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, April 3, 2009

An Interesting Patient With Diabetic Retinopathy

This week a patient with a vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy came to me for help. She had completely lost the vision of one eye and the vision in the other was damaged also. She was having problems with both her distance and near vision. There were several very different tasks that she wanted help with. The solutions to these problems illustrate some of the many ways that low vision patients can be helped.

Her vision goals and the solutions that I recommended to her are listed below:

1. She has trouble reading signs when driving. I prescribed a bioptic telescopic lens for her better eye which resulted in her reading 20/25 letters. When we took the testing lens outdoors she was able to read distant signs much better.

2. She has trouble using her computer. It is blurred and hazy. I prescribed a convex lens cap for the bioptic lens to make the driving telescope focus at the computer screen. An amber tint in that lens improved contrast on the screen making it much easier for her to see.

3. She wanted to be able to read, use her checkbook, etc and previous strong reading glasses focused too close to her face. She wanted to hold her books at a more normal distance. I prescribed a telemicroscope that focused at 16 inches from her face allowing her to hold her book in her lap and read easily.

4. She wanted to be able to read her insulin pump and glucose meter. Both of them had small screens with black letters and numbers on a gray background. Not very much contrast and very difficult for her to read. I prescribed a hand magnifier with an LED light and she had no trouble reading those small screens.

There are many ways that people with low vision can be helped to see better. Often they have several different requirements like this lady had. A low vision doctor with a thorough knowledge of the various devices available can often make life much easier and more enjoyable for them.

If you have low vision and some specific tasks that you'd like help with give me a call. I'll talk it over with you and tell you if I will be able to help. Call me toll free 866 321-2030 for a free phone consultation.
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