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Information About Low Vision

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     There are some types of eye conditions that cannot be corrected with standard eye glasses. Many times patients with these types of conditions are not aware of Low Vision Technology. Through Low Vision Clinics a patient can find prescriptive magnification aids that can enhance existing vision. These aids may include a handheld or stand magnifier, a monocular, a special pair of glasses or an attachment to glasses or perhaps even a closed circuit television system. Costs of t hese aids may vary from a few dollars to several thousand. Sometimes vision can be enhanced by special lights or reading stands. Initially the use of these aids may be rather difficult or troublesome to the users, but with training and practice, a whole new world can open up. An altavista search (http://www.altavista.com) reveals over 8,000 references including clinics, producers of products, distributors and basic information. If you are looking for a low vision clinic near you, please refer to the list of State Vocational Rehabilitation Programs (http://www.blind.msstate.edu/irr/ncsab.html) on this database. They will have information about clinics in y our area. If you are looking for specific aids, there are several mail order catalog companies listed here that can assist you. If you have never used aids, it is recommended that you go through a clinic so that you can get the aids that is especially right for you. There are many, different kinds of aids.

     There is a lot of variability in magnifiers. The larger the magnifier, usually the less powerful. Those inexpensive ones bought in drug stores and variety stores are usually not very powerful and may have some distortion th at can cause eye fatigue. Generally, the more powerful a magnifier, the smaller the area viewed. For someone needing a reading aid, this may mean that with a really powerful magnifier, he/she may only see a few letters in a word. With less power, the r eader can still see the whole word.

     There is a career specialty in vision-related rehabilitation of Low Vision Clinician. Certification is through the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (http://www.aerbvi.org/). These professionals work with optometrists and ophthalmologists to provide support to persons learning to use low vision aids.

     Some states have passed laws allowing individuals with corrected vision between 20/70 and 20/200 to obtain driver's licenses. Laws vary from state to state and usually require extensive training and some restrictions. Train ing is in the areas of low vision and driver's education. This practice is sometimes referred to as Bioptic Driving. Bioptics are long distance aids that attach to the glasses and allow an driver to see further down the road. Not all low vision drivers require bioptics, but special techniques are essential to safe driving. Training can be expensive and not all persons are good candidates. Links appear below.

General Information and Resources

Blindness Resource Center - Low Vision Resources
URL: http://www.nyise.org/lowvision.htm

Help Me See: A Low Vision Site
URL: http://www.helpmesee.net

Low Vision Gateway
URL: http://www.lowvision.org

Low Vision News (Germany)
URL: http://www.reineckerreha.de/englisch/LowVision_News_01_2003.pdf

Low Vision Resource List (NFB)
URL:http://www.nei.nih.gov/index.asp

National Association of the Visually Handicapped
URL: http://www.navh.org

Computer Access/ Low Vision Computer Resources
URL: http://www.blind.msstate.edu/irr/lwvision.html

Vision Connection
URL: http://www.visionconnection.orgl

Bioptic Driving

BiOptic Driving Network
URL: http://www.biopticdriving.org

Albinism and Driving - Consideration in Deciding whether or NOT to Drive
URL: http://www.albinism.org/publications/driving.html

Information about Bioptic Driving
URL: http://www.eyeassociates.com/bioptic.htm

Bioptic Driving Links
URL: http://www.eyeassociates.com/other.htm

Driving and Low Vision
URL: http://lowvision.org/driving_issues_and_visual_impair.htm

Catalog Companies

Ann Morris Enterprises
URL: http://www.annmorris.com/

Independent Living Aids
URL: http://www.independentliving.com/

L. S. & S. Group: Specializing in Products for the Visually Impaired
URL: http://www.lssgroup.com/

MaxiAids Independent Living Aids for Home and Work
URL: http://www.maxiaids.com/

Books and Information

(Prices listed from http://www.amazon.com 1999)
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Last Modified: Tuesday, February 3, 2009 9:28 AM
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