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Q.
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What is Low Vision?
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A.
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People whose vision cannot be improved by medical or surgical treatment.
Low vision is defined as an impairment of sight which cannot be adequately corrected with pharmaceutical or surgical interventions, conventional prescription eyewear, or contact lenses. The patient usually presents with a loss of visual field, loss of light sensitivity, distortion, loss of color vision, or loss of contrast. Low vision varies with each individual, and occurs as a result of genetic birth defects, injury, aging, or complication from disease.
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Q.
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Who Can Be Helped By Low Vision Rehabilitation?
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A.
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People who can no longer read comfortably or carry out routine tasks of daily living.
Low vision specialists enable people to make the most of their remaining vision through the use of specially designed optical systems, counseling, training, and social services. Using a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation, the make every effort to help patients regain greater independence.
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Q.
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What causes Low Vision Impairment?
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A.
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Low Vision Impairment is caused by a variety of diseases or conditions. Macular degeneration heads the list, accounting for about 65% to 75% of patients requesting vision rehabilitation. Diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, hereditary retinal degenerations or diseases such as Retinitis Pigmentosa, Albinism, Optic Atrophy, Lebers Optic Neuropathy, Bests Disease and other conditions such as stroke or brain tumors make up the rest of the list.
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Q.
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What is a Low Vision Specialist?
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A.
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A Low Vision Rehabilitation Specialist is an optometrist or ophthalmologist who has a special interest in and who has been trained in Low Vision Rehabilitation. There are other professionals who specialize in specific aspects of low vision rehabilitation such as occupational therapists, orientation and mobility instructors, educators who specialize in teaching both children and adults with poor vision, social workers, and researchers in this challenging field.
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Q.
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What happens in Low Vision Rehabilitation?
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A.
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A Low Vision evaluation begins with a comprehensive history. This includes a medical, drug, social, work, and vision history. A meticulous refraction is then done to determine the patient's best possible visual acuity. Additional tests are done to determine what is needed to enable the patient to read. This correction may range from a simple pair of reading glasses to a magnifier or a complex system such as a telemicroscope or CCTV (closed-circuit TV).
Other areas of the patient's lifestyle are addressed such as work needs, hobbies, social needs, recreational needs, financial, and personal needs. For example, complex systems can be designed for someone who works on a computer and who needs large print or voice-activated programs. Every effort is made to enable the individual to continue working at his/her present job, or, if necessary, retraining individuals in new areas of employment.
Low Vision Rehabilitation is an approach to making the best possible use of the healthy vision remaining in the eye. The Low Vision Specialist has at her/his disposal a vast array of devices designed to help the visually impaired see better. These can include magnifiers, microscopic lenses, telescopes, electronic devices such as closed-circuit TV's and, even virtual imagery. Proper lighting, used in the proper manner, bold-lined writing utensils and paper, large-print books and magazines, large-print checks and many other useful devices help with coping with vision loss.
In addition, you may need to work with an occupational therapist to learn to use these devices effectively. A social worker may help you to identify community-based programs that may be helpful to you. Most people who have had expert Low Vision Rehabilitation can learn to read, write, use their computer and generally function at a relatively high level.
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Q.
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Does a Low Vision Specialist take the place of my current optometrist or ophthalmologist?
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A.
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An eye doctor who specializes in low vision rehabilitation does not take the place of your current optometrist or ophthalmologist. They will work in conjunction with your eye doctor to maximize your remaining vision. A low vision specialist focuses on how their patient functions visually in day-to-day life and helps their patients enhance their remaining vision by prescribing special low vision eyeglasses and microscopic and telescopic low vision aids. They will also recommend other optical and non-optical low visions aids, training in the use of these aids and referral to appropriate low vision services.
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Q.
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What are a Few of the Signs of Low Vision?
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- Difficulty distinguishing colors
- Difficulty reading
- Difficulty distinguishing objects
- Difficulty recognizing faces
- Difficulty seeing objects
- Difficulty seeing signs and posts
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Q.
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Are there vitamin supplements that can restore my vision loss due to macular degeneration?
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A.
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Macular Degeneration does not respond to all vitamins. The Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) run by the National Eye Institute found that the following ingredients were found to slow the progression of macular degeneration in those patients with intermediate or advanced disease. It is believed that the high levels of anti-oxidants and Zinc promote the continued health of the retina and tissues surrounding the retina.
