eye on
LOW VISION

what�s it all about?
Low vision. You may not know what it means. Or, even if you do, you still may feel at a loss to help someone you care about who suffers from it. Worse yet, that person may have been told that nothing can be done to improve his or her vision.

Most of us take these special moments for granted.

But that is not true! And it is, in fact, why we, the members of the Low Vision Division of the Vision Council of America, created this magazine. Our goal is simple: to offer help�AND HOPE�to patients, their families, and caregivers.

The official definition of low vision is: a visual impairment that is not correctable through surgery, pharmaceuticals, glasses or contact lenses. But the real frustration is the way it can impair an individual�s ability to complete everyday tasks, follow daily routines, and experience simple pleasures the rest of us take for granted.

Age-related macular degeneration, also called AMD and ARMD, accounts for nearly half of all low vision cases and is the leading cause of blindness and vision loss among Americans over age 60.

WARNING SIGNS

How do you know if someone has problems that need attention? Common warning signs, especially for macular degeneration, include:

■ Trouble reading, cooking, doing close-up tasks
■ Difficulty recognizing familiar faces
■ Indoors, complaints that lights are too dim
■ Outdoors, problems reading signs or crossing the street

	Normal Vision
	Diabetic Retinopathy
	Glaucoma
	Macular Degeneration
	Retinitis Pigmentosa

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of those difficulties, tell your eye care professional immediately. Or, if you�re not reading this magazine in a doctor�s office, be sure to call and make an appointment. If you don�t have a doctor and are looking for a low vision specialist, call us at 1-800-455-8006.

GETTING HELP

Due to a variety of factors�people living longer, dietary changes, and holes in the ozone layer, to name just three�the incidence of macular degeneration is expected to double by 2020.

Though there is as yet no cure, there�s a big difference between no cure and no help. And, a broad range of services, as well as devices�including magnifiers, closed circuit TVs, and telescopes�help the partially sighted maintain a good quality of life by restoring visual independence.

Care may begin with eye exams and a low vision evaluation. After the diagnosis, treatment may include a prescription for devices like those mentioned above, a program of vision rehabilitation, training on how to use devices, as well as new ways to complete everyday tasks. Knowing you�re not alone is important, so support groups can also help.

IMPORTANCE OF EYE EXAMS

Often, an eye care professional will detect early signs of AMD and other diseases that result in low vision before the patient experiences any symptoms.

Some treatments can slow and, in the case of what�s called �the wet form,� sometimes even stop its progression. This is one more reason why it�s important to see your eye doctor on a regular basis.

Though the National Advisory Eye Council reports that more than one in 20 people over 65 have macular degeneration, it�s not just about age. According to the National Eye Institute, more than 30 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have some form of diabetic retinopathy.

These are just a few reasons why regular eye exams are so important. A diagnosis is just a first step, however. If ever an eye care professional tells you nothing more can be done, seek a second opinion. There may not be a cure, but there is help. Call us at 1-800-455-8006.