Low Vision Optometry Northwest

About Low Vision

What Is Low Vision?

Low vision could be defined as best corrected vision which is insufficient to do what you want to do.

There are two parts to the definition:

The amount of vision- in the better eye, with best glasses.
The task- what it is that the person wants to do but cannot. For example, reading, writing, driving, playing cards, and taking medication. There are many tasks which patients with low vision want to do but cannot. All are addressed in the low vision evaluation.

For a person to benefit from Low Vision Care, there must be a degree of usable vision, and a goal to do a visual task.

Most Low Vision patients have reduced vision from macular degeneration, diabetes, glaucoma, inoperable cataracts, and genetic defects.

Questioning of the patient takes longer, and is far more specific in the Low Vision Evaluation. The Low Vision specialist must determine the level of visual functioning of the patient, and create a 'wish list' of the tasks that the patient would like help with.

Usually, the list includes:

driving
reading
writing
seeing prices, labels, dials, and menus.

Some would like to return to work and need help in seeing the computer screen, or other occupation-related tasks.

Some have hobbies such as playing piano, knitting, bingo, or oil painting!

The Low Vision specialist prescribes optical and non-optical devices, including magnifying eyeglasses, telescopes, hand and stand magnifiers, electronic visual aids, glare control and enhancing filters, and contact lenses, to improve everyday living. Training in the use of such devices is critical to the successful use of remaining vision.

Low Vision Evaluation

A Low Vision evaluation is for anyone who, even with regular eyeglasses, cannot see well enough to do what they want to do.

The Low Vision Evaluation is completely different from a normal, comprehensive eye examination:

The amount of remaining vision must be carefully determined using specialized charts which are closer to the patient, and have more gradations than the standard projected chart. The patient is instructed to use peripheral vision during testing, since central vision is often damaged.
Then the amount of magnification needed to do the desired tasks must be determined for far tasks like driving, near tasks, like reading, and intermediate tasks like playing bridge.
There are various magnification devices, called low vision aids, which can be utilized to help the patient perform tasks. The best form for each person and each task must be determined. For example, for seeing prices a hand magnifier usually works best, except for patients with a hand tremor.
Other factors like lighting, glare, contrast, mobility and more must be looked at by the Low Vision Doctor to come up with the best combination of "ingredients" to allow the patient to function.

Most of our patients have diminished vision, from one or more of the following conditions:

Macular Degeneration
Diabetes
Glaucoma
Inoperable Cataracts
Trauma
Stroke

Low Vision Devices

We prescribe optical and non-optical low vision devices, including:

Magnifying
Eyeglasses Telescopes
Hand and Stand Magnifiers
Glare Control Devices
Electronic Visual Aids
Contact Lenses and more!

We also provide training in how to use the devices, as well as techniques to help utilize remaining vision.