Low Vision and Its Challenges

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While most of us know when we need to see an eye doctor, perhaps it’s because words on a page seem blurry or signs off the highway seem unclear, we may not know what to do or who to turn to when our vision begins to fade. For those who have been diagnosed with macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and conditions for which glasses or drops have already been prescribed, patients may assume that having low vision is either par for the course or simply not treatable. But that is precisely where low vision care comes into play.

Low Vision Defined

Low vision is very much what it sounds like. It makes everyday activities, from deciphering colors, to reading, to driving, to being unable to recognize others, a challenge. Low vision cannot be fixed or reversed with glasses, surgical interventions, or medication. It can be addressed however, through the use of assistive devices that enable you to enjoy activities you may have thought you’d have to give up on.

How do You Know if You are Experiencing Low Vision?

Our eyes help us see and perceive objects in various levels of light and darkness and must use available cues, both internal and external, to discern what it is they are seeing. If, for example, you experience any of the following, it may be time to see an optometrist like Dr. Heather McBryar, who specializes in low vision treatment.

An inability to see things directly through the center of your eye
Difficulty adjusting to contrasting colors
Decreased peripheral vision
Being unable to see well at night
Blurry or fuzzy vision
Sensitivity to glare
Difficulty adjusting your vision when you move from indoors to outdoors and vice versa

How do You Know if You are Experiencing Low Vision?

How Low Vision is Treated

High power spectacle magnification that increases the size of words and letters
Glare filters that both reduce glare and increase contrast
Handheld magnifiers that increase print
Devices and apps that allow for contrast changes in newspapers and circulars
High power spectacle magnification that increases the size of words and letters

In addition, vision rehabilitation services throughout the United States provide home visits, equipment, and concrete services to patients who meet specific guidelines. If you meet criteria, you may be eligible for items such as:

Optometrist recommended filters and magnifiers
Talking Watches
Large buttoned phones and kitchen appliances
Button dots that can be placed on appliances that use timers and temperature gauges

Vocational Rehabilitation and Treatment

For individuals who have lost their jobs due to low vision vocational rehab can help. This intervention is also helpful for those who may want to learn new skills and transition to different fields.

Vocational rehabilitation can be quite effective for teenagers transitioning from high school to the workforce, as well as those who want to pursue a college education or trade.

Education and Support

Although there are a number of ways patients with low vision can live successful, productive lives, they may not know what options are available to them. Additionally, and particularly for patients who were once fully- sighted, there is a very real grief process that often takes place. Being unable to see or perceive the world around you as you once did can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, resentment, and fear.

Part of helping patients is not only giving them physical tools, but emotional support that acknowledges how they are feeling and validates their struggles. And though we don’t want folks to live in those emotional moments, we feel strongly about acknowledging and supporting them in order to help them move forward with their low vision care.

Common Questions

Why Have I Never Heard Of “Low Vision Treatment” Before?

One of the biggest challenges we face is the public’s lack of awareness of low vision treatment. Realistically, patients are sometimes unsure or don’t know what low vision means because there are very few of us who provide this treatment. And when they do hear about what we do, they often don’t think to ask themselves if they should make an appointment to see us.

I Have A Regular Optometrist, So Do I Need To See Someone Who Specializes In Low Vision?

The short answer to this question is yes. While your optometrist focuses on eye exams and medical interventions, low vision optometrists work on visual rehabilitation. When you receive low vision services, your doctor evaluates what your vision is like today, what is needed to meet your goals, and then, how to change your plan of care over time in order to continue to meet those goals.

I’m Getting Older And My Vision Is Going. Shouldn’t I Just Accept That?

Certainly you are free to “just accept” the fact that your vision is declining, but you most certainly do not have to. There are ways to help you continue to engage in activities that give you meaning, pleasure. There may be a time when there are things you truly can no longer do, but low vision doesn’t have to be the end all to those activities.

Why Low Vision Therapy Matters

Low vision optometry is a field that has been around for years, but is still coming into its own. That is why we get asked all sorts of questions about what we do and how.

Low vision care involves so much more than seeing the world the way you used to. It is also about adapting to change and learning how to see things in an entirely different light. 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.

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Testimonials

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.

Amanda T.

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.

Alexa H.

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!

Charlotte M.

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!

Olivia C.

Seems much less frustrated with life

Reads non-stop and fast

Spelling abilities have been hugely improved

Seems much more confident

Thank You!!!

Kelly O.

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!!!