Bioptic Glasses for Driving

Losing your ability to safely drive due to low vision can be extremely demoralizing, as it greatly limits your personal freedom. Fortunately, there are specialized bioptic glasses designed for use while driving that can help you regain that independence and maintain the same quality of life you experience before the onset of low vision.

What are Bioptic Glasses?

Bioptic glasses serve a similar function for low vision patients as regular binoculars do for people with normal vision. However, unlike with regular binoculars, bioptic glasses. Designed for low vision patients, they are worn just like regular glasses.

Bioptic glasses look very much like regular ophthalmic glasses, except with the addition of miniature telescope lenses atop one or both lenses. The location of these telescopes is not random; it is very precisely placed above the eye level or line of sight, to enable the wearer to look through them when required, while utilizing the lenses’ regular prescription strength at other times.

Bioptic Glasses for Driving

Driving can be a major challenge for low vision patients. They had to be capable of seeing road conditions, making quick decisions to speed up, slow down, or change lands, as well as to view things like road signs, traffic lights, and other cars at distance.

Bioptic glasses especially help when it comes to focusing on specific objects while driving. Due to the placement of the telescope lenses, a driver will be looking through their regular prescription lenses most of the time, and can, with a simple downward tilt of the head, start looking through the telescope to focus on a specific object in the distance.

Part of the reason the telescopes are placed as they are is that it isn’t advisable to always look through them, since they limit the wearer’s field of view, which can be dangerous while driving.

Bioptic glasses often take some getting used to, but it generally doesn’t take long to adapt.

How Do I Get Bioptic Glasses?

If you think bioptic glasses can help you, the first step is to see a doctor for a comprehensive vision exam. This will allow them to determine exactly what sort of vision assistance you need (whether bioptic glasses, a different low vision device, or some combination), and they will then be able to make a recommendation on what would work best for you. They will then provide you with a prescription for your bioptic glasses.

Summary

Bioptic glasses are an extremely helpful low vision device which is especially useful while driving, thanks to it allowing the wearer to quickly switch to a higher magnification to focus on specific distant objects. If you are experiencing low vision and think bioptic glasses may help you, you can contact Amplify EyeCare of Greater Long Beach at (562) 925-6591 to schedule an appointment for a vision exam and consultation. 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.

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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.