Mass Eye and Ear offers a unique service that provides psychotherapy support to patients with vision loss and eye trauma and diseases. The service’s director, Ethan Lester, PhD, a clinical psychologist at Mass General Brigham, explains.
At Mass Eye and Ear, we take pride in providing comprehensive and compassionate care to our patients, not only addressing their physical health needs but also offering vital support for their mental and emotional well-being. One of the ways we do this is through the Embedded Behavioral Health Service, a unique and innovative psychology service within Mass Eye and Ear’s Ophthalmology Department. Established six years ago through a collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, the service was created to meet the growing mental health needs of our patients, their families, and even our staff – all within a department that traditionally lacked behavioral health resources.
A Unique Psychosocial Approach
Our service integrates behavioral health professionals directly into the ophthalmology service lines, making it more accessible to patients who may otherwise face barriers in seeking mental health support. We currently see patients over the age of 18 who have a permanent address in Massachusetts and are receiving care at Mass Eye and Ear ophthalmology clinics that include Ocular Trauma, Vision Rehabilitation, as well as a small pilot in Inherited Retinal Disorders. Our service is staffed by me, (Ethan Lester, PhD, clinical psychologist and service director) and Pannu Khin, PhD, a clinical postdoctoral fellow.
This resource is particularly beneficial for individuals coping with visual impairment or illness, as it helps them adjust psychosocially to the challenges posed by their conditions.
By embedding within the ophthalmology department, we can provide a holistic approach to patient care – one that recognizes the profound psychological impacts that eye diseases and vision loss can have on individuals. The service is designed to co-occur with medical treatment, helping patients navigate the emotional and psychological challenges that often accompany serious ophthalmic conditions.
Working with Vision Rehabilitation Patients
At the heart of our service is its collaboration with the Vision Rehabilitation Service at Mass Eye and Ear, which is staffed by a team of skilled optometrists and administrative professionals. This team plays a crucial role in ensuring patients receive the proper care and functional support for a wide range of ophthalmic issues.
Each patient referred to the Vision Rehabilitation Service is first evaluated by an optometrist before being considered for psychotherapy services. The evaluation process is thorough yet efficient, typically lasting between 45 and 60 minutes. During this initial session, the clinician will assess whether the patient is an appropriate fit for the Embedded Behavioral Health Service. Throughout the process, front desk staff assist patients by administering screening forms and helping them with their check-in procedures for both in-person and virtual visits including initial evaluations and follow-up appointments. If enrolled, a patient will receive six to eight sessions of skill-based psychotherapy
The core focus behind embedding these services is helping patients adjust to the emotional and psychological impact of vision loss and disability. Our approach is not designed to provide long-term therapy or serve as a replacement for general psychiatric care. Instead, it offers focused, short-term support aimed at helping patients cope with the unique challenges that come with low vision and other visual impairments. These therapeutic interventions address various aspects of adjustment, including managing the emotional strain of vision loss, improving coping strategies, and finding practical ways to enhance quality of life.
While our approach is not intended for individuals with severe or persistent mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or active substance use disorders, it offers invaluable support for those whose mental health concerns are tied to visual illness and adjustment. Patients already receiving psychotherapy in the community are not excluded from the service, provided their focus aligns with visual illness adjustment.
Forging Community Connections
Another major component of our collaboration with the Vision Rehabilitation Service is community outreach. In February, we led an educational event for seniors at Lasell Village in Newton, Mass. Approximately 20 seniors attended, where they learned about common challenges faced by individuals with vision loss, how aging can impact eye health, and the specialized services available at Mass Eye and Ear to help them navigate these issues.
The session also highlighted how we can support emotional health and psychological well-being, helping seniors better understand the mental health aspects of living with visual impairments. The 2-hour program ended with a 30-minute support group where seniors discussed their challenges and strengths related to their experience of vision loss. We developed the event thanks to a community partnership spearheaded by optometrist Samira Mortazavi, OD.
This outreach program is just one example Mass Eye and Ear’s commitment to educating the community, raising awareness, and providing essential resources to those who need them most and may not otherwise be aware of the services we offer.
These programs are also vital for building trust and ensuring that patients feel comfortable seeking help when they need it. For patients dealing with vision loss and the emotional challenges that accompany it, having access to supportive services can make a significant difference in their overall well-being.
By integrating behavioral health professionals into the ophthalmology department, Mass Eye and Ear can offer a more comprehensive approach to care, one that goes beyond vision treatment and addresses the emotional and psychological needs of our patients. This innovative service has already made a profound impact on many lives, and our commitment to expanding these services to other clinics reflects the growing recognition of the importance of addressing both physical and mental health in the treatment of ophthalmic conditions.
Through programs like these, we strive to provide not only the best in medical care but also the compassionate, holistic support that our patients need to live fulfilling and empowered lives.
Learn more about the Vision Rehabilitation Service at Mass Eye and Ear or call 617-573-4177 for an appointment.
