Low Vision FAQs from your Charlotte Optometrist

Low vision is defined as poor eyesight that severely inhibits everyday life. Low vision cannot be corrected with typical methods, such as glasses, contacts, eye surgery or medicine. However, there are many treatments and tools our Charlotte eye doctor can offer to help patients with low vision regain their independence and improve the quality of life. For more details, consult our frequently asked questions:

What causes low vision?

Low vision can come about from medical conditions like:

• Glaucoma
• Macular degeneration
• Retinitis pigmentosa
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Tumors
• Head injuries
• And other causes

How do you diagnose low vision in Charlotte NC?

Our doctor in Charlotte conducts eye tests, including visual acuity (vision sharpness) testing with an eye chart to diagnose and evaluate your low vision condition. Your optometrist also looks for any limitations or abnormalities in your field of vision. People with low vision may have peripheral vision loss, where they can only see what is in front of them (tunnel vision). In some cases, one-half or one-quarter of the visual field is lost, in conditions known as hemianopsias and quadrantanopia, or their may be dark spots (scotomas) in various places within the visual field.

What optometry treatment options can help low vision?

Options to improve low vision include vision rehabilitation training and/or a variety of different vision-enhancing tools/devices. Your Charlotte optometrist will work with you to select the best low vision treatment options for your individual needs. Each patient’s low vision is unique and what works for one patient may not work well for the next. 

What is vision rehabilitation?

Vision rehabilitation training involves eye exercises and supervised tasks to improve scanning ability, refocusing from far to near (or near to far) objects, reaction time and more. Our optometry experts will also train you how to use your low vision optical aids properly, help you practice using them safely and effectively.

What optical aids can help people with low vision?

Your optometrist in Charlotte may have you try low vision assistance devices like:

• Hand held magnifiers
• Contrast-enhancing glasses (blue-blockers).
• Video magnifiers (CCTV or closed circuit television).
• Spectacle microscopes (with one clear lens) to allow monocular vision for close-up tasks like reading.
• Bioptics (small telescopes or prisms incorporated into or stuck on eyeglass lenses, or attached above the frames) for better distance vision.
• And more.

Get Help for Your Low Vision at our Optometry Practice in Charlotte NC

There are many ways our optometrist in Charlotte can help you see better with low vision. At University Eye Associates, we will work to help you maximize your vision and help you regain the independence to perform daily tasks on your own. To find out which low vision treatments are right for you, contact us for an eye exam and low vision evaluation today.