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


Thursday, April 25, 2013

E Scoop Glasses for Driving

E Scoop eyeglasses are one of the newest devices for patients with low vision.  They were developed in The Netherlands, for macular degeneration patients.  They have been available in the US for just over a year.  The glasses make things viewed slightly larger, improve contrast and allow the wearer to use an area of the retina which is healthier than their diseased macula.  The result is improved vision without telescopic glasses.

A West Virginia lady came to me hoping to get her drivers permit back.  Her better eye, the left, corrected to 20/120 with glasses and there was no usable vision in the right.  That is not good enough to drive in West Virginia or any other state.

Today she picked up the E Scoop glasses and was able to read 20/50 with the left eye.  That meets the state's requirements and I certified her to drive daylight hours wearing the glasses.  If she did not have the E Scoops she would have lost her license or been required to drive with bioptic telescopic glasses.  The E Scoops provide more natural vision, are less expensive and do not require a special license like bioptics.

The E Scoop glasses may be the perfect option for someone whose vision is not severely damaged.  Someone who comes close to passing the vision requirement to drive but can't quite make it.  If you are in that situation give me a call.  I will discuss your vision loss with you and tell you if I can help.  Low vision glasses, including the E Scoops, may be the answer to getting you safely back on the road.

Call me at 866 321-2030 for  free telephone consultation.  I look forward to talking with you and to helping you.
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