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.
