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, August 5, 2013

Help for a Stargardt's patient

I recently dispensed low vision glasses to Kris Cavanagh, a young mom from Virginia.  Kris has had Stargardt's Disease for about 9 years and her vision is reduced to 20/120 in each eye.  Stargardt's disease is also known as juvenile macular degeneration.  Like macular degeneration, Stargardt's patients lose their central vision.  Things straight ahead become progressively more blurred.

Kris' husband found about me from the internet.  He has read the entries in this blog telling how others have been helped by low vision glasses.

About a month ago I performed a low vision evaluation on Kris.  After evaluating her vision with several low vision devices I prescribed two different types of low vision glasses for her.  The picture shows her with her new spectacle miniature (bioptic) telescopes.  Because she is very light sensitive  the lenses have a dark grey tint.  The telescopes improve her vision from 20/120 to better than 20/60.  That will allow her to obtain a special Virginia driver' permit allowing her to drive during daylight hours while wearing the bipotics.

The second pair have specially designed telescopic lenses focused at 10 feet.  She will use them for watching television.  By adding additional lenses over the telescopes they'll focus closer so she can use her computer without increasing the size of the font as much.

As they left my office, Kris and her son were excitedly talking about the things that they would be able to do now that she is able to see better.  They are planning some miniature golf and Kris is looking forward to watching her son play flag football.

Kris Cavanagh is a good example of how a person  dealing with vision loss from eye disease can benefit from appropriately prescribed telescopic glasses.  If you have a problem with your vision that can't be helped with regular glasses give me a call.  I'll be happy to discuss your situation and tell you if I'll be able to help.  Call toll free 866 321-2030.
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