low vision aids 

http://www.freedom-eye.com/view_blog.asp?ID=220

· All low vision aids work by presenting the patient with

· A magnified view of object.

· Most are optical systems

• Which act by increasing the angle subtended by the  Object at the eye, thus producing an enlarged retinal  Image.

GOALS OF LOW VISION

Increase functionality

· Make the most of the remaining vision

· Provide link to community resources and support

· services  Education

FUNCTIONAL EFFECTS OF LOW VISION

Loss of central vision (visual acuity)

Loss of peripheral vision (visual field)

Glare and contrast Issues Related to Decreased Acuity

· Difficulty reading

· Problems writing/ completing paperwork

· Inability to recognize distance objects and faces

· Issues Related to Visual Field Loss

· Location of scotoma important!

· Generalized loss of visual field

· Mobility and independent travel

· Reading may require adaptations

Issues Related to Contrast

· Need for additional lighting

· Problems with glare

· Increased adjustment to changes in illumination

· Visual discomfort and fatigue

Mental health and sight loss almost killed me

http://www.freedom-eye.com/view_blog.asp?ID=219

Nick Whyton is 42 years old and living in Fareham, in June 2013 he noticed a problem with his eyesight that changed the caused of his life.

Nick said whilst he was driving his car he was not seeing things through his peripheral vision which deteriorated over time, he was concerned about the sight loss so he went to see an optician who gave him a field of vision test which he failed several times, and the optician referred Nick to his own GP.

Nick was advised not to drive which in turn created another problem as he  was employed as a community carer therefore without being able to drive meant he could no longer work and his employer put him on long term sick leave.

In the meantime Nick was referred to the eye department at the QA Hospital but the appointment took almost a month to get, and Nick was getting more anxious hanging around to see what was wrong with his eyes.

Nick was in such shock to what was happening to him, and had no one to turn to for help in a professional sense, his GP gave no advice nor did the eye department at the hospital and Nick felt alone and isolated not knowing what to do next.

Nick knew the future was not looking good for him and he felt vulnerable as he knew he was no longer able to work and the safety net he had been used to was slowly disappearing  from beneath  him.

Nick said at that time in his life he was a border line alcoholic and this situation was not helping especially feeling so alone and vulnerable drink was his only friend.

Nick admitted to drinking up to 8 cans of beer a day during the week  and one and a half bottles of spirits at the weekends.

Nick felt because the consultants could not diagnose the problem with his sight loss they used his drinking for the reason behind his loss of sight by saying it was a condition called Toxic Amblyopia which is a toxic reaction to the optic nerve resulting in visual loss, various poisonous substances may cause the condition as well as nutritional factor at the worse scenario could lead to complete blindness.

Nick has a very addictive nature and he freely admits he was at this time in his life addicted to drinking, like other people are addicted to smoking or gambling and he was using alcohol as a replacement for food.

Due to the problem with his sight loss and despite being dry for 7 years he could not handle the pressures of day to day life and started to drink again, he was mixing drink with anti depressants and not using his anti depressant correctly, Nick also was overdosing on the anti depressant medication and pain killers which he felt was normal due to the mental state he was in, Nick was in a very dark place, on his own and finding no way out from it.

In October 2013 Nick’s family were getting so concerned about him, they took him to QA Hospital to seek help from the mental health team who advised him to admit himself to Antelope House which is an institution  for people suffering with mental health issues in Southampton, by doing this himself it avoided him being sectioned under the mental act.

With Nick turning to alcohol and mis using his medication and overdosing he was beginning to get out of control, on top of all the abuse he was giving himself Nick also was self harming by cutting up his arms and legs, the reason for the self harming was to get rid of all the pain that was in his head. So his family had no option but to seek help from the professionals which is why Nick ended up in a mental institution in Southampton.

Whilst in Southampton  Nick was put on medication to help stop him drinking, and later he found out the medication he was being prescribed had an effect on his kidneys because he had kidney problems which they were aware of he said the medication he was given should not have been used on me  despite being told of my problems.

