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Who do you turn to when you have Low Vision?

The answer to this question may vary with the severity of your vision loss, and the part of the country you live in.


For those patients with Minimal vision loss, say 20/100 vision or better, you may find all the help you need with a local Optometrist who "dabbles" in Low Vision and has had minimal training in the techniques and devices available.

For patients suffering from moderate vision loss, you would be better served by a doctor who "specializes" in Low Vision.  These doctors will have a  wider range of optical and non optical devices to assist you, and typically see at least three low vision patients weekly.  They should also have at least one CCTV in their office to demonstrate this technology.

For patients with severe vision loss, generally 20/200 or worse, or those having unusual types of vision loss such as field defects from R.P., Stroke, or glaucoma, you would be best served by someone who practices Low Vision Care on a full time, or nearly full time basis.  These individuals generally have a much higher level of expertise, and a greater variety of assistive devices to help patients with very poor vision.

There is little information available on where to find these doctors who are fully committed to Low Vision.  They generally practice in academic, hospital, or non-profit agency settings, although some are found in private practices as well.
The best source that I have found is the list of Diplomates in Low Vision of the American Academy of Optometry.  While this list is small, the doctors on the list are generally dedicated to the practice of Low Vision and keeping their knowledge in the field completely up to date.  Becoming a Diplomate is a rigorous exercise in self improvement, measured by a series of examinations and case reports.  While not all doctors who concentrate their practices in Low Vision will put themselves through this effort, you can rest assured that the 50 or so doctors, worldwide, who have completed the program, are among the best qualified anywhere.

The list of Low Vision Diplomates is available at the web site of the American Academy of Optometry, with the link below.  I am proud to be among their number.
http://www.aaopt.org/membersearch/
Select Members see Patients - YES
Select Diplomates - Low Vision Section and Clinical
The currently practicing Low Vision Diplomates List will be returned.

I have copied the information here, in small print only.


One final note: be wary of doctors or others who advertise low vision services.  There are unfortunately some unscrupulous individuals who will take advantage of desperate disabled patients.
Most doctors will advertise on a limited basis when they open or expand an office. The type of advertisers to be wary of are those who advertise on radio or television.    In addition, some of these practitioners will charge prices for devices that are many times higher than one would pay elsewhere.  I have seen patients who have paid $350 to $500 for a pair of glasses that would have cost less than $100 almost anywhere else.  There are no laws prohibiting this practice of charging high prices.  A simple Caveat applies: you wouldn't go to a brain surgeon who advertised on the radio, why would you take your eyes there?

Due to lax state laws, there are also people who sell CCTV's that promote themselves as Low Vision Centers, even though there are no doctors on the premises.  They are generally in business to sell you the most expensive devices they can because  they live off commissions.  While many of them are nice people, you must always ask yourself if the device they are recommending is for your benefit, or for theirs.
These individuals are generally prone to prescribe much more expensive types of devices to patients who may be better served with simpler options.
Because they are not doctors and have no advanced training in refraction and optics, they are only familiar with optical devices on a very superficial level.


Low Vision Centers run by Lay People

There are Low Vision of Magnifier stores run by untrained individuals increasingly found across the country.  Some are even run by Lions Clubs or non-profit agencies.  While many of these are run by well meaning individuals, they have no professional training in eye care and cannot legally offer the full range of prescription devices available.  Many are also strictly run as for profit businesses and they may be more interested in your money than in helping you.  Buyer - beware.
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