UNC Kittner Eye Center
LIVING WITH LOW VISION PROGRAM
If you or a loved one has been told that nothing more could be done for failing vision-- then low vision care may be the answer you have been seeking. You should request low vision care as soon as possible after a diagnosis of vision loss has been made.
Vision Rehabilitation (Low Vision) Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Low Vision?
It is estimated that there are now over 10 million people in this country who have serious visual impairments. A person with low vision still has some amount of useful vision but it is not sufficient for their daily needs. Watching television, seeing street signs or people's faces, and even reading large print may all be difficult. Conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses don't help.
Is low vision the same as blindness?
NO! Most people think blindness is a total lack of vision. Legal blindness means that the better eye cannot read the large "E" on the vision chart or that there is a large amount of "tunnel vision". But legal blindness does not mean there is no sight! Seventy-five percent of legally blind persons have some usable vision! Many can be helped to better use their remaining sight with the use of special aids called low vision devices.
Who can be helped?
Even patients who have diseases that can no longer be helped through medical means may be helped with advanced low vision devices. Individuals who were born with visual impairments are often quite successful with these devices. Individuals who have suffered vision loss from congenital disorders, disease, stroke, and trauma can often benefit from vision rehabilitative treatment as well. If you can see better when you use binoculars or when you read larger print or move closer to the TV, chances are you can be helped with low vision care.
What kinds of vision problems can be treated?
We can treat problems related to:
· Loss of detail vision for activities such as reading, recognizing faces, seeing signs, TV and computer screens.
· Loss of side vision for walking, reading and hand-eye coordination.
· Loss of eye movement control and double vision.
· Home management skills including cooking, laundry and financial activities.
· Work-related needs.
What is involved?
An evaluation is necessary to determine the individual needs of each patient. It can be wide ranging and detailed. The needs of daily living, work and leisure activities are also considered. Aids are then prescribed to address the patient's needs and eye condition, and therapists can become involved to help you learn to use your remaining vision and aids most effectively.
What are low vision aids?
There are now available a huge range of mechanical, optical, electronic, and computer aids. They are designed to provide low vision patients better sight than they can get from even the strongest conventional glasses. Aids may include large print books, magnifiers, special lenses for reading, miniature telescopes, visual field expanders, and electronic magnifiers that can magnify print up to 60 times!
Special light controlling techniques are also used to enhance the use of eyeglasses and other visual aids prescribed. Some aids will be familiar to you, while others require instruction and practice. Individuals may need different aids for different activities. Nearly all must make adjustments to use them. Often, it is like learning to see again! BUT, one cannot hurt one's eyes by asking them to see!
What kind of specialists will I see?
Our low vision program includes optometrists, ophthalmology residents, occupational therapists, technicians and social workers all specially trained to help support the needs of the visually impaired. While you may not require the services of all of our experts, they are available when and if you do.
Success!
The keys to success in low vision care rest not only in the proper selection of aids but in learning to use them. The better your vision is when you start, the easier it will be to learn to use these special aids. You should seek low vision care as soon as possible after your diagnosis is made.
Want help?
Call to make an appointment (919-966-2061) at the Low Vision Clinic. Or, request a referral from your own eye specialist, neurologist or other health care provider knowledgeable about your needs. We will keep them fully updated concerning our examination and recommendations.
Not sure?
We’ll be happy to review your records or speak with your own eye specialist before you make your appointment.
Remember: This special examination and treatment does not replace the eye care that you presently receive from your own eye specialist.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES YOU MAY FIND HELPFUL:
Online Lessons on Living Better at Home, filled with tips to make your new life easier at: www.lighthouse.org/livingbetter/
Reading
Many people miss reading more than any other activity. Your local library can supply large print books and books on CD or tape. There are also come central sources such as:
· The North Carolina Library for the Blind
Toll free number: 888-388-2460
Email:
· The National Library for the Blind
Toll free number: 888-657-7323
Email: .
Download free ebooks at: http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/
Free audiobooks at Librivox may be accessed at http://librivox.org. There are even Scan to Speech technologies, like the SARA, which can scan a book and read it to you. See http://freedomscientific.com.
Computers
Computers can magnify the text on the screen to make it more readable. Apple MacIntosh Computers even have the built-in ability to read your email to you. There are software packages such as Zoom Text for the PC, which can magnify images on your computer screen and also read it out loud.
ZoomText by Ai Squared, with or without speech http://www.aisquared.com/index.cfm
Apple’s Universal Access
http://www.apple.com/accessibility/vision/index.html
Speech recognition software such as Dragon Naturally Speaking or MacSpeech can type what you speak onto your computer.
A Chapel Hill support group can give advice on software programs and computers in general. For more information, contact:
Herb Halbrecht (919-969-1573)
Arthur Clark ()
John Logan (919-957-4247)
Lauren Tappan (919-929-5256)
For additional information contact:
North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind
866-222-1546
www.dhhs.state.nc.us.dsb
The National Eye Institute
301-496-5248
www.nei.nih.gov
Foundation for Fighting Blindness
919-785-2866
www.blindness.org
State visual impairment support counselors:
Durham County: Etta Brim 919-560-8639
Stephen Loney 919-560-8633
Orange County: Stephen Loney 919-245-2876
Wake County: Ola Bennett 919-856-5517
Tacarra Sharee Jones 919-856-5489
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