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


Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Will Low Vision Glasses Help You? Test Yourself

Often when I am speaking with someone about their low vision problem I recommend that they try a test at home to show them if low vision glasses will help.  This is something that you may want to try before calling me for a free telephone consultation.  Here is what you do:

You will need a pair of binoculars.  It is best if they are no more than 7X (magnify 7 times or less).  The power is written right on them.  You will probably be able to borrow a pair if you don't own one.  If not, go to a store where they are sold.  Ask if you can try a pair right there in the store.  You don't need to buy them.

If you are at home, stand 15 feet or farther from your TV and see if the binoculars help you see it better.  Then ask someone to stand 20 feet from you, in good light.  Can you see their face better with the binoculars?  Take them outdoors. Are you able to see your neighbors house better?  Do they help you see the cars and the people better?  If you are at a store just look around the store, look at people's faces and the displays.  Do the binoculars help?

It is important that you do this test both with your glasses on and also without them. 

After you have tried the binocular test give me a call.  I will be happy to discuss your low vision problem with you.  Knowing how the binoculars helped will make it easier for me to determine if I can help you.  Call me toll free at 866 321-2030 for a free telephone consultation.

Good luck.  I hope that the binocular test shows you that magnification helps.  If they do I should be able to prescribe proper low vision glasses to help you return to some of the activities that you have been unable to do. #lowvision
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