What is the benefit of combining Low Vision and Neuro Optometry?

Published on

March 8, 2022

As a neuro optometry practice there are often patients who overlap with two subspecialties of optometry. For example a stroke patient may require neuro optometric rehabilitation as well as low vision. Because we see so many patients with complex cases, there are many benefits to having both specialties at our practice, which allows us to provide a more holistic treatment program for any patient that comes to us.

What is low vision?

Low vision is defined as a significant vision impairment that cannot be fully corrected by glasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery. The number of cases of low vision is on the rise. The leading cause of permanent vision loss in Americans over the age of 60 is from macular degeneration. Another common cause of low vision is a stroke, these patients benefit from vision rehabilitation and low vision treatment. As a multi-specialty practice our eye doctors use different strategies to enable patients to be able to live safely in the community even when they have lost some of their vision.

Causes of low vision

Eye diseases or conditions that cause low vision include:

Cataracts: Cloudiness of the natural lens of your eye results in a cataract. When the proteins in your lens break down, things appear blurry, hazy, or less colorful.
Macular degeneration: A condition in which a person gradually loses the central part of their vision.
Diabetic retinopathy: Damage to the retina caused by diabetes, which can result in blind spots, blurriness and distortion of vision.
Glaucoma: Damage caused to the retina by excessive eye pressure. This gradually reduces peripheral vision.
Retinitis pigmentosa: A condition in which the retina deteriorates leading to reduced peripheral vision and reduced abilities to see in the dark.

Categories of low vision

According to the American Optometric Association, low vision falls into two categories:

Partially sighted: the person has visual acuity between 20/70 and 20/200 with conventional prescription lenses.

Legally blind: the person has visual acuity no better than 20/200 with conventional correction and/or a restricted field of vision less than 20 degrees wide.

What are the most common low vision aids?

Visual aids are helpful to many people with low vision. Some of the most popular low vision aids are:

Telescopic glasses
Filtering lenses
Magnifying glasses
Hand magnifiers
Closed-circuit televisions
Reading prisms

Why choose Amplify EyeCare of Greater Long Beach for your Low Vision care?

If you have permanent vision loss and are in need of a low vision optometrist, you should always schedule an evaluation. By combining two specialties in optometry that are usually performed at separate offices, our office has a unique position. If a patient with low vision has a complex case, has experienced a traumatic brain injury such as a concussion, or has low vision as a result of a stroke, our office can give them a more holistic approach to treatment.

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.