Low Vision Rehabilitation Advice
To further ensure your success, you must also be trained to use your eyeglasses and low vision aids correctly.
Dear Friend,
If you or a loved one is experiencing vision loss, you are not alone.
When ordinary eyeglasses, contact lenses or intraocular implants cannot provide sharp vision, an individual is said to have low vision. Macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa, along with many other eye diseases, are causes of visual impairment or low vision. Most people with a visual impairment have useful remaining vision and will be able to read, perform their daily activities, continue their hobbies and maintain employment when they have the correct low vision aids and low vision eyeglasses. To further ensure your success, you must also be trained to use your eyeglasses and low vision aids correctly.
All optical low vision aids should be prescribed by an eye doctor. When faced with visual impairment, seek out the care of an optometrist or ophthalmologist who specializes in low vision rehabilitation. 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. To find low vision specialist in your area, please see the ‘Low Vision Resources by State’ section of this website or call LowVision.com at 800.826.4200
When faced with visual impairment:
- Learn about the functional and long term implications of your eye disease.
- Contact the appropriate professional services to receive counseling or the prescription of low vision glasses and devices.
- Receive training to use your glasses and low vision aids correctly. Your eye doctor may have you work with an Occupational Therapist or Vision Rehabilitation Specialist to receive training.
- Use the daily living aids and electronic magnification products presented on this website.
- Learn about, and utilize, the many low vision services in your community.
With the correct low vision aids, glasses and rehabilitation services you can learn to cope with your vision loss and prevent your disability from becoming a handicap.
Sincerely,
Lynne Noon, OD, FAAO
Diplomate in Low Vision Rehabilitation
President, LowVision.com
