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, January 12, 2015

Organ Donors

A patient who I saw last week reminded me of the importance of becoming an organ donor.  This nice lady has had 4 corneal transplants on her left eye.  The new corneas lasted for a while and then were rejected by her body.  Four different people, donating their corneas at their death, have kept the lady seeing.  The new corneas were required to improve her vision which had been damaged by scaring of her own cornea.  She still has scaring in her right cornea.
What a wonderful opportunity we have to give our corneas or other organs to another person when we die.  The thing is that we must make our wishes known in advance.  That is very easy to do.  In Virginia, when we renew our driver's license we can check the box indicating that we'd like to give the gift of sight or of life itself to another person by donating our organs.
I have checked that box.  I have the words "Organ Donor" with the little red heart on my driver's license.  I encourage you to do the same.
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