Low Vision Services
The Benefit to You
You can make the most of your remaining vision so that you can live as independently as possible, and have a productive and happy life.
Adjustment to any vision loss is difficult. It takes self-acceptance, determination, support of family and friends, and learning new techniques to fully utilize any remaining vision. The goal of the Low Vision Services is to enhance their ability to use their remaining vision so they can be independent and better able to meet the demands of everyday living.
What is Low Vision
Low vision is impaired vision that cannot be fully restored by conventional glasses, contact lenses, medical treatment, or surgery.
Low vision is not total blindness
People with low vision may still have some potentially useful vision.
Over 4 million Americans have low vision
68 % are over the age of 65
06 % age 65 to 74
12 % age 75 to 84
21 % over age 85
Learn To Use New Devices
Most people with low vision can become more visually independent if they make a commitment to learn how to use low vision aids and devices, as well as learn new methods to perform everyday tasks.
What are the major causes of low vision?
Low vision can be due to heredity, an injury, disease, or aging. Some of the most common causes of low vision are macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, optic atrophy, retinitis pigmentosa, retinal detachment, and stroke. Regardless of the cause of vision loss, we offer patients options that will enable them to use their vision to its fullest potential.
How is the low vision patient helped?
We begin our low vision examination by asking questions
about the history of your vision loss, what difficulties you are having performing tasks such as reading, writing, personal hygiene, cooking, and watching television.
We will look for activities you have discontinued or have difficulty performing due to the vision loss. Throughout the examination we will be looking for ways to help you accomplish the tasks and activities that you desire.
Low Vision Devices
There are many different devices available for a person with low vision, including magnifiers, telescopes, microscopes (high plus lenses for reading), custom lighting, and a special television to magnify reading material and photographs. Custom designed low vision devices also may be prescribed. Many patients use a combination of devices.