Linda Schaaf suffers from low vision caused by myopic degeneration. She has a high amount of nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism. Even with her glasses, the Illinois college professor, sees only 20/120 with her better eye. The other is much worse.
Professor Schaaf came to me asking for help correcting student assignments, reading the newspaper and books, using her computer and recognizing faces. I evaluated her vision using microscopic lenses, telescopic lenses and telemicroscopic lenses. The best solution proved to be a pair of bioptic telescopic glasses for distance and telemicroscopic glasses for reading and computer use.
Professor Schaaf has found many benefits from her low vision glasses. When I talked with her a month after she received them she told me "I am thrilled to death. I can see my students faces now. People on TV have faces. I can sit in the back of the church and see the priest's face. I can see the traffic lights better and see the colors. It takes me less time to correct my student's papers. I am able to use the computer without enlarging the font. Dr. Armstrong, you have washed the world. It is clean and bright."
A low vision evaluation is very different from the usual eye examination. Different testing methods are used, different types of lenses are considered and the goals of the patient must always be considered.
Many people, like Professor Schaaf, can benefit from low vision glasses. If you have low vision, regardless of the cause, and even if you have been told by your doctor that nothing can be done, there may be help available for you. Give me a call and I'll discuss your situation with you. I'll tell you if I think that I can help you and we can schedule an appointment for you. If I don't think that I can help I will be honest with you. I do not make appointments for those who I do not feel that I'll be able to help. Call me at 1 866 321-2030. There is no charge for the call or the telephone consultation.
