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, July 11, 2011

Genetics, Lifestyle May Contribute To AMD Progression

The following brief article in The Boston Globe, July 8, 2011 discusses a recent study which looked at the relationship between macular degeneration and genetics.  Cigarette smoking was also strongly connected to the incidence of advance macular degeneration.

We’ve known for years that macular degeneration – the leading cause of blindness in people over 55 – is associated with genetic as well as environmental factors. But how can we tease the two apart? Researchers at Tufts Medical Center found one way to do so: Study twins.

A study published last week in the journal Opthalmology looked at over 200 male pairs of identical twins. In some of the pairs, each twin had age related macular degeneration (AMD), but at different stages, while in other pairs only one twin had the disease. Based on questionnaires filled out by participants, as well as their AMD diagnoses, the study found that the twin with the more advanced stage of AMD tended to be a heavier smoker. And, twins in whom AMD progressed more slowly reported higher intakes of the nutrients betaine and methionine. Foods like fish, grains, and spinach have betaine, while methionine is found in poultry, fish, and dairy products.

So what does this mean for your susceptibility to AMD? “There’s definitely a strong genetic component,” says the study’s lead author, Dr. Johanna M. Seddon. A previous study of identical and fraternal twins done by her research team found that genetics explained between 46 and 71 percent of the severity of the disease, while environmental factors explained between 19 and 37 percent. But that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing you can do about it.

“One of the modes of management of this disease is adherence to healthy diet,” said Seddon, a professor of ophthalmology at Tufts University School of Medicine and an ophthalmologist at Tufts Medical Center. “This study underscores the fact that, here you are with twins with the same genes, and there’s no question that these behavioral modifiable factors make a difference.”

Protecting your eyes from the sun is another way to guard against AMD, as we wrote about last week.

Contact Neena Satija at nsatija@globe.com.
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