Westchester Low Vision
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Low Vision / Westchester / New York
Non Optical and Rehabilitation Page
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Non Optical Aspects of Low
Vision Care:
Other measures available include sunwear evaluations,
lighting and environmental design consultations to maximize function in
the patient's real world setting, and visual therapy to enhance performance.
Lighting
Proper lighting is often crucial to optimize visual performance
in patients with low vision. Most of the time, at the end of the
low vision exam, we will recommend task lighting to enhance a patients
ability to read printed materials. This is particularly important
when the materials in question are of poor contrast, such as newsprint.
We evaluate the amount of light that works best for each patient as the
exam proceeds, and may further recommend a particular type of lamp.
Mostly, we recommend reflector lamps, which concentrate the light onto
the patient's work area. We may also recommend a particular type
of bulb, with either regular soft white bulbs, or neodymium bulbs being
the most often recommended.
Most of the patients we see have more than one problem.
For example, many of the patients with Age Related Macular Degeneration
also have cataracts of varying degree. A strong level of illumination
is usually required for the retinal problem, but the cataract causes glare
from this higher illumination. The doctor must then consider further
adaptations to allow for maximum illumination on the task while minimizing
glare.
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Absorptive Lenses
Many Low vision patients also suffer from glare outdoors
in
the sun. In severe cases, even indoor lighting
may prove a problem for some patients. During the low vision exam,
these problems are explored both by patient history and by observations
and testing. When necessary, a trial of different absorptive lenses
is done to find the best lens to reduce glare without compromising vision.
While this is to some extent a trial and error process, the expertise of
the doctor and his staff will assist the patient in making the correct
choices. Unlike the selection of sunwear in a drugstore or optical
store, our offices have not only many more colors of absorptive lenses,
but we carry each of these colors in several densities as well. This
is because the need for a glare protective lens of a certain darkness will
vary with lighting conditions.
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Visual Training
Many of our patients require not only adaptive devices
for their vision loss, but training in how to better use their remaining
vision. The complicated term for this is Neuro-muscular re-education.
It consists of eccentric viewing training
for patients with central scotomas (blind spots), scanning and localization
training for patients with peripheral vision loss, eye hand coordination
training for patients who's vision loss has effected this area, and often,
after stroke or head trauma, specialized training for conditions known
as neglect and postural or gait difficulties. All low vision evaluations
look for any of these problems that often accompany vision loss, and training
is provided as needed.
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Other Vision Rehabilitation
services:
Social Services and referrals for Orientation and Mobility
Training and Activities of Daily Living Programs are provided as indicated
after your low vision examination.
Social Services can assist with
both psychological adaptation to your vision loss, and with finding assistance
for related difficulties you may be having. For example, if a patient
is having housing problems, problems managing their home, problems with
an employer, or problems with insurance or disability coverage, a social
worker can help you navigate the bureaucratic paperwork jungle. In
addition, more than a third of patients who lose vision become depressed
from the loss. It is a normal reaction, but one that you can be helped
to deal with. It isn't necessary to suffer alone.
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Rehabilitation Teachers
Rehabilitation Teachers help patients to adapt to difficulties
in their work or daily living activities. through the use of training
and adaptive devices, many if not most patients with low vision can continue
on their jobs, and continue to manage a home and remain independent.
Orientation and Mobility
Orientation and Mobility teachers more specifically work
with any travel difficulties a low vision patient may experience.
They can help if you have trouble seeing curbs or steps while walking,
trouble crossing streets and seeing cars or traffic signals, or trouble
finding your way around unfamiliar areas.
Often, an O&M teacher will work with a low vision
patient who has had a telescope prescribed, to make sure they can use it
safely and efficiently in the street environment.
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