How to help someone who is visually impaired

Published on

August 23, 2022

Vision impairment affects approximately 12 million Americans over 40 years of age.

Whenever our low vision optometrist Dr. Wolff sees a patient suffering from low vision, she encourages them to bring family members along, typically a spouse or someone who will be taking care of them. Because it is something that patients and their families go through together when one member of the family loses vision.

What is an example of a way a family member can support and help a loved one who has vision loss?

When someone comes in with peripheral vision loss on one side from a stroke, Dr. Wolff educates the spouse, family members, or caregivers, to present objects to the patient from the side where the patient can't see very well. What this does is to challenge them as well as support them.

This is really the key of the loved ones being in the exam, they are educated to be a support while also helping their loved ones by providing the right kind of challenges to the patients vision.

How can you make the life of someone with impaired vision easier?

Here are some good suggestions:

Consider the person - Every individual is different in terms of their age, character, functionality, and life experience as well as the nature of their impairment.
Respect their dignity - If you wish to provide assistance, you should respect their dignity at all times.
Don’t move things around - Moving things around can be very frustrating for someone with low vision, so keep things in the same place.
Consider the environment - Keep the environment in mind at all times. A visually impaired woman preparing you a cup of tea in her own home will likely be fine. It is clearly a different situation than a visually impaired man lost in a crowded mall.
Encourage them to visit a low vision optometrist - You should encourage your family members with impaired vision to schedule routine eye exams with a low vision optometrist. Help them maximize their visual abilities by accompanying them to understand how to assist them.
Follow our website & social media - Watch our videos and read our articles regularly on our website and social media accounts.

Schedule an appointment

If your loved one is suffering from vision impairment and you would like to know more about how to assist them, speak to our residency trained low vision optometrist. You can schedule a low vision consultation by calling (562) 925-6591.

Testimonials

I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.

Claire A.

Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.

Jim K.

My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!

Teresa S.

The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.

Joe M.

I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.

Kayla W.

This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.

Very professional staff and pleasant.