Legal Blindness?

[carabun]

It seems as if I am slowly going Blind,as the years go by. I am about to turn 51 in a few weeks. Is there a special optomotrist I should see? My left  Pupil looks like an upside down heart. It has always been very hard to see from this eye. I was told I was legally blind in this eye already. I am really starting to get anxious.
       Thanks so much, Cara

[carabun]

I guess I did'nt explain myself very well. I know I am legally blind in my left eye. I am wondering What is the definition of it in medical and legal terms. You also mentioned Low Vision . I have never heard of that . I have very bad night blindness, Could this be the start of low vision? Thanks again, Cara

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Cara, you need to have a very good general ophthalmologist at a minimum to take care of the vision that you do have.  So please remember that.  Now if you are a low vision patient that is nearly legally blind, then I recommend you also see an ophthalmologist or optometrist that specializes in LOW VISION rehabilitation.  They can help you with magnifiers, telescope type glasses and reading machines that will allow you to try to make the most of the little vision you have.  You have so very much still to offer, even though you are visually handicapped.  Erik Weihenmeyer climbed Mt. Everest and he is TOTALLY blind.

MJK MD