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, September 12, 2011

Technological Advances Benefit People With Low Vision, USA Today

The following summarizes two interesting articles from USA Today.


USA Today (9/12, Healy) reports, "Low vision is not a direct result of aging," explained Dawn Kissner DeCarlo, OD, MS, FAAO, "chair of the American Optometric Association Vision Rehabilitation section and director of the University of Alabama Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation," but "usually 'results from eye injuries, birth defects, macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, poorly controlled diabetes and other eye and health conditions.'" The article details technological advances that make it possible for people with low vision to live as normal a life as possible. "Given Baby Boomers' higher risk for age-related eye disorders and a dramatic nationwide increase in type 2 diabetes, the National Eye Institute estimates that vision disorders will double in 30 years."

"Bioptics" Help People With Low Vision Drive. In a related story, USA Today (9/12, Healy) reports that "independence and mobility of driving is a real option for some with vision impairments, thanks to 'bioptic driving.'" Bioptics "are small telescopes mounted into ophthalmic corrective lenses above a person's line of sight that improve the sharpness of far vision." According to optometrist Laura Windsor of the Low Vision Centers of Indiana, "those eligible for bioptic driving typically have 'mild to moderate vision loss that is stable,' along with 'pretty near-perfect' peripheral vision."
Posted by at
Labels: ,