Nick spent 3 weeks in Southampton and returned there on two other occasions, he was diagnosed in having adjustment disorder, moderate to severe depression and high levels of anxiety.

Nick had no place he could call his own so, he was staying with family and friends for a while, his mental health had deteriorated once again because he found himself on his own during the day and thoughts were coming back into his head, as well as being in a strange place he found it too much to deal with, and at that point he was still consuming a lot of alcohol,  in December 2013 he was admitted into St James Portsmouth for a while, but soon after being released on the 9th December he refused to go back and stay with family and friends because whilst he was doing this he was not entitled to get supported living for himself, therefore he was classified as being homeless.

Nick went to Fareham council with a letter in his hand from St James Hospital stating  he was homeless and a bed and breakfast was found found for him in Titchfield which he stayed in for two weeks, two days before Christmas Nick was found a room in a shared house in Gosport by a charity who deals with people with mental health problems, but mental health support was not offered it was just to help him find somewhere to live.

Even though Nick had his own secure room he did not feel totally at home due to the other residence arguing and his food being stolen in the kitchen, it was not ideal and he could not cope with it all, but for a short term situation it had to make do,

Nick was still having mental health issues but was getting help through his GP.

Nick applied for disability benefits PiP ( Personal Independent Payment) he completed the forms himself again without any help and eventually got awarded his benefits, but feel that DWP did not understand mental health illness or sight loss as a disability  and thinks that they should be trained to identify how hard life can be with only one of the symptoms let alone both together, he says he believes they would  rather not understand it as they have such a large work flow.

In April 2014 Nick’s life slowly started to improve he was invited to attend a course held by Action for Blind People called Finding Your Feet, which was held over two days, he did not turn up on the first day because he does not handle group meetings very well and thinks when he walks into a room full of strangers  they are all looking at him, he knows they are not,it is just what is in his head.

On the evening of the first day Nick received a phone call urging him to attend the course the following day, Nick said he was proud he managed to attend the course on the second day and it helped having someone there who he knew, he also said he learnt that he was not the only one who has problems and that there are people and organisations out there who can help, rather thinking on a selfish nature that you are the only one with a problem and it is good to know your not alone and the course made me realise that, and it helps improve the lives of other people.

Since attending the Finding Your Feet course Nick has joined a blind Ten Pin Bowling club and has been doing this for nearly two years now, he still suffers anxiety attacks some mornings before attending bowling, but knows when he arrives he enjoys the sport and a laugh with the lads and feels at ease because he is with other people with sight loss and this is a constant reminder he will never be alone.

Nick has been in a dark place for such a long time and if it was not for the love of his family and friends he would not be with us today the future for him is a lot brighter than it was, even though he still struggles with mental health issues it is now under control, and he has had therapy for his drinking and has been dry for over one year.

Nick has also got himself a permanent place to live and has a voluntary job with his landlord as a neighbourhood rep, and he is also now in a long term relationship with a woman who accepts him for who he is.

Nick now knows if he has any problems he is not alone and has a group of friends he can call on for support.

by: David Taylor

Losing My Sight Magazine

www.lms-magazine.co.uk

How Low Vision Affects the Child Learning Process

http://www.freedom-eye.com/view_blog.asp?ID=218

Low vision is a condition where the natural ability of our eyes to function deflates. It's so severe that it cannot be corrected with ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses or even with surgery. But with various innovations, a person with low vision could still enjoy like he has a normal vision.

The eyes, as said, is the mirror of one’s soul. It is one of the most important senses. But as people grow older, vision loss is inevitable. Once our ability to read, drive and even facial recognition is affected, surely this can affect one’s confidence.

Radically, "low vision" describes as an eloquent visual impairment that cannot be rectified fully with ordinary glasses, contact lenses, drug medication or even with eye surgery. There are several cases of visual impairment that cannot be corrected which includes:

· Loss of best-corrected visual acuity (BVCA)

· Serious visual field loss. Tunnel vision (depletion of vision in the perimeter) and blind spots are a paradigm of visual field damage

· Legal blindness. In the Northern part of America legal blindness is in 20/200 ratio or less central visual awareness in the preferable eye with best possible indemnification, or a visional field of 20 degrees or less.

