with visually impaired patients who do not experience hallucinatory phenomena and to identify likely predictors. Methods: A preliminary cross-sectional analysis was conducted on a convenience sample of patients recruited between January 2025 and December 2025. Prevalence was calculated based on structured clinical interviews, while the psychological profile was assessed by comparing the CBS group with a control group (non-CBS) matched for visual acuity. Participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmological and psychological assessments, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), reading acuity (RA), contrast sensitivity (CS), fixation stability, and retinal sensitivity (RS). Psychological status was evaluated using the Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7). Patients experiencing CBS were further interviewed regarding the specific characteristics and patterns of their hallucinations. The association between CBS and both psychological profiles and visual function parameters was evaluated using regression analysis. Results: Out of 385 individuals screened, 120 participants (58% women; mean age 55.4 ± 18.8 years) were included; CBS was detected in 19%. No significant differences were observed between participants with and without CBS in demographic variables or psychological questionnaire scores (p > 0.05). Mean SCL-90-R, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 scores indicated mild psychological distress, depression, and anxiety, with no significant group differences (p > 0.05). Using standard cut-off values, depressive and anxiety symptoms were prevalent in 65% and 88% of participants, respectively, but were not significantly associated with CBS in chi-square or logistic regression analyses (p > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis of SCL-90 scores showed that only anxiety was significantly associated with hallucination occurrence among the visually impaired participants (OR = 0.27; 95% CI = 0.08–0.87; p < 0.05). Among the visual function parameters, poorer RA in the worse eye was significantly associated with CBS (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study confirms that CBS is a prevalent, yet frequently under-reported, condition within rehabilitation settings. While overall visual function did not differ significantly between patients with and without CBS, reduced reading acuity (RA) in the worse eye emerged as a potential specific risk factor. Characterizing the psychological profile of these patients is essential to differentiate the syndrome from psychiatric disorders and to develop tailored support pathways. Despite its preliminary nature, this research underscores the necessity of systematic screening to enhance clinical management and the emotional well-being of visually impaired individuals. Consequently, integrating psychological support into visual rehabilitation programs is vital to addressing the high prevalence of comorbid anxiety and depression.