Low vision aids--They help

   I have talked to a few people with low vision and one thing has disturbed me. Quite a few said do not waste your money on special glasses -you'll spend a lot and they don't work.

  Well it is fair to say it will cost a lot and many reg insurance plans pay zip-so to this I agree.
  As far as doing no good- I totally dissagree.  It is true that in my case and probibly many others that you can't see as well as before or as much, but if you find the right combination it can help a lot.
I use a large monitor and large fonts so I don't even wear glasses many times on computer and when i need to see a bit clearer I use  3 X reading glasss.  Many probibly do not like the feel and the fact that everything outside your reading distance is very blurry--but it helps you read .  I can even do some craft work with 3X readers and an other 3X  flip down lens . The 6X is very limited but by wearing 3X with the 3X flip down I can flip up the second 3X when not needed and of course  simply remove the reg 3X readers. Long and complicated but that is what works for me.  Maybe many do not take the time to
find the right compromise .  Before anyone goes into this they must realize the limitations and I was told what to expect up front and had no delusions of a set of magic glasses that would put me back to 100 % normal --  Mag lenses cut down on the effective area of sight and have a specific sweet spot-- once you learn the sweet spot and get the best combination it may not be perfect but servicable .   I have an issue with a Sceleral Buckle compromising my eye muscle so am not sure if its the same for everyone but I cannot work very long with any strenght Mag lenses.
I can see where some may be dissapointed and have a higher expectation--but I would not call any of the Aids useless or a waste of time .

[AnnaE]

I am so grateful for this information. Can you tell me to start looking?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Our office is a big believer in Low Visual Aids. In Kansas City we have a store that is run by the family of a person with low vision that provides excellent services.

We also use a catalog which we give to our low vision patients. They have an extensive variety of low vision aids  http:// www. independentliving.com/

JCH III MD

[frwbeach]

  John C has given you a reference and another is Maxi Aid I believe.  I would suggest
seeing a low vision doctor  unless you have an eye doc with experience.  To be honest
the local low vision center  came up with some helpful solutions-but in my case a semi retired eye specialist with many years dealing with all sorts of conditions and problems
was super for me.  He looked at my eyes  and said now this is gonna take some time
so be patient. Well he spent a long long time going through vision at different  angles and eye positions- different refraction ect ect-- to make a long story short- he did a super job and had a much better solution.   This is not to say that your local low vision staff may not do the same as the retired doc did-- I would try them first or at least ask your doc.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[AnnaE]

The only time I talked to the low vision person at my doctor;s office, she

tried to correct my English (I am an English professor)
told me my sight loss was permanent--my doctor has said nothing
told me sight loss was lik death: speaking professionally death is death, vision loss is vision loss, and they are nothing alike.

I would say this woman lacks many skills; I don't think I care if she might know about low vision, and I believe she doesn't.

Thanks for the great idea of seeing a doctor.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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