How To Get Help Dealing With Low Vision

Monday, March 1, 2010

(NAPSA)—There could be good news for many people with poor vision and those whocare for and about them: There are medical experts specially trained and equipped to help lighten their problem. These are optometrists (eye doctors) who have special training in working with patients who suffer from macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa and other similar diseases that lead to very poor vision that can’t be corrected with regular glasses. The Problem For many of their patients, the condition can take away the ability to do such normal, daily activities as reading, watching TV, driving, cooking andso on becauseit so severely impairs the ability to see. Often, the underlying condition is inoperable and has no cure. The Solutions What the low-vision doctors can do is try to get their patients to see better with the help of hightech prescription glasses. In addition, they may be able to stop or at least slow the progress of the disease with a vitamin and nutrition regimen, including lots of fish, nuts, fruit and vegetables. The Experts The doctors who are membersof the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS) must take over 40 hours a year of extra training, publish research and keep current with all the latest technologies in low-vision care, so they truly have an expertise in the discipline. Some of them have a general eye care practice as well. Dr. Errol Rummel, Joel Cohen and the Seeing Eye dog he no longer needs so much nowthat Dr. Rummel designed special glasses. The Patients Movie star Jane Russell, who suffers from macular degenera- tion, got help from IALVS founder Dr. Richard Shuldiner. He pre- scribed telescopic glasses so she could read books and newspapers and watch TV. “Ms. Russell also uses them to read scripts and music, as shestill performsin live productions,” says Dr. Shuldiner. “Dr. Shuldiner has made it very easy for me to continue my activities both home and away with these glasses,” says Russell. “The glasses may not look pretty but they are beautiful to me.” Similarly, noted attorney Joel Cohen was dependent on a Seeing Eye dog until his IALVS optometrist custom designed special glasses unique to Cohen’s condition. Learn More To learn more or find a nearby low-vision optometrist, visit www.ialvs.com or call (888) 778-2030.

--- PHOTOS ---

File: 20190801-010855-20190801-010853-78697.pdf.jpg

--- FILES ---

File: 20190801-010853-78697.pdf