Ava Bittner Laboratory
Low Vision Rehabilitation
Advancing the field of low vision care.
Ava K. Bittner, Ph.D., O.D.
Professor
Smotrich Family Optometric Clinician-Scientist Chair
Department of Ophthalmology
Jules Stein Eye Institute
ABittner@mednet.ucla.eduFaculty Profile
Vision RehabilitationORCID Profile
Dr. Ava K. Bittner is an internationally renowned professor in the field of vision rehabilitation research whose collaborative work aims to improve visual ability and functioning in patients with vision loss. She leads the design and conduct of multicenter clinical trials involving innovative interventions, such as telerehabilitation and other technologies. Her team's pioneering work has significantly advanced our understanding of visual impairment, including its assessment, impact on individuals, and management strategies.
Recent Publications
Apps for people with vision impairment: an international review of practitioner suggestions and app availability
Vijaya K Gothwal, Andrew Miller, Mei Ying Boon, Ahalya Subramanian, Alexis Malkin, Ava K Bittner
Clinical and Experimental Optometry (2026)
View PublicationReal-world driving behaviors in individuals with homonymous visual field loss: insights from a naturalistic driving study
Seonggyu Choe, Patrick Baker, Thomas S. Park, Ava K. Bittner, David Simpson, Kara S. Hanson, Rachelle J. Lin, Patrick D. Yoshinaga, Alex R. Bowers
Accident Analysis & Prevention (2026)
View PublicationPatient Preferences for the PRIMA Retinal Prosthesis for Vision Restoration for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An International Survey Study
Mahiul M. K. Muqit, Gianfrancesco M. Villani, Mariem Dami, Vasyl Druchkiv, Giulia Spampinato, Sara Cadoni, Ralf Hornig, Frank G. Holz, Ava K. Bittner
Translational Vision Science & Technology (2026)
View PublicationUse and preferences of advanced driver assistance systems by drivers with homonymous visual field loss
Jing Xu, Patrick Baker, Ava K. Bittner, Max Estabrook, David Simpson, Kara S. Hanson, Sara McWilliams, Patrick Yoshinaga, Rachelle Lin, Alex R. Bowers
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology (2026)
View PublicationTransitioning vision rehabilitation patients from over-the-counter magnifiers to prescribed aids
Ava K. Bittner, Patrick D. Yoshinaga, John E. Kaminski
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology (2025)
View PublicationLife space limitations in visually impaired older adults
Ava K. Bittner, Micaela Gobeille, Alexis G. Malkin, Jeffrey Ho, Cecilia Idman‐Rait, Max Estabrook, Nicole C. Ross, for the CARE Study Team
Optometry and Vision Science (2024)
View PublicationFactors related to training time and achieving proficiency with visual‐assistive mobile applications in visually impaired older adults
Alexis G. Malkin, Ava K. Bittner, Jeffrey Ho, Cecilia Idman‐Rait, Max Estabrook, Nicole C. Ross, for the CARE Study Team, Jewel Chu, Sarah Zoe Bui, Joyce Kuo, Cindy Pabla, Bridget Peterson, Meghan Knizak, Priyanshi Patel, Chris Yeung, Erika Pacheco, Bethany Arabic
Optometry and Vision Science (2024)
View PublicationRasch analysis of the new general self efficacy scale: an evaluation of its psychometric properties in older adults with low vision
Micaela Gobeille, Ava K. Bittner, Alexis G. Malkin, Jeffrey Ho, Cecilia Idman-Rait, Max Estabrook, Nicole C. Ross, for the CARE Study Team
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes (2024)
View PublicationOutcomes of Telerehabilitation Versus In-Office Training With Magnification Devices for Low Vision: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Ava K. Bittner, John E. Kaminski, Patrick D. Yoshinaga, John D. Shepherd, Tiffany L. Chan, Alexis G. Malkin, Ashley Deemer, Micaela Gobeille, Stacy J. Thoene, Annemarie Rossi, Nicole C. Ross, for the BeST-AID Study Team
Translational Vision Science & Technology (2024)
View PublicationNew insights into visually impaired patients' preferred reading illumination and home‐based reading speed with new task‐lighting
Samantha McIntosh, Megan Yu, Max Estabrook, Ava K. Bittner
Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (2023)
View Publication