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


Wednesday, July 31, 2013

"It is amazing, I can’t believe it. I really enjoy them.”

Jarrod Church has had reduced vision since he was an infant. The Southwest Virginia native has been seen by several eye doctors and by the Virginia Department of the Blind and Vision Impaired. He has used a closed circuit reading machine but wanted to be able to read better, use his computer as well as watch sports and television. Jarrod came to me requesting help with those activities. I carefully evaluated Jarrod's vision and prescribed telescopic glasses adapted for reading and computer use and bioptic telescopic glasses to help Jarrod see better at a distance. He uses the second pair for television and to watch sports.

A few months after getting the low vision glasses Jarrod wrote, “After Dr. Armstrong got me the bioptic telescopes; I’ve seen things that I’ve never seen before. I went to Cincinnati to see the Reds play the Dodgers. I‘ve never been to a ball game before. With my bioptic telescopes I could actually see the baseball! I couldn’t believe that I saw every pitch thrown. It is amazing, I can’t believe it. I really enjoy them.”

With the computer telescopic glasses Jarrod says that he can see everything on the screen. He also uses them for reading and has read lots of books with them.

Jarrod finished his note “I just want to say THANK YOU Dr. Armstrong! My only regret is that I didn’t know about your great work sooner.”#biopticglasses
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