Low Vision Patients Can Continue to Enjoy Their Music

Low vision patients often tell me that they have had to give up playing instruments or singing because they cannot read the music. Some have used a copier to enlarge the music, but that is cumbersome and does not always help.

I have often been able to help people read the music by using low vision glasses. There are several ways to do that, depending on how far they are from the music, if it is at eye level or below and the nature of their vision problem. That is all important information to bring to the low vision evaluation.

Here are some examples of actual patients and how they were helped to read their music and keep playing or singing.

1. Patient D.C., low vision caused by optic neuropathy: I prescribed wide angle telescopic glasses that allow her to watch television and other distance activities. When D.C. sings in the church choir she attaches a lens cap over the telescope. The cap allows her to hold her music below eye level and read it well. She is able to look at the choir director by looking through the top of the glasses. She says "It allows me to sing in the choir and hold my music lower so I can see the director and my voice is not smothered by the book being held so close in front of my face."

2. Patient T.O., low vision caused by macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Has had corneal transplants in both eyes. T.O. is a serious musician. He plays trombone in 2 bands and was having problems reading the music. I prescribed a telemicroscope. Small telescopes in the lower part of the eyeglass lenses, in the bifocal position, that focus at the distance of his music stand. T.O. measured the distance from his eyes to the music so I could calculate the proper lens power.

3. Patient M.P., had given up playing the piano due to a vision loss caused by Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. I prescribed bioptic telescopic glasses that allow her to drive and watch sports events. When M.P. wants to play the piano she has a small lens that she fits over the telescope allowing her to focus on the music.

4. Patient T.C., has low vision caused by diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. T.C. sings and plays the piano. She was asking for help in seeing her music. I prescribed wide angle telemicroscopic glasses. T.C. reports that "she can see the music perfectly at 19 inches". She is also able to thread a needle and read books with them.

There are many ways to help patients suffering from low vision keep enjoying their music as well as hobbies and other activities that are important to them. Be sure to mention these activities when you call for the free telephone consultation.