A Stargardt's patient told me "I Never Thought That Anything Would Help Me See Better"

A nice 30 year old lady came to see me in my Harrisonburg office.  She had suffered from Stargardt's Disease since age 9.  Her optometrist referred her hoping that I'd be able to help.  Her visual acuity was 20/240 in both eyes.  She is legally blind.  Although telescopic and microscopic glasses did not make any improvement I did prescribe a portable electronic magnifier.  She continues to use it and is able to read her checks, recipes, measurements and reading in general.

I notified her later when E Scoop glasses became available.  They have helped several of my patients and she came for a trial.  At the trial she was able to see my eyes from about 10 feet.  She could see details in the houses across the street from the office and was able to see signs 100 feet away better.

When she returned to pick up the E Scoop glasses she said "This is great.  I never thought that anything would help me see better".

If you'd like to speak with me about your vision problem please call me at 1 866 321-2030.  There is no charge for the call or for the telephone consultation.  I will ask you a few questions and tell you if low vision glasses will help you.  I understand low vision and would like to help you.  I look forward to talking with you.

Driving With Stargardt's Disease

A patient with Stargardt's Disease returned to me after using his bioptic telescopic glasses for over 5 years.  Blake White was able to obtain his drivers permit when he got the telescopic glasses.  He has been driving safely with them.  Blake returned for re evaluation as required by the DMV.  Blake and I were both pleased to find that heis still eligible to drive while wearing the special glasses.

Blake told me an interesting story.  He has been seen by another low vision doctor who is a state examiner in West Virginia.  That doctor prescribed a very small telescope, for his right eye only even though Blake's vision is almost equal in both eyes.  Blake has been unable to wear them and prefers the wide angle telescopes that I prescribed.  He misses the left telescope and also the wide view of the pair that I prescribed.  He drives a lot and only uses the wide angle pair.

Years ago when I was a state examiner here in Virginia I realized that the devices available through the state were not always best for the patient.  I gave up serving as a low vision examiner for the State of Virginia years ago.  Since then I am able to prescribe what is most helpful for the patient, not just what the state will pay for.

Here is the point.  If you have had a low vision evaluation and are not happy with the devices prescribed it may be helpful to see another doctor.  Someone with a different perspective. A doctor who is not limited by the state may be able to help you.  I invite you to give me a call.  Let's talk it over.  I will tell you on the phone if I will be able to help you.  Call me toll free at 866 321-2030 For more information on help for low vision go to www.VirginiaLowVision.com #stargardtsdisease#bioptictelescopes

More Information About Low Vision Glasses

If you are interested in what is available to help people with low vision and how I can help please look at my website and Facebook page.  I keep them updated and there is much more information than what you see on this blog.  Click the links below.  If you'd like to speak with me about your low vision please give me a call.  There is no charge for the telephone consultation.  1 866 321-2030  http://virginialowvision.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-David-Armstrong/660124997350141

Free Telephone Consultation with Dr. Armstrong, the video

I have just added a video to my website that describes the free telephone consultation that I offer low vision patients.  The consultation helps me get an idea of the person's remaining vision and their goals.  That information allows me to tell the patient if I will be able to help them.  I only schedule people who I am quite certain that I can help.  I invite you to click the link below and watch the video.  Then give me a call.  1 866 321-2030  I will be happy to discuss your vision challenges with you.  I would love to help you see better.  http://virginialowvision.com/videos.html#consult 

Vision Loss from Sarcoidosis

   I had the opportunity this month to help a lady who's vision loss is the result of sarcoidosis.  Sarcoidosis is a condition that mainly effects the lungs but sometimes the eyes as well.  Tiny collections of inflammatory cells grow in the body.  There us usually accompanying fatigue, fever, swolen lymph nodes and loss of weight.  When sarcoidosis affects the eyes it may blur the vision, cause pain and redness.  Light sensitivity is common.
   My patient, Linda, has a profound vision loss in her right eye resulting from a bout of sarcoidosis 3 years ago.  She wears a contact lens in the left eye and her best vision is 20/40.  She is being followed by two ophthalmologists and has to retire from her job due to her vision loss.  She came to me asking for help with driving, reading and recognizing other people's face.
I evaluated Linda's vision with several different types of low vision glasses and prescribed a new one-piece E Scoop pair.  They improve her vision with the left eye for both distance and reading vision.      Unfortunately, the right eye interferes with her vision when she is reading and it is necessary for her to cover it.
   When I spoke with her a couple weeks after she received the glasses she told me that they are especially helpful when she is reading.  She is able to small print like account numbers on bills much better.
   There are many diseases and conditions that can damage vision.  What I need to know is how much vision the person has remaining for me to work with.  The exact cause of the vision loss is not as important to me as the remaining vision.
   If you have suffered a loss of vision I may be able to help.  Give me a call at 1 866 321-2030 and I will be happy to discuss your vision with you.  by asking a few questions I can tell you if low vision glasses will help.  I'd love to speak with you and help you see better.

