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, February 27, 2009

New Macular Degeneration Research

There has been a new study published that links folic acid and vitamin B to possible reduction of macular degeneration. Additional studies are needed to verify these findings. This brief report is from AOA First Look, an online news service of the American Optometric Association.

"Folic acid, B-vitamin combination may help prevent macular degeneration, researchers say.
Following a USA Today story, KLAS-TV Las Vegas (2/25, 12:44 p.m. MT, Francis), a CBS affiliate, reported in a health segment, "Aside from Alzheimer's, probably the cruelest disease of aging is macular degeneration," a condition that "slowly eliminates central vision. ... Eventually, the lost area almost fills the field of vision, leaving only peripheral images." Now, "researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital" have "found that a combination of folic acid and vitamins B-6 and B-12 lowered the chances of age-related macular degeneration by 35 to 40 percent" in a multiyear study of "middle-aged women taking the supplements."
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