What Is Low Vision
What is low vision care?
Low vision care,
also known as vision rehabilitation, is
a service provided by an eyecare or
vision rehabilitation professional that
helps maximize the remaining vision of
an individual who has a vision
impairment. Low vision care typically
involves an evaluation by a professional
to determine the most appropriate low
vision aids based upon the individual’s
level of vision and their goals.
Rehabilitation training and as well as
other appropriate techniques are also
considered.
How can low vision care help a visually impaired person?
Low vision care
can help make the most of the remaining
vision that a person has in order to
gain back as much independence as
possible with the goal to increase their
quality of life. With appropriate low
vision devices and training in their
use, many people with a vision
impairment can continue to read, watch
television, manage their finances,
maintain their homes, shop, travel, and
socialize.
What kind of virtual impairments can low vision aids help?
The major eye
diseases and conditions for which low
vision devices are used are age-related
macular degeneration, diabetic
retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts,
retinitis pigmentosa, albinism,
Stargardt’s disease and retinopathy of
prematurity, myopic degeneration, among
many others.
What low vision device is best for macular degeneration Diabetic retinopathy Cataracts?
Unfortunately,
there is no one device that is ideal for
any particular eye disease or condition.
The appropriate device(s) will depend on
the individual’s level of vision and
their goals. This is why an evaluation
by a low vision specialist is so
valuable to determine the low vision
aids that will work best for the
individual’s specific needs.
Why are there so many different types of low vision devices?
Low vision
devices vary for the same reason a
carpenter carries so many different
tools– each is good for a different
task. Depending on the job, a carpenter
may use a hammer, a saw, or a chisel.
Likewise, a visually impaired patient
may use a magnifier to read a medicine
bottle or package label, a telescope to
see signs, watch television, and
recognize people, and a video magnifier
to read a book. Each low vision aid has
its own ideal purpose, and many people
benefit from using different devices for
different activities. Low vision aids
can be divided into several
categories—optical aids, non-optical
aids, electronic aids, and mobility
aids.
How do low vision devices help those with vision impairments?
Low vision
devices are usually designed to make an
image larger– the equivalent of being
able to read the large print of a
newspaper headline but not the small
print of the article. Digital versions
can provide a range of magnification
powers and can also increase contrast.
Individuals with tunnel vision may
benefit from image minifiers—similar to
peephole door viewers that allow the
user to see more at one time.
Individuals with side-vision loss
(hemianopsia) may benefit from specially
prescribed prism eyeglasses.
How can I purchase a low vision device?
Some types of low
vision products are available directly
from manufacturers or their
distributors. Other products are
available only through eye care or
vision rehabilitation professionals (low
vision specialists). At Tej Eye Center,
we have experts who can determine and
prescribe the most appropriate device(s)
for the individual and also train the
patients. Success with low vision aids
is a combination of using the proper
device and the training involved in
using it effectively.
