In the United States, approximately 12 million people over the age of 40 have vision impairment. In the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area there are an estimated 680 thousand people with low vision.
A Low vision optometrist is a specialist that works in conjunction with a retinal specialist or Ophthalmologist to help people with vision loss of any kind by helping them achieve the most with their remaining vision. The low vision optometrist will identify the patient's visual goals, then work with the patient and their loved ones to find solutions to enable the best possible vision and accomplishment of those visual goals. .
Who Needs to See a Low Vision Optometrist?
- Anyone for whom their current glasses or contact lenses are not sufficient for them to function visually the way they would like
- Anyone who struggles with reading after vision loss and who may just want to more easily be able able to read the newspaper, a book, or their computer
- Anyone who may want to drive, even though they may not have the vision standards for driving. With the correct guidance and devices they may still be allowed to drive with certain restrictions.
- Having difficulty seeing faces of their loved ones
- Anyone that has trouble moving around without bumping things or falling
- Anyone whose vision is causing difficulties with their daily functioning
What are the Causes of Low Vision?
There are many types of eye disease and medical conditions that cause this condition. They include the following:
How can a Low Vision Optometrist Help You?
The low vision optometrist can assist a patient in obtaining the right guidance, understanding, and resources or other measures they need in order to achieve their visual goals. Low vision optometrists definitely work towards task-oriented goals. Specialized glasses, handheld magnification, tinted lenses, prisms, and high tech devices can provide better vision for many patients. A low vision optometrist not only helps find the best devices to improve vision but also guides the patient and shares resources to enable the most productive life after vision loss.
Some of the devices that a low vision optometrist may recommend include:
- Prismatic glasses: Sometimes also known as high-powered reading glasses.
- Microscopic glasses: Suitable for reading or working up close.
- Bioptic telescopes: These are similar to spectacles, and they improve the ability to see far away. Some states allow people to drive with them.
- Magnifiers: These range from handheld models to those with fixed stands that are more powerful.
- CCTV: A magnifying device that projects images onto a monitor for enhanced magnification.
