| Referral
into low vision care:
Many eye conditions can leave someone with a vision loss. Common eye conditions which cause
this are macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy
and cataracts. The term low vision encompasses vision problems
that can be mild or severe. It has become a general term to
describe many types of vision loss. You do not have to have
a major vision problem to be referred into low vision care.
A referral will be made for low vision care if you doctor
feels that, after prescribing the best eyeglasses possible,
you are left struggling with vision tasks. It is usually at
the point where none of the avenues of medical intervention
will return vision to what it used to be.
Low vision care involves the improvement of daily function
and quality of life through examination, demonstration, education
and development of new skills. The technical term for low
vision is "vision rehabilitation".
About the low vision evaluation:
The following concerns are addressed, as needed, during the
course of your low vision care:
- Improvement of reading vision with strong reading glasses
(above the range of normal reading prescriptions).
- Increased contrast and improved near tasks with the introduction
of lighting enhancement.
- Elimination of the distorting and uncomfortable effects
of glare with sunglasses and special filters.
- Improvement in mobility, travel difficulties and skills
for working around the home with instruction on new techniques.
- Comfort and security with recommendations for outside
resources, agencies, publications and support groups.
The following vision aids are demonstrated and discussed:
- Simple magnification aids including hand and stand magnifiers
for improved reading.
- Telescopic vision aids for improved viewing of favorite
pastimes such as television, movies and sporting events.
In addition, there are telescopic aids for more vital functions
such as viewing signs and identifying buses.
- - Electronic magnification aids and video magnifiers which
make use of the latest technology.
- Non-optical aids such as check writing guides, enlarged
telephone dials and watches. Most important are home health
care aids such as prescription bottle magnifiers, pill dispensers
and enhanced display blood pressure monitors. These are
just a few of the many non-optical aids which are discussed
in low vision care.
- - Computer enlargement software is also discussed. A number
of programs will be introduced which provide enlargement
of print beyond what your computer is presently capable
of.
Our Commitment:
It is always difficult to tell a patient that nothing more
can be done to improve vision through medical procedures or
eyeglasses. Although we cannot personally experience what
it feels like, we try as hard as we can to understand what
someone may be going through.
By referring our patients into low vision care, we are continuing
our commitment to make the world you live in as clear and
comfortable as possible. Low vision care is an extension of
ourselves and the medical help we have already provided. It
is our way of not letting you feel discouraged and showing
you that every small improvement is worthwhile.
Creating a low vision service to meet our standards also
considered your convenience. We do not want our patients to
travel to distant clinics, especially since more than one
visit is often required. We also wanted to have a schedule
which allows for unhurried and extended evaluation time. It
is important that you are as comfortable as possible so your
low vision visits can be a true learning experience. We know
that designing the expanded service under our roof has accomplished
this.
Please call to schedule a low vision evaluation for yourself
or someone you are concerned about. Low vision evaluations
and follow-up care is provided for the greater Philadelphia area from both our offices, located
in Southampton and New Britain. We are confident you will
gain valuable assistance from your visit.
Southampton: 215-355-4428 New Britain: 215-230-4700
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