| Low Vision Services
Low vision is a specialty in Optometry that assists patients who are close to being or are legally blind, usually due to disease or injury to the eye. The definition of legal blindness is the best corrected vision with eyeglasses or contacts at 20/200 or worse. Another definition is a major loss of visual field. You can have good central vision, say 20/20, but total loss of peripheral vision (tunnel vision). You wouldn't see something coming at you from the side (like a car or truck).
In either case, you may need a tool to help you see. For example, very powerful magnifying devices and even prisms in your glasses. These devices are numerous in their application. Certain magnifiers have halogen / LED light sources for reading. The optics are of extremely high quality and manufactured in Germany. There are also Keplerian and Galilean telescopes used for near and distance viewing (these are very small but powerful optics).
To begin the low vision journey, the patient needs to have a low vision exam. The doctor can then determine the level at which the patients visual acuity has been affected. At this point, the specialist will choose the correct device or devices for that particular patient's visual correction.
What's most important is being completely honest with patients about the reality of their vision and their goals (reading, tv, etc.). When a person is at this level of seeing, driving is usually not an option.
There are also low vision centers that we can refer patients to for the larger low vision aids like CRT magnifiers.
Giving just a little sight can help a person out of a world of darkness, and keep them connected with the world.
— Dr. Jim Wilson
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