As an optometrist at Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga in Hixson, one of the most common questions Dr. Heather McBryar often encounters […]
Read on to learn more about how low vision care can help you maximize your remaining vision, despite your diabetic retinopathy diagnosis. When it seems like your vision loss has closed doors, low vision care can open windows to create opportunities that didn’t seem possible.
Diabetes can affect vision in a condition called diabetic retinopathy which usually affects both eyes. Approximately 1 out of 3 people with diabetes develops diabetic retinopathy, making it one of the leading causes of vision loss worldwide. An excess of glucose can cause damage to the very small blood vessels in the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, known as the retina. This can lead to all sorts of changes in the eyes varying from unnoticeable symptoms to blindness. There are different stages of this disease varying from the early stages where one can be asymptomatic through the end stage that can cause severe vision loss. There are treatment plans which can slow down or even prevent vision loss if diagnosed early enough, however vision loss that has already occurred from diabetic retinopathy cannot be regained.
If you are suffering from visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy and it seems as though the door has been shut on your ability to perform visual tasks, there is no need to despair. Low vision opens the door to a world of possibilities which incorporates your visual abilities that have not been lost in order to be able to enjoy your vision.
Low vision is a field devoted to finding solutions despite a visual impairment that is creating obstacles in the way you live your day to day life. When you come to Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga for a low vision eye exam, Dr. Heather McBryar will do a special eye exam that evaluates your remaining vision, at a distance and from close up. Additionally, your field of vision will be evaluated and your contrast sensitivity will be checked, amongst other low vision tests. You will discuss together which visual tasks you are finding challenging and Dr. McBryar will then work with you to find solutions that will enable you to accomplish what you set out to do.
There are a variety of visual aids that can be extremely useful to help you see despite your diabetic retinopathy diagnosis. If you have a family member or caretaker who is instrumental in helping you with your daily needs, it is highly recommended that they attend the appointment as well. It will give them the opportunity to learn more about your visual impairment so that they can understand how it impacts you functionally, enabling them to support you more effectively.
There are characteristic visual impairments caused by diabetic retinopathy which can be greatly helped with low vision, some include:
All of these visual challenges can make it very difficult for a person with diabetic retinopathy to function and accomplish tasks like they used to, prior to being diagnosed. The field of low vision offers many solutions and visual aids to allow a person with diabetic retinopathy reclaim their independence.
After the low vision eye exam, Dr. Heather McBryar will discuss various professional solutions with you catered to your individual needs and daily tasks or activities. The visual aids range from simple household products, to special glasses and electronic devices. There are so many possibilities of low vision aids that can help you increase your quality of life and some examples will be discussed here.
There are many different types of magnifying glasses which can help with central vision loss, such as handheld, standing or spectacle form and they can assist you to zoom in on what you’re trying to read or work on. Telescopes of different kinds are available to help you zoom in on objects that are at a distance, such as the number on a bus approaching from a distance. Filters can improve vision for a person with diabetic retinopathy by increasing contrast sensitivity and reducing glare. E-scoop glasses are a wonderful low vision aid for early stages of visual impairment as it includes many optical features that can help you reclaim your independence despite the vision loss you are experiencing. A device called a CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) has been created to enable you to scan what you’re trying to read onto a screen. The CCTV enlarges the text and can provide various features, including increasing contrast between the text and the background.
There are companies that invented cutting edge technology which they’re constantly improving, each offering their own unique visual experience that enhances your vision. Some examples include OrCam, IrisVision or eSight, just to name a few. In addition to visual aids, simply adjusting the lighting in your home appropriately, under the guidance of a professional low vision optometrist, can really make an impact on how you see. There are also some simple assistive tools, such as placing rubbery adhesive bumps, known as tactile dots, on different flat buttons around your home to help you find the buttons easier. Dr. Heather McBryar will be happy to answer all of your questions and to find the best visual aids for you so that you can reclaim your independence and achieve what you set out to do, despite having a visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy.
In order to understand how low vision can change lives for the better after being diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, it is essential to understand this eye condition and to know what to look out for. To learn about the different stages of diabetic retinopathy and for more information, click here.
Diabetic retinopathy is a common eye disorder in which diabetes damages one's vision and it is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide. If you have a visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy, we would be honored to work with you to find solutions and improve your quality of life with low vision care. Please call our office at (423) 710 3965 or click here to Book an Appointment for a low vision eye exam. Patients with low vision visit our clinic from all over Tennessee, and we are proud to be a leading provider of low vision services for patients from Hixson, Chattanooga, Cleveland, and Middle Valley.
Vision therapy is well worth the response, time and effort. Our Son had a hard time focusing and writing neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time if previously took. His abilities to focus improved greatly and so did his handwriting.
Also, he was better at listening. As a parent, we wanted learning to be fun for our Son, and vision therapy made this possible.
Vision Therapy is well worth the expense, time and effort. Our son had a hard time focusing handwriting neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time it previously took his abilities to focus and improved greatly and so did his handwriting.
Also, he was better at listening. As a parent you wanted learning to be fun for our son and vision therapy made this possible.
Vision Therapy has given or son the tools he needs to be able to scan and read the written word more effectively and efficiently.
He love working with John and these working sessions give him the motivation to gladly work on his homework assignments.
It amazed us to see the difference in the tracking of his eyes and along a line of it's from the beginning to the end of the treatment.
Dr. McBryar , Kristen and John are all marvelous and we would recommend them to anyone I only wish that we would have found them sooner!
Prior to coming to the institute for vision development my son complained of daily headaches. Therapy has eliminated his headaches completely. I love knowing my son is able to learn pain-free for the rest of his life because of the work that has been done over just a few weeks in this office. He he absolutely loved coming that didn't even feel like going to a doctor or therapy. We are grateful for the relief he was able to find by coming here.
Thank you!
Seems much less frustrated with life
Reads non-stop and fast
Spelling abilities have been hugely improved
Seems much more confident
Thank You!!!
When we first came to the practice, my son did not have huge issues, but lots of small ones- trouble with reading, sports (hitting the baseball consistently), coordination, etc- that were not easily detectable,but when put together presented issues. The staff here were all very professional and loving towards him. While I was concerned in the reading, my son was concerned with the athletic side. Seeing improvement night off the bat gave him confidence that i have nor seen in him and made him want to not only Come to therapy, but also made him want to work hard. He has surpassed his grade level and above in reading and hit his first home run this year! Thank you!!!
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