Low Vision is a condition in which your eyesight cannot be corrected by regular glasses, contact lenses, surgery, or medicine. People who have vision loss are said to be visually impaired or to have Low Vision. Vision loss is usually caused by an underlying eye disease such as:
- Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Glaucoma and other optic nerve diseases
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Cataracts
- Stroke
Patients with Low Vision typically have difficulty reading, writing, watching television, recognizing people’s faces, or performing other daily living tasks. Fortunately, the visually impaired can be helped with a service called Low Vision Care.
Low Vision Care is professional care provided by an optometrist, optician, or a vision rehabilitation professional who specializes in helping visually impaired patients maximize their remaining vision. This care usually involves an evaluation and the use of solutions called low vision aids that include both magnification devices such as magnifiers and telescopes and non-optical products such as task lighting and contrast filters. Dr. Richard works one-on-one with her low vision patients to make sure they reach their visual goals which may include anything from reading their mail or a newspaper, to knitting, to watching a baseball game.
To learn more about some of the low vision aids we work with, visit www.eschenbach.com.
Other resources for individuals with Low Vision:
American Foundation for the Blind - https://www.afb.org/default.aspx
Macular Degeneration Association - https://macularhope.org
Foundation Fighting Blindness - https://www.blindness.org
Prevent Blindness America - https://www.preventblindness.org
Hemianopia.org - https://www.hemianopia.org/index.htm
Vision is more than 20/20 eyesight. Visual processing involves the eye and the brain. Visual processing problems are very common following brain injury. The flow of information between the eye and brain is often jumbled after a brain injury.
A basic eye examination is often normal because visual processing problems are not eyesight problems. Visual processing problems are not obvious so referral for a vision evaluation is rarely made unless you report eyesight changes or you have an eye injury.
Hidden visual processing problems can cause your rehabilitation to take longer or be less successful if they are not recognized or treated.
Symptoms of Post Trauma Vision Syndrome include:
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Light sensitivity
- Reading problems
- Movement of print on the page
- Poor reading comprehension
- Limited attention or concentration
- Poor spatial judgment
- Impaired depth perception
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Poor visual memory
- Headaches with visual tasks
Hidden visual problems can also affect balance, coordination and cognitive function. You may have poor eye-hand coordination or problems judging stairs. Driving may become difficult and things moving may make you feel ill. You may not notice things as quickly and your reaction time may be slowed. Visual fatigue is common.
Neuro-Optometric Vision Rehabilitation (NORA) Optometrists are here to help you. NORA doctors can diagnose and treat visual processing problems that appear after brain injury. They can work closely with your rehabilitation team such as occupational, physical and speech therapists so your visual problems will not limit your success in recovering from your brain injury.
Neuro-Optometric Vision Rehabilitation Treatment may include:
- Eyeglasses or contact lenses to improve eyesight
- Bifocal eyeglasses for better focus flexibility and reading
- Lenses to expand peripheral awareness
- Specialized filters to eliminate double vision
- Prism lenses to improve spatial orientation
- In-office Neuro-Optometric Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
Remember there is hope and there is help for the hidden vision problems that frequently accompany brain injury. Contact us today at 267-875-3937.
