About Low Vision

There are many people who have a vision loss that is not correctable with typical eyeglasses or contact lenses. They've lost some vision and are unable to see well enough to participate in activities that are important to them. We say that these people have low vision. Eye diseases like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, Stargardt's disease and glaucoma, among others, are common causes of low vision.
For many years there have been optometrists who help low vision patients see better so they can return to a more normal life. Special telescopic or microscopic glasses are often prescribed which help the person return to reading, driving, using a computer, participating in hobbies or crafts. Some people are able to return to work.
Most of these people have been told by their eye doctors that nothing can be done to help them. It is true that there is no cure for these diseases and the vision will not return to normal. The job of the low vision optometrist is to evaluate the person's remaining vision and prescribe appropriate glasses or other devices which magnify what is seen, making it easier to see.

Free Telephone Consultation
My practice is totally dedicated to helping low vision patients. That is all that I do. I always speak with patients before scheduling a low vision evaluation. That helps me understand how much remaining vision they have and what their goals are. I also answer questions and give the person an idea of what to expect from the evaluation and from the special glasses. I only schedule people who I can help.
Call me for a free telephone consultation. I will be happy to speak with you and I will tell you if I can help you see better. Call toll free 1 866 321-2030
I see low vision patients in offices in Roanoke, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg and Wytheville, VA.

More information at VirginiaLowVision.com and facebook.com/VirginiaLowVisionOptometrist


Monday, December 6, 2010

Study: Alcohol consumption in diabetics causes vision loss

AOA First Look, December 6, 2010 reports on a study which shows that alcohol comsumption are at increased risk of blurry vision.  Among patients with type 2 diabetes, those with even moderate alcohol consumption (1 to 14 drinks/week) had significant visual acuity loss over five years of follow-up but no difference in development or progression of retinopathy.

People With Type 2 Diabetes Who Drink Alcohol At Increased Risk For Blurry Vision.

MedPage Today (12/3, Gever) reported, "People with type 2 diabetes who drink alcohol are at increased risk for blurry vision unrelated to retinopathy," according to a study published in the journal Diabetic Medicine. While "moderate drinking did not increase the risk for or progression of retinopathy in a study of more than 1,200 diabetics...it nearly doubled the risk of losing two eye-chart lines of visual acuity over an average of five years." The study authors theorized, "Alcohol is known for its neurotoxic properties, which could induce oxidative damage to the retina and the optic nerve, leading to visual loss."
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