· On the brink of total blindness.

In year 2010 the popularity of visual impairment in the United States (US) was 2.1 percent. This be composed of both low vision and complete blindness.

Children and grownups can suffer visual impairment, sometimes it is due to birth defects and sometimes due to an injury. Young ones with low vision may have issues with their ability to learn and they will need special methodologies and instruction in their learning process. They also need added assistance with socialization among other kids and adults.

But through varying innovations people who are suffering from low vision should worry no more. There are several options that are available online and optical shops that certainly will fit to their needs.

ARMD and LOW VISION

http://www.freedom-eye.com/view_blog.asp?ID=217

          Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD), is a medical condition which may result in blurred or no vision in the center of the visual field. Early on there are often no symptoms. Over time,

however, some people experience a gradual worsening of vision that may affect one or both eyes. While it does not result in complete blindness, loss of central vision can make it hard to recognize faces, drive, read, or perform other activities of daily life. Visual hallucinations may also occur but these do not represent a mental illness

.

Low-vision aids for macular degeneration

There are many devices specifically designed to help people with low vision function better. Different devices are available for different tasks. A trained professional can help you understand which device is best for accomplishing your particular needs. Training and practice are also important in order to become skilled at using any device.

Optical low-vision devices.Optical low-vision devices use lenses to magnify objects, making them easier to see. The lens strength will depend on your vision and the size of the object or print to be seen.

Magnifying spectacles. Stronger than ordinary glasses. They can be used for near tasks, such as reading, threading a needle, or any activity that requires detailed vision. The printed page or object must be held closer than usual in order to keep things in focus. One advantage of magnifying spectacles is that your hands remain free to hold reading materials or perform tasks.

Hand magnifiers. Familiar to most people and are available in varying strengths. Reading material is not necessarily held as close to the face as with magnifying spectacles, and some models come with a built-in light. High-quality and high-powered magnifiers are often available only in specialized stores or through vision rehabilitation professionals.

Stand magnifiers. Rest directly on the reading material, keeping the lens at the proper distance from the page. The ability to rest the magnifier on the page is useful for patients with a tremor or arthritis.

Telescopes. Used for seeing objects or reading signs that are far away. They can be handheld like a pair of regular binoculars or mounted on a pair of eyeglasses.

Video magnifiers. Electronic devices that use a camera and television screen to enlarge printed material, pictures, or small objects. They are adjustable and can enhance the material in different ways — for example, by making the print appear darker (increased contrast). The technology is developing rapidly, and electronic devices are becoming smaller, more portable and easier to use. Some can even be used for both distance and near tasks.

Reading Magnifier: Enjoying Reading Again

Having difficulty reading your favorite dailies every morning or your favorite author before going to bed due to low vision? You don’t have to worry anymore. There is a reading magnifier that is available in the market today. One could personally buy one on your local optical shop or to order one in an online shop.

A low vision disorder could not be corrected by eyeglasses or by contact lenses, but with the use of reading magnifier, a person could not miss reading newspapers every morning over a cup of coffee.

As we age, some degree of the difficulty in vision may be imminent, depending on how long our life span is. This is as a result of aging itself start to slow decline of the light-sensitive cells in the retina, where vision transformation occurs.

Reading magnifier is usually a handheld device, but can vary depending on the brand and its usage. Before jumping into buying a reading magnifier, one is advised to consult a vision specialist to get an expert guidance in ordering the right device for the specific needs.

Just like some people with an impairment who would need a wheelchair or a person who in other hand is suffering hearing loss needing a hearing aid, a person who has a low vision, needs extra help in addition to what common eyeglasses or even contact lensescan provide.

Several or various types of reading magnifier is readily available in almost all optical and even online shops. Reading magnifier varies depending on the user’s specific needs and comfort. Through these innovations, vision difficulties could no longer become a hindrance on grabbing your favorite reading materials. Anybody can now enjoy daily routines such as reading and even driving.