Bioptic Driving Video

   All of my patients have reduced vision.  When I ask what activities they most want me to help with the top two are reading and driving.  Because I screen patients by phone before scheduling them I am usually able to help them achieve their goals.

   Most states allow people with low vision to drive while wearing bioptic telescopic glasses.  The states issue a special license to these people.  I thought that it would be interesting for people to see how someone drives with bioptics and to actually have a chance to look through them.  So I have posted a selfie video on my website.  The video shows me driving while wearing bioptic glasses.  As I drive along I explain them and discuss the requirements for obtaining a permit in Virginia.  Finally I park and give the viewer an opportunity to look through the glasses and see what I am seeing.
   If you'd like to learn about bioptic driving take a look at the video.  I hope you find it interesting.  Just click on this link to get to the video.  www.VirginiaLowVision.com #biopticdriving #bioptictelescopes

iPhone Helps for the Visually Impaired

Yesterday a man who I've known since he was a child came in to have a small repair made to his telescopic glasses.  TJ is now 53 years old and his vision has been worsening gradually over the years.  While he was here he gave me an amazing demonstration of how a smart phone can help someone with a severe vision loss.
We were talking about guitar music and he mentioned a couple classical guitar artists who he enjoys.  I was in one room and he in another and I heard him talking to his phone.  He was making requests of "Siri" that I was not really paying attention to.  In a couple minutes he came in holding the phone and he asked if I'd like to hear some music by Doc Watson.  He immediately started the music playing.  He wanted me to hear some other artists and by making requests of Siri and Pandora we were able to enjoy a couple others of his favorites.
He told me that he had asked Siri for directions to my office.  TJ was not the driver. He and Siri were navigating. 
TJ showed me how he could ask Siri for a particular type of music from Pandora.  When a list of selections came up on the screen he touched each one and the iPhone spoke the name of the musician and the song.  Pretty amazing.
He demonstrated how the phone is able to help him find helpful information.  He asked Siri to find a recipe for deviled eggs.  Sure enough, it popped right up.
TJ has spent a lot of time mastering the many different ways that the iPhone can help him and it is a tremendous help.  What a blessing this fantastic technology is to a person with a visual impairment.

What is Stargardt’s Disease?

  Stargardt’s Disease, a type of macular degeneration, effects over 25,000 Americans, occurring in about one in 10,000 children. Because it begins in children and young adults it is also known as Juvenile Onset Macular Degeneration. Like the more common Age Related Macular Degeneration, Stargardt’s damages the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. As the central vision gets worse, reading, driving and other tasks requiring sharp vision become more difficult. Eventually Stargardt’s victims are unable to perform these tasks. Although the peripheral vision is unharmed, that is small comfort for the person who has lost the best, sharpest part of their vision.  Children of a parent with Stargardt’s Disease have a 25-50% chance of developing the disease themselves.
  There is no cure or treatment for Stargardt’s Disease. Persons with Stargardt’s are advised to protect their eyes from sunlight by using good sunglasses which filter out ultraviolet light. Genetic counseling is also recommended.
  My experience has been that persons with Stargardt's Disease do very well with low vision glasses. They are often able to return to driving and other important activities. Anyone suffering a vision loss from Stargardt’s should consult a low vision optometrist for an evaluation.
  You can call me toll free to discuss your vision problem.  I will be happy to speak with you.  After asking you questions about your remaining vision and your goals I will tell you if I can help you with low vision glasses.   Call me at 866 321-2020#stargardtsdisease

I Can Read For Hours

   I had a call today from a low vision patient, Joseph.  He has lost vision from macular degeneration and was referred to me by his ophthalmologist.  What Joseph really wanted to do was read the New York Times.  He hoped that I could help him with that.
   Joseph's vision with his glasses was 20/60 on the day of his low vision evaluation.  He was not doing badly for distance vision.  It was the reading that bothered him.  The thorough low vision evaluation revealed that his near vision could be improved nicely with telemicroscopic glasses.  The ones that I prescribed magnified almost 2 times and focused at 10 inches from his face.  He could easily read the Times.
   Today, Joseph called to tell me how well he is doing and how much he likes the glasses.  "I can read for hours with them" he told me.  "I love them".

