If you are an ophthalmologist, you probably see patients on a daily basis that suffer from macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, inoperable cataracts, and other diseases that cause varying degrees of vision loss. In some cases, there are surgical treatments or medications that can be offered to address the symptoms of the underlying pathology.
But, in many cases, the disease may not be curable, or the treatment may not provide patient satisfaction. The patient may still indicate that their vision is not what it once was, or that they are still having difficulties and are unable to function as they once did because of poor vision.
People who have vision loss that is not correctable with contact lenses or traditional eyeglasses, and cannot be cured by surgical or therapeutic treatment are commonly referred to as having impaired vision or low vision. And, due to the underlying eye disease, these patients will experience either central vision loss, peripheral vision loss, and / or diminished contrast sensitivity, among other difficulties.
Low Vision Aids Will Help
Fortunately, there are profitable solutions available to assist patients with impaired vision (or low vision) and keep them independent and active. Vision aids (or low vision aids) are tools that are available in a variety of types including: spectacle and clip-on magnifiers, hand-held magnifiers, stand magnifiers, telescopes, absorptive filters, CCTVs or video magnifiers, and many non-optical tools, such as lighting and reading stands. These vision aids, through their magnification, telescopic properties, or contrast-enhancing features, can help the visually impaired with daily activities such as reading, writing, watching television, paying bills, or playing cards.
What is Low Vision Care?
Eyecare or rehabilitation professionals who assist visually impaired patients through an evaluation process, who dispense or recommend vision aids, and provide training or rehabilitation (among other services) are said to offer Low Vision Care. There are a number of different models for offering profitable Low Vision Care, and these vary depending on the number (and type) of practitioners involved, the setting (private practice, hospital, agency, etc.), the range of patients seen (slightly visually impaired to severely visually impaired), and on other characteristics.
How can I learn more about Low Vision Care?
Eschenbach offers a 3-hour continuing education course entitled, Low Vision Care...What's It All About?, which is offered 50+ times during the year throughout the US and Canada (click here for information and dates). An Eschenbach representative can also meet with you in your office to discuss how you can establish a profitable Low Vision service in your practice (click here for more information on the Eschenbach Low Vision Program).
To learn more about Low Vision Care, contact the American Academy of Ophthalmology and ask for information regarding Low Vision (click here for links to major eyecare and rehab organizations). You can also take courses related to Low Vision while attending professional meetings ( click here for the names of upcoming events).
Should I Offer Low Vision Care?
As the number of people who are visually impaired continues to grow, you should strongly consider establishing a Low Vision service in your practice. Your reputation will be enhanced, and at the same time, you’ll be providing a valuable, profitable service for your patients. Low Vision Care will prove to be an important, complementary service to the vision care your practice already provides.
If you choose not to offer Low Vision Care, we encourage you to refer your visually impaired patients to an eyecare or rehabilitation professional who does (click here for a link to our "Find a Specialist" page) to benefit these patients.
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