Start your pursuit for the right apparatus by assessing what precise types of vision magnifiers are accessible and what each apparatus can and cannot aid for specific types of vision difficulties.

Low Vision Aids for the Visually Impaired

If you have Glaucoma , Cataract , Macular degeneration , Diabetic retinopathy or are otherwise visually impaired, you’ll be pleased to know that Low Vision Aids can help! Low vision aids are also clinically proven to improve reading speed!

What are low vision aids ??

Low Vision Aids are tools that help those with vision loss maximize their remaining vision and these devices fall into one of three broad categories:

· Optical devices

· Electronic devices

Non-optical devices

Low Vision aids are like tools in a tool box. Just as a carpenter needs a hammer, screwdriver, and pliers to complete different tasks, so too willsomeone who is visually impaired need a number of Low Vision devices to perform various activities. A hand held magnifier may work great to read a menu, but not so well to read a book as you would get tired of holding it in your hands. In that case,a stand magnifier or pair of high-powered spectacles would work better. Typically, patients find success in maximizing their remaining vision with 3-5 different Low Vision aids.

DIABETES—— A GATEWAY TO BLINDNESS !!!

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Diabetes is one of the leading cause of blindness all over the world. It can effect vision in a variety of ways . Vision loss occurs due to two major problem which  are proliferative diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. Both are treatable with lasers but laser treatment can cause additional vision problems

People who are at most risk are the ones who have diabetes for long time or who are not treating their disease efficiently . Diabetic patient must be aware of the changes that occur due to diabetes .Diabetes can cause renal dysfunction , hypertension , retinopathy (diseases of retina) etc.

Here we will talk about Diabetic retinopathy that causes low vision or even blindness

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina (the back of your eye ). When these blood vessels are damaged, they may leak blood and grow fragile new vessels. When the nerve cells are damaged, vision is impaired. These changes can result in blurring of your vision, hemorrhage into your eye, or, if untreated, retinal detachment. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in the United States.

Risk Factors

- Poorly-controlled diabetes

·    High blood pressure

·    Long-term duration of diabetes

·    Elevated blood cholesterol levels

·    Sleep apnea

People with untreated diabetes are 25 times more at risk for blindness than the general population. The longer a person has had diabetes, the higher the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Fortunately, with regular, proper eye care and treatment when necessary, the incidence of severe vision loss has been greatly reduced. If you have diabetes, your ophthalmologist can help to prevent serious vision problemS,

Two major causes of vision loss are :

1-Macular edema

     2- Proliferative retinopathy and vitreous hemorrhage

Diabetic will suffer from following symptoms :

Fluctuating vision (changes in eye sight after short periods)

Loss of central sharp vision

Color vision effected ( no differentiation in yellow-green color )

Even when the diabetics take laser treatment it can also cause additional problems for vision

Loss of side vision after laser

Difficulty to differentiate lighter shades and unability to bear brighter light

Night blindness after laser ( unable to see at night so difficulty in driving or in dusk or foggy condition)

Glaucoma

Cataract

Diplopia (seeing double )

LOW VISION AIDS :

When searching for diabetic retinopathy aids, finding devices that provide additional lighting, viewing choices (such as vertical and horizontal screen), focus adjustment/magnification power, and color contrast options are all great features for visual support. Some diabetic retinopathy aids, like an electronic magnifier, can be carried in a pocket or a purse and offer powerful magnification, lighting, and image capture, which is helpful when viewing a menu for individuals with central loss of vision. With a feature like image capture, the information being viewed can be captured on the screen and displayed like a photograph, allowing the user to move the device displaying the image, to where peripheral sight can gather the magnified information. Larger diabetic retinopathy aids such as a desktop magnifier provide more hands-free visual assistance, geared at home and office usage. When deciding upon which diabetic retinopathy aid is right for you, determine what your primary use of the device will be, explore the features available and the ease of use of each aid, seek product feedback, and discuss with your eye-care specialist the available products for diabetic retinopathy aids.

CONCLUSION :

Key to diabetic vision loss is to prevent it through early detection and treatment. Once vision loss has occurred go to low vision specialist who will cope with your problem.