Telemicroscopic glasses with iPad

   One other thing that has helped Joseph's reading is that he has good light.  He took my advice and bought an Ott Lite.  The Ott Lite gives him plenty of soft, no glare, daylight right on his paper.  I recommend an Ott Lite for anyone who has vision loss.  They really help.
   I am pleased that Joseph has been able to get back to reading the Times.  It is very satisfying to be able to help people return to activities that they enjoy but had been unable to do. #maculardegeneration #microscopicglasses

Sight Saving Tips

 A recent article in Optometry Times by Colleen E. McCarthy listed several steps that people should take to help preserve their sight.  Titled "Help elderly maintain independence with 7 sight saving tips"  I share those tips with you. I have summarized the tips a bit.
  1. Get a comprehensive eye exam.  Yearly dilated eye exams are crucial for detecting changes in vision which may indicate a developing eye disease.
  2. Know signs of vision loss.  Symptoms may be noticed when reading, watching TV, driving, recognizing friends faces.  Sometimes friends or family members notice that we are having difficulty with our vision.
  3. Make eye-healthy food choices.  Choose foods low in fat , rich in fruit, veggies, whole grains.  Foods rich in vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to reduce the risk of macular degeneration and dry eye.
  4. Quit smoking.  Smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke increases the risk for cataracts and macular degeneration.  It worsens dry eye and raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases which can influence eye health.
  5. Maintain normal blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels.  Keeping these levels well controlled can reduce the risk of vision loss from eye disease.
  6. Get regular physical activity.  Thirty minutes of exercise per day is good for general health as well as eye health.
  7. Wear sunglasses.  Sunglasses with 100% UV protection reduces the risk of cataract, growths on the eye and cancer.  #Maculardegeneration #cataract

The Importance of Good Lighting

A few weeks ago I dispensed a pair of Clear Image microscopic glasses to a lady who wanted to be able to read her newspaper.  She has macular degeneration and has been unable to see well enough to read.  The day she received the glasses she read her hometown newspaper easily.  They worked very well in my office.  I explained how the glasses are to be used, stressing that she hold her paper in the correct place and use proper lighting.  I demonstrated both of these things to her and sent her home with written directions (large print).

Several days later she called to tell me that the glasses were not working.  She could not read the paper. What happened?  I asked a family member to take some photos of the lady attempting to read and text them to me.  As I suspected, her paper was very poorly lighted.  I could see how the light was on her shoulder but not on the paper.  I called and discussed what I'd learned from the photos and explained to the lady and her family just how to light the reading material.  Proper lighting makes all the difference.  That solved the problem for her.  She is able to read the paper again.

This lady has macular degeneration but I think there is a lesson here for all people with low vision. 

 Good lighting is important. The light must be close and fully illuminate the task. Sometimes that is all that a person needs.  No special low vision glasses. Just proper lighting.

The photo shows me reading under an Ott Lite.  I think that they are the best.  Ott Lite is natural daylight color, soft yet bright enough to do the job.  I recommend them to all my low vision patients.  #Stargardtsdisease #Ottlite

Age-related macular degeneration occurs much earlier than previously assumed

The summary below is from a large study done in Germany.  This new information adds to previous studies that show a strong link to heredity and smoking.  There are some things that can be done to reduce the chance of getting ARMD. 

1. If you smoke, quit.

2. If you have a parent or sibling with ARMD consider taking one of the supplements recommended for people with macular degeneration.  There are many.  I recommend "Macular Shield AREDS 2 plus Complete Multivitamin" , a product of Doctors Advantage.

3.  Have a complete, dilated eye examination yearly.

July 21, 2014

Source:

Universität Mainz

Summary:

Even individuals under the age of 50 years can suffer early forms of age-related m

Date:

acular degeneration, researchers say. With the help of their findings, the researchers were also able to gain insights into how frequently the various forms of age-related macular degeneration occur. On average, about 12 percent of the examined 35- to 74-year-olds had early stage AMD, but only 0.2 percent of the study participants exhibited symptoms of late stage AMD, which is often associated with severe visual impairment. #maculardegeneration