All too often patients with advanced eye disease are told “nothing else can be done.”  Fortunately that statement is not correct.  With a low-vision evaluation and appropriate training and devices, patients can often learn to read newspaper-sized print and perform other tasks, even with serious eye disease.

“Working with low-vision patients is one of the most rewarding things I do,” says Dr. Connie Copeland of Isthmus Eye Care’s East Madison office.  “Many times patients who are legally blind can read again, with a positive attitude and the right visual device.”

How does this work?  Eye disease usually leaves areas of partial vision. With coaching and certain devices, known as low-vision aids, a patient can learn to use this remaining vision to see.  Reading small print like prescription bottles, filling insulin syringes, balancing the checkbook, paying bills and writing letters all can become possible.

There is a virtual sea of magnifiers available, so a low-vision evaluation is essential to find the best device for each task.  A low-vision evaluation is different from the usual eye health exam carried out by your optometrist or ophthalmologist.  During a low-vision evaluation, Dr. Copeland spends an hour to an hour and a half working with you or your loved one to determine visual needs and the best ways to meet them.

For example, finding the best glasses prescription is important, although it will not fix the disease.  For patients with low-sight, this is best accomplished with a manual procedure. Then Dr. Copeland will explore low vision aids.  These devices can be amazingly simple, like high powered reading glasses, but some are more sophisticated, such as a closed-circuit television camera and monitor to magnify reading material or objects.  Simple changes like using large print playing cards can improve the patient’s quality of life.

Many different diseases can cause different types of vision-loss.  If you or a family member has suffered damage from macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa or other causes, consider a low-vision evaluation.

Contact us for an appointment.  We will be happy to help you!