What is Low Vision?

Low Vision is a condition where people are unable to correct their site with traditional glasses, contact lenses, surgery, or medicine.

These visual impairments are due to underlying eye diseases. Some common eye diseases that can cause low vision are macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, retinitis pigmentosa, and some other genetic disorders.

The visually impaired have difficulty with their daily tasks such as writing, reading, watching television, and recognizing faces.

Their mobility can be restricted and they can also be at increased risk of falling.

The visually impaired greatly benefit from the professional services of vision rehabilitation. Each low vision disorder requires a different therapeutic approach.

A low vision optometrist can provide the help needed to the visually impaired. The optometrist will begin with a thorough eye exam and come up with a treatment plan. The plan aims to maximize the remaining vision of an individual; helping them to remain independent while living higher quality and save lives.

There are a variety of low vision devices. Each one is task-specific and requires training. The low vision optometrist often co-manages with other rehabilitation services to provide full support to the individual. Examples of low vision devices for near-tasks are prismatic glasses or aspheric glasses, they are basically magnifiers in a frame enabling the patient to read printed material at close range but hands-free. There are optical magnification devices that are magnifiers to read printed material.

There are also electronic magnifiers such as the Visolux. These are all devices that can be used for near tasks. Examples of distance tasks are; things like a monocular telescope, where individuals can focus at a distance target to see it more clearly. There are also great devices like binoculars that can be worn at sporting events or to watch television. Then there are more sophisticated devices like the eSight, which is a digital magnifier, that are worn and help people focus on distance, intermediate and near views.

There are a plethora of devices for the visually impaired, and there are so many services available to help you lead a more productive and functional life. The low vision professionals here in Mississauga Vision Center and Brampton Vision Centre, are here to help. Schedule an appointment today and let us focus on improving your vision.