FROM THE EDITOR
Education A two-way street for patients and doctors

Management of the patient with a visual impairment is much more than provision of magnification to see small letters on a chart. The typical patient comes to the low vision clinic seeking a return of vision and ease of performing daily tasks which are now continually frustrating and, "while you are at it doc, teach me to play the piano."

For the doctor, successful vision rehabilitation is an understanding of the psychological mindset of the patient. The clinician must be familiar with the clinical examination, the total profile of visual impairment beyond the acuity measurement, and the degree of depression, anxiety, and frustration the patient presents at the time of the examination.

The clinician must learn to take an effective history that demonstrates the impact of the vision loss on the individual's independence.

The successful rehabilitation clinician will educate the patient on the reason and course of the ocular disease or traumatic injury; will explain why regular glasses usually do not work; and will describe how magnification can help improve visual performance (not cure the vision loss).

The patient who is educated in this manner prior to the introduction of devices/specialized low vision prescriptions has a higher probability of being successful. This patient will understand why the clinician is offering them this strange-looking lens that makes them read with their nose and be more accepting of this option.

The educated patient will work with the rehabilitation team to overcome the limitations of the prescriptions and concentrate on the opportunity for improvements in visual performance.

Experience (and training) educate the doctor, and the experienced doctor will educate the patient.