Low Vision Service

Low Vision is a condition of impaired vision. This condition cannot be fully restored, using conventional eyeglasses, contact lenses, medical treatment, or surgery. However, low vision is not total blindness. People with low vision have potentially useful vision and can very often be helped through our Low Vision Service.

Our Low Vision Service offers complete assessment of visual needs and can determine and prescribe the proper low vision aids and devices, including hand magnifiers, telescopes, microscopes, contact lenses, and electronic magnification devices, that can help the visually disabled become more visually independent and functional.

Usually a Low Vision assessment is performed after the patient has undergone a comprehensive examination to determine if conventional eyeglasses can help or to diagnose and treat a medical problem that may cause the reduced vision.

Many of our patients in the Low Vision Service are referred by optometrists, ophthalmologists, other professionals, Lions Clubs, schools for the visually disabled, and the Department of Rehabilitation, and other agencies.

Sometimes if the patient has additional needs that cannot be met by the Low Vision Service, an appropriate referral will be made.  Such services may include orientation and motility (cane travel), counseling to aid in adjustment to the vision loss, rehabilitation counseling, vision support groups, driving instruction with low vision aids, and extensive training in activities of everyday living.