Low Vision

Low Vision is a term used to identify individuals whose vision cannot be corrected to 20/20 with conventional spectacles or contact lenses. Individuals who are categorized as visually impaired have best corrected visual acuity of 20/70 to 20/100. Individuals who are categorized as legally blind have best corrected vision of 20/200 or worse. For example if a person has best corrected vision of 20/100 that person can see a letter on an examination chart that is 20/100 in size at only 20 feet where a person with 20/20 vision can see a 20/100 letter at 100 feet.

Disorders and/or diseases that can result in a person having low vision (blurred vision) can be congenital or acquired. Many congenital disorders affecting vision are hereditary. The most common hereditary congenital disorders are optic atrophy and cataracts. Other hereditary diseases that affect an individuals vision in their first or second decade of life are Bests disease, Stargardts disease, and Retinitis Pigmentosa. Most individuals with blurred vision have an acquired disease. The most common acquired diseases that can cause vision loss are Age Related Macular Degeneration, Diabetes, and Glaucoma.

A low vision examination is generally provided by an optometrist who has the knowledge and necessary diagnostic equipment to both evaluate and offer treatment plans to individuals who are visually impaired or legally blind. Prior to the actual low vision appointment the low vision provider generally requests a vision report from the referring doctor detailing the reason for the low vision consultation. Next, the patient is sent a questionnaire which ultimately provides the low vision practitioner more information about the patient's description of their vision loss and visual goals. The low vision provider's responsibilities are to improve the patient's vision using devices that magnify images at distance, near or both.

Low vision devices are designed to magnify images so individuals who are visually impaired may have the opportunity to read normal size printed materials such as the local newspaper. Low vision devices are also called magnifiers or aids. Magnifiers can be designed as handheld, spectacle mounted or electro-optical. The low vision provider's goal is to show a person who is visually impaired that they can get improved vision at either distance or near using devices that magnify.

The clinic is on the first floor at the Michigan College of Optometry on the campus of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. The Vision Rehabilitation clinic is equipped with the best handheld, spectacle mounted and electro-optical devices that are available. The clinic also has a stock of devices that a patient may borrow following the initial appointment at the University Eye Center at MCO.

To schedule a low vision appointment please call (231)-591-2020.