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


Friday, December 6, 2013

Help for Barry

Barry Hess was referred to me by his ophthalmologist. He came requesting help with vision loss caused by several longstanding problems. Mr. Hess was born with a very high amount of astigmatism in both eyes. He is a diabetic. His left eye has very limited vision and the better right eye corrects to about 20/80 with a high astigmatic eyeglass correction. Barry requested that I help him with his distance vision so he can continue driving and with his vision for reading. He wants to continue to do geneology research. With 2.2x bioptic telescopic glasses containing his astigmatism correction Barry meets the requirements for a Virginia limited drivers permit. He will be able to drive during daylight hours while wearing the telescopic glasses. In the picture you can see him reading with the Clear Image microscopic glasses that I prescribed. They magnify 2 times and contain his prescription for astigmatism. Barry can read very small print with them. Barry Hess is fortunate to be the patient of a doctor who recognized that he would benefit from low vision glasses. The referral to me for a low vision evaluation gave Barry the help he needed to continue with activities that he enjoyed but which had become very difficult for him. If you have some eye condition that is limiting your enjoyment of life ask your eye doctor if a low vision evaluation would be helpful. You may come to me by your doctor's referral or by calling me direct. Call me toll free at 1 866 321-2020. I'd love to be able to help you.