According to the American Optometric Association, approximately 80% of what a child learns in school is acquired through vision, and […]
This article describes the type of person who may benefit from low vision care, with a look at the causes of the condition, different ways that it presents, and types of interventions and vision care to improve daily life and enable the person to engage in different activities. We are committed to helping low vision patients regain visual activity and independence.
Low vision is a problem that can significantly affect the daily activities of adults and children; it can make it difficult to read newspapers, watch television, drive a car, use a cell phone, and enjoy many other activities. In some cases, low vision can be a sign of a serious medical condition and lead to blindness.
If you experience sudden vision loss or decreased visual acuity that interferes with your daily activities, a visit to our low vision optometrist is strongly recommended for an assessment of your low vision glasses, and how additional visual aid devices may be utilized to enable you to perform tasks that have become difficult.
There are a variety of conditions that can cause low vision. It is usually the result of damage to one or more of the structures in the eye that is caused by an injury or medical condition. It can also result from neurological conditions, such as strokes and Parkinson's disease. People with the following conditions are at higher risk for developing low vision.
There are three types of low vision:
Low vision can affect both adults and children. It is most commonly associated with age. For example 40% or more of low vision is from Age Related macular degeneration (key part is the age related as it impacts elderly).
People with visual impairments usually report one or more of the following symptoms:
Two doctors are needed to accurately treat patients with low vision. The first physician to whom patients with low vision are sent is an ophthalmologist. This doctor treats underlying conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma, and administers shots or drops as necessary. Thereafter, patients are seen by a low vision optometrist for follow up. This ophthalmologist and low vision optometrist’s care is needed in order to monitor the conditions for which the patient is being seen, maximize remaining vision for functional purposes, and help them retain and maintain their vision.
Before treatment begins, several factors must be considered when low vision is observed. For example, problems with visual function that make it difficult to perform daily activities or interfere with your work, education, or independent living (driving, shopping, walking, shoppin) should be assessed by our low vision optometrist as soon as possible. Additionally, if your low vision cannot be corrected with conventional corrective devices, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses, you may be dealing with a more severe eye problem.
In the elderly, low vision may indicate the presence of a cataract that needs to be surgically removed. Other conditions that may be present include diabetes, hypertension, or age-related macular degeneration. In children however, low vision may indicate a congenital malformation, glaucoma, or eye and brain tumor.
If a patient’s low vision cannot be corrected medically or surgically, your doctor can refer you to our low vision optometrist for further treatment. It is important to keep in mind that there are multiple vision aids that can be prescribed that are known to enhance visual rehabilitation. These products can help you perform your daily activities as well as improve your overall quality of life.
Visual devices such as lighted handheld magnifiers, digital desktop magnifiers, and bioptic telescopes, custom magnifying glasses, and prisms, have proven helpful as a reading aid. Other non-optical products, such as audio recordings and speech command software, can also enhance one’s visual experience by greatly decreasing dependence on vision. Other chronic symptoms of low vision, such as light sensitivity and color contrast difficulties, can be further treated through the use of eyewear with a UV filter and special tints.
Low vision can affect virtually anyone at any age, though it is most common in the elderly. This is due to the fact that eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration typically occur within this demographic and can lead to a variety of visual impairment.
An eye examination by a low vision optometrist includes distance testing with a vision chart and other visual acuity measurement devices that can diagnose low vision. Other tests that are used to measure low vision include lighting techniques, magnifiers, and special charts that test visual acuity, depth perception, and visual field.
Interventions for low vision depend mainly on the conditions that cause it. Low vision optometrists can prescribe custom eyeglasses or low vision devices to help you achieve the best visual acuity possible. If additional support is needed, a low vision optometrist can also provide you with appropriate low vision aids and devices. If other medical conditions affect your vision, an ophthalmologist can prescribe the appropriate medical intervention so that you can see now and hopefully, for many years ahead.
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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