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If you, or someone you know, suffers from a vision impairment, ask your optometrist about low vision rehabilitation. An optometrist who provides low vision rehabiliative services can provide the help and resources needed to gain back the independence and freedom that once seemed lost. People with low vision can be taught a variety of techniques to perform daily activities with what vision remains. There are government and private programs that offer educational and vocational counseling, occupational therapy, rehabilitation training, and more. Experts agree that low vision does not have to diminish the quality of life. As of October 1999 both the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology have called for Medicare coverage of low vision rehabilitation services. Many Medicare carriers now have policies in place that cover some of the vision rehabilitation services; ask your optometrist's office about this type of coverage.
A wide variety of rehabilitation options are available to help people with low vision live and/or work more effectively, efficiently, and safely. Most people can be helped with one or more low vision treatment options. Unfortunately, only about 20-25 percent of those who could benefit from these treatment options have been seen by a low vision optometrist. The more commonly prescribed devices are: Spectacle-mounted magnifiers – A magnifying lens is mounted in spectacles (this type of system is called a microscope) or on a special headband. This allows use of both hands to complete the close-up task, such as reading. Hand-held or spectacle-mounted telescopes – These miniature telescopes are useful for seeing longer distances, such as across the room to watch television, and can also be modified for near (reading) tasks. Hand-held and stand magnifiers – These can serve as supplements to other specialized systems. They are convenient for short-term reading of things such as price tags, labels, and instrument dials. Both types can be equipped with lights. Video magnification – Table-top (closed-circuit television) or head-mounted systems enlarge reading material on a video display. Some systems can be used for distance views tasks. These are portable systems, and those that can be used with a computer or monitor. Image brightness, image size, contrast, and foreground/background color and illumination can be customized.
The optometrist providing low vision rehabilitation will ask for a complete personal and family general health and eye health history. In addition, the optometrist will discuss the functional problems with the patient, including such things as reading, functioning in the kitchen, glare problems, travel vision, the workplace, television viewing, school requirements, and hobbies and interests. Preliminary tests may include assessment of ocular functions such as color vision and contrast sensitivity. Measurements will be taken of the person's visual acuity using special low vision test charts, which include a larger range of letters or numbers to more accurately determine a starting point for determining the level of impairment. Visual fields may also be evaluated. A specialized refraction must be performed and each eye will be thoroughly examined.
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