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Vitamin
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Amount Per Serving
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% Daily Value
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Vitamin C
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500 mg
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555%
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Vitamin A (Beta-Carotene)
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15 mg
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150%
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Vitamin E
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400 IU
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1000%
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Zinc (Zinc Oxide)
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80 mg
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533%
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Copper (Cupric Oxide)
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2 mg
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100%
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Be wary of any treatment that promises to restore vision, or cure or prevent macular degeneration. There are so many so-called "miracle cures" advertised (often in magazines or on the Internet) that have not been adequately tested for safety or efficiency. These treatments may be expensive and are generally not covered by insurance. If you are considering trying a new or untested treatment or product, make sure you talk to your Eye MD to ensure they are safe and won't interfere with the timely and effective treatment of any eye problems.
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Q.
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Can Macular Degeneration be Prevented?
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Although there is no hard evidence as to how to prevent macular degeneration, these steps may help:
- Regular eye exams by your eye care professional. Ophthalmologists and optometrists are specially trained to detect many vision-threatening conditions even before you develop symptoms. The earlier the problems are detected, the better chance of preventing vision loss.
- Protection from UV-A and UV-B rays. Some studies have suggested that prolonged or frequent exposure to UV-A and UV-B rays may be a factor in macular degeneration and other eye conditions, so always wear your sunglasses that block 99 to 100% of UV rays when outdoors.
- Proper nutrition. Although there is no concrete evidence that nutrition plays a role in macular degeneration, a healthy diet can't hurt and can prevent many other health problems. Some ophthalmologists and optometrists may recommend vitamins or minerals to supplement your diet.
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Q.
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What is the difference between Partially Sighted and Visually Impaired?
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Partially sighted - best-corrected visual acuity of 20/70 or less in the good eye. Even when wearing regular corrective lenses, partially sighted people cannot read standard newsprint, or see expressions on a person's face.
·Legally blind - best-corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less, or a visual field of no more than 20 degrees, is defined as legally blind.
·Functional blindness – the absence of any usable vision. Only about 1 in 10 visually impaired people are functionally blind. Most have some usable vision.
·Low vision or visually impaired – terms used to describe people with significant vision loss that cannot be corrected medically or surgically. These vision problems impact work, school, recreation and other activities of daily living. People who are partially sighted and/or legally blind are often described using these terms.
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Q.
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Can you tell me the Definitions of the Rehabilitation Terms used by a Low Vision Specialist?
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- Functional vision exam - an exam by a low vision specialist that determines the extent of a person’s remaining sight. Presently, fewer than 5% of all eye doctors specialize in low vision.
- Vision rehabilitation – tools and training to help people with significant vision loss maintain their independence. The vision loss is permanent but the ability to perform daily living tasks with impaired sight is learned or relearned in vision rehabilitation.
- Adaptive or assistive technology – terms used for technology that uses magnification, contrast, synthesized speech, and/or lighting to maximize a person’s remaining sight.
- Optical low vision aids - prescribed optical devices such as bioptic glasses, often specially created by the doctor to help reach a person’s visual goals, or electronic devices, such as the closed circuit television (CCTV), scanners and computer software.
- Non-optical low vision aids - items designed to promote independent living, such as talking calculators, talking alarm clocks and watches, signature or check writing guides, large print checks and calendars.
- Independent living skills - training in adaptive techniques for cooking, grooming, labeling and money management can increase independence. Instruction takes place in the home or in a structured classroom setting.
- Orientation and mobility training – training in safe and independent travel skills around your home, your neighborhood or your office.
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Q.
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What is the Difference Between a Low Vision Specialist, Ophthalmologist, Optometrist, and Optician?
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- Low Vision Specialist – A low vision specialist refers to an ophthalmologist or optometrist who has completed additional training and certification in the area of low vision.
- Ophthalmologist – a medical doctor trained in vision and eye diseases who is licensed to perform surgery on the eyeball. Individuals with serious vision problems need to see their ophthalmologist regularly to insure their condition does not become more severe.
- Optometrist - trained in vision and eye diseases and can prescribe corrective lenses and diagnose eye diseases, but do not perform surgery.
- Optician - a technician who makes and fits corrective lenses.
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