According to the American Optometric Association, approximately 80% of what a child learns in school is acquired through vision, and […]
Age related macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of vision loss worldwide. As the name states, it is a condition common in senior citizens and is a progressive disease in the part of the retina, called the macula. There are two types of this condition, dry or wet AMD. Age related macular degeneration begins dry, which is the less serious kind of AMD and if it is not treated, it can become the more severe type which is wet AMD.
There are treatment plans which can slow down or even prevent vision loss if diagnosed early enough, however vision loss from macular degeneration cannot be regained. If you are suffering from visual impairment due to AMD and it seems as though the door has been shut on your ability to perform visual tasks, there is no need to despair. Low vision opens the door to a world of possibilities which incorporates your visual abilities that have not been lost in order to be able to enjoy your vision.
Low vision is a field devoted to finding solutions despite a visual impairment that is creating obstacles in the way you live your day to day life. When you come to Amplify EyeCare of Greater Long Beach for a low vision eye exam, Dr. Eric T. Ikeda will do a special eye exam that evaluates your remaining vision, at a distance and from close up. Additionally, your field of vision will be evaluated and your contrast sensitivity will be checked, amongst other low vision tests. You will discuss together which visual tasks you are finding challenging and Dr. Ikeda will then work with you to find solutions that will enable you to accomplish what you set out to do.
There are a variety of visual aids that can be extremely useful to help you see despite your macular degeneration diagnosis. If you have a family member or caretaker who is instrumental in helping you with your daily needs, it is highly recommended that they attend the appointment as well. It will give them the opportunity to learn more about your visual impairment so that they can understand how it impacts you functionally, enabling them to support you more effectively.
There are characteristic visual impairments caused by macular degeneration which can be greatly helped with low vision, some include:
All of these visual challenges can make it very difficult for a person with macular degeneration to function and accomplish tasks like they used to, prior to developing AMD. The field of low vision offers many solutions and visual aids to allow a person with AMD to reclaim their independence.
After the low vision eye exam, Dr. Eric T. Ikeda will discuss various professional solutions with you catered to your individual needs and daily tasks or activities. The visual aids range from simple household products, to special glasses and electronic devices. There are so many possibilities of low vision aids that can help you increase your quality of life and some examples will be discussed here.
There are many different types of magnifying glasses which can help central vision loss, such as handheld, standing or spectacle form and they can assist you to zoom in on what you’re trying to read or work on. Filters can improve vision for a person with macular degeneration by increasing contrast sensitivity and reducing glare. E-scoop glasses are a wonderful low vision aid as it includes many optical features that can help you reclaim your independence despite the vision loss you are experiencing. A device called a CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) has been created to enable you to scan what you’re trying to read onto a screen. The CCTV enlarges the text and can provide various features, including increasing contrast between the text and the background.
There are companies that invented cutting edge technology, each offering their own unique visual experience which enhances your vision and some of these include OrCam, IrisVision or eSight, just to name a few. In addition to the visual aids, properly adjusting the lighting in your home under the guidance of a professional low vision optometrist can really make an impact on how you see. There are also some simple assistive tools, such as placing rubbery adhesive bumps, known as tactile dots, on different flat buttons around your home to help you find the buttons easier. Dr. Eric T. Ikeda will be happy to answer all of your questions and to find the best visual aids for you so that you can reclaim your independence and achieve what you set out to do, despite having a visual impairment due to macular degeneration.
In order to understand how low vision can change lives for the better after being diagnosed with macular degeneration, it is essential to understand this eye condition and to know what to look out for. To learn about the different kinds of macular degeneration and for more information, click here.
If you are suffering from vision loss due to macular degeneration, we can help you reclaim your independence and enjoy activities you used to partake in prior to developing a visual impairment. Low vision offers many solutions and visual aids to help enhance your quality of life. To schedule a low vision eye exam, click here Book an Appointment or call (562) 925-6591. Patients with low vision visit our clinic from all over California, and we are proud to be a leading provider of low vision services for patients from Bellflower, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Los Angeles.
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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