Use of a motorized wheelchair in conjunction with a guide dog for the legally blind and physically disabled

There is limited literature concerning use of wheelchairs by patients with combined visual impairment and neuromuscular diseases. This case report describes the use of a motorized wheelchair and guide dog by a legally blind patient with severe visual loss due to oculocutaneous albinism. He had concomitant decreased functional mobility from degenerative joint disease of both knees, which limited his ambulation capability. After careful consideration of risks and a successful trial of its use in the corridors of our institution, as well as successfully traveling with it outdoors, he was given a motorized wheelchair. He has continued to use it safely and successfully along with his guide dog. Combined visual and neuromuscular diseases will be encountered with increasing frequency because of the aging population, and it is therefore important for physiatrists to be able to provide assistive devices for such individuals. Vision loss is not an absolute contraindication to motorized wheelchair use.