skip to main |
skip to sidebar
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
Vision Loss from Sarcoidosis
I had the opportunity this month to help a lady who's vision loss is the result of sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis is a condition that mainly effects the lungs but sometimes the eyes as well. Tiny collections of inflammatory cells grow in the body. There us usually accompanying fatigue, fever, swolen lymph nodes and loss of weight. When sarcoidosis affects the eyes it may blur the vision, cause pain and redness. Light sensitivity is common.
My patient, Linda, has a profound vision loss in her right eye resulting from a bout of sarcoidosis 3 years ago. She wears a contact lens in the left eye and her best vision is 20/40. She is being followed by two ophthalmologists and has to retire from her job due to her vision loss. She came to me asking for help with driving, reading and recognizing other people's face.
I evaluated Linda's vision with several different types of low vision glasses and prescribed a new one-piece E Scoop pair. They improve her vision with the left eye for both distance and reading vision. Unfortunately, the right eye interferes with her vision when she is reading and it is necessary for her to cover it.
When I spoke with her a couple weeks after she received the glasses she told me that they are especially helpful when she is reading. She is able to small print like account numbers on bills much better.
There are many diseases and conditions that can damage vision. What I need to know is how much vision the person has remaining for me to work with. The exact cause of the vision loss is not as important to me as the remaining vision.
If you have suffered a loss of vision I may be able to help. Give me a call at 1 866 321-2030 and I will be happy to discuss your vision with you. by asking a few questions I can tell you if low vision glasses will help. I'd love to speak with you and help you see better.
