by Connie McMullen
Low-Vision
Computer magnified reading
Over 15 million Americans have some form of visual impairment. Additionally, a survey sponsored by the National Eye Institute, the National Institutes of Health and the Lions Clubs International Federation says most Americans do not know the risks and warning signs of diseases that could blind them if they don't seek timely detection and treatment.
According to findings of the Survey of Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Eye Health and Disease, Seventy-one percent of respondents reported that a loss of their eyesight would rate as a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10, meaning that it would have the greatest impact on their day-to-day life. However, only eight percent knew that there are no early warning signs of glaucoma, a condition that can damage the eye's optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness.
portable CCTV reading device can
be used at restaurants to read the menu.
Fifty-one percent said that they have heard that people with diabetes are at increased risk of developing eye disease, but only 11 percent knew that there are usually no early warning signs. Only 16 percent had ever heard the term "low vision," which affects millions of Americans. Low vision is vision loss that standard eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery cannot correct, making everyday tasks difficult to do. Simple tasks like reading the mail, watching TV, shopping, cooking, and writing become challenging.
Reno Optometrist, Richard F. Meier, FCOVD, specializes in low-vision equipment designed to assist people with vision loss. Meier's office carries numerous low-vision options ranging from hand held magnifiers to more advanced bioptic telescopes mounted on eye glasses, to more advanced computer magnified reading devices. Dr. Meier says when an individuals eyesight cannot be corrected to better than 20 / 200 with lenses, then they are diagnosed as having lowvision.
He says many are told nothing can be done, but while there is no cure for some eye conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and genetic disease, there are low-vision systems that can help with everyday activities.
“Six to 10 percent of the population has low-vision or is legally blind,” said Meier. The thing I ask a patient is, “what do you want to do with your life.” Some people want to just read the newspaper, while others want to sew, cook, or e-mail letters.
Fifty-year-old Tim Lietz , Reno, had been loosing central vision in one eye when suddenly while on a trip with his buddies, vision went out in the other eye.
Tim Lietz, 50, practices reading with
the bioptic telescope mounted to a
pair of eye glasses at Dr. Meier's office.
A former U.S. Marine and employee of the Department of Corrections, Tim found himself undergoing a major life change as a result. Surrendering his drivers license in fear he'd run someone over and modifying his daily activities with the help of his wife, Dawn, coping with vision loss has been frustrating and at times an emotional experience. Dawn, 44, immediately found herself Tim's caregiver, helping him to adjust and making the best of things he could do. Tim's background taught him not to give up. A patient of Dr. Meier's, he is learning to read using the bioptic telescope.
To learn more about lowvision, contact Dr. Meier at (775) 829-7918 or visit: www.theeyeguy.com. For the full survey report, visit: www.nei.nih.gov/nehep/kap.