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, August 26, 2014

I Can Read For Hours

   I had a call today from a low vision patient, Joseph.  He has lost vision from macular degeneration and was referred to me by his ophthalmologist.  What Joseph really wanted to do was read the New York Times.  He hoped that I could help him with that.
   Joseph's vision with his glasses was 20/60 on the day of his low vision evaluation.  He was not doing badly for distance vision.  It was the reading that bothered him.  The thorough low vision evaluation revealed that his near vision could be improved nicely with telemicroscopic glasses.  The ones that I prescribed magnified almost 2 times and focused at 10 inches from his face.  He could easily read the Times.
   Today, Joseph called to tell me how well he is doing and how much he likes the glasses.  "I can read for hours with them" he told me.  "I love them".
Telemicroscopic glasses with iPad
   One other thing that has helped Joseph's reading is that he has good light.  He took my advice and bought an Ott Lite.  The Ott Lite gives him plenty of soft, no glare, daylight right on his paper.  I recommend an Ott Lite for anyone who has vision loss.  They really help.
   I am pleased that Joseph has been able to get back to reading the Times.  It is very satisfying to be able to help people return to activities that they enjoy but had been unable to do. #maculardegeneration #microscopicglasses
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