Help for Michigan Residents with Low Vision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
The Michigan Optometric Association
O: 517.482.0616

Help for Michigan Residents with Low Vision

More than 100,000 Michigan residents age 40 and older experience low vision – a visual impairment that leaves many with mild to severe loss of sight, yet not totally blind. This figure does not even include the thousands of children and young people born with vision impairment. Doctors of optometry from the Michigan Optometric Association recommend that citizens of any age who experience low vision symptoms see an optometrist for an eye examination to determine the best rehabilitation plan to enhance their remaining vision.

Low vision is a general term for many types of vision impairment from conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, stroke and corneal dystrophies. Possible symptoms include:

Blurry vision that is not helped with regular eyeglasses.
Loss of central vision or side vision.
Hazy vision and contrast difficulties.
Light sensitivity.
Night blindness and/or color vision deficiencies.

According to the second annual American Eye-Q ® survey conducted in 2007 by the American Optometric Association, consumers value their eyesight more than their memories or ability to walk. The survey showed that 47% of Americans lack knowledge about eye health and vision care. This contributes to feelings of anxiety when vision loss occurs. A low vision examination can help affected individuals to understand the unique nature of the condition and learn about constructive ways to compensate in order to continue activities of daily living.

“Very few people suffer from complete loss of vision, however, a growing number suffer from mild to moderate vision loss that threatens their driving privileges or impairs their ability to read small print,” says John E Kaminski OD, FAAO, Chair, MOA Low Vision Committee. “Thanks to recent developments in the field of low vision rehabilitation, we are able to help people to increase vision abilities and learn new skills promoting independence and improved quality of life.”

Common low vision treatment options include:

Special modifications to eyeglasses – extra strong bifocal powers, contrast enhancing tints, prisms and other optical properties.
Telescope and microscope magnification – Miniature telescopes and magnifiers that are mounted on eyeglasses for enlarged distance or near view
Hand held telescopes and magnifiers – these devices work as a system with best glasses to enhance vision for short term tasks at distance and near. Some of the magnifiers have special illumination to enhance clarity and print contrast
Electronic vision enhancement systems – Table top, portable or head-mounted closed circuit television (CCTV) or digital magnification systems allow image enlargement, contrast and brightness adjustment for long term reading tasks.
Vision rehabilitation therapy – ensures that adaptive equipment prescribed is integrated effectively for activities of daily living. New techniques and environmental modifications can help one with vision impairment to compensate efficiently. Low vision practitioners often work with allied professionals in the field of vision rehabilitation who contribute to therapeutic treatment plans.
Additional resources include – access to large print and audio literature, talking watches and glucometers and other assistive products. As part of the low vision examination, patients may be referred to state and private resources such as Michigan Commission for the Blind, Michigan Rehabilitation Service, Michigan Library for the Blind and other agencies and services when appropriate.

In addition to quality-of-life issues, citizens who don’t address vision impairment represent a significant burden to the national economy due to lack of employment, under-employment and early admission to nursing home settings. It is estimated that vision impairment issues cost the federal government more than four billion dollars annually in benefits and lost taxable income. “This statistic is compelling and serves to motivate doctors of optometry to do as much as they can to address low vision issues, helping people to maximize their potential in their particular walk of life,” says Dr. Kaminski.

People experiencing low vision should see an optometrist for a comprehensive eye examination analyzing vision function. The optometrist may prescribe and provide low vision strategies that address patient goals or may refer to a colleague who emphasizes low vision care in his/her practice. The American Optometric Association Low Vision Rehabilitation Section www.aoa.org and the Michigan Optometric Association www.themoa.org have listings of optometrists who emphasize low vision rehabilitation.

Doctors of optometry are independent primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases of the visual system and the eye. Optometrists provide more than two-thirds of the primary eye care services in the United States. They are widely distributed geographically and are readily accessible for the delivery of eye and vision care services.

To locate a Michigan Optometric Association doctor, including those who provided low vision services, please visit www.themoa.org and click the Vision Care tab.

[Editor’s note: To schedule an interview with MOA member and certified low vision specialist, Dr. John E. Kaminski, OD, FAAO; please contact Rita Sitto at (313) 567-5008.]

About the Michigan Optometric Association
The mission of the Michigan Optometric Association is to unite all licensed optometrists and be the representative voice for the profession of optometry in Michigan. The association provides education, information and other member services to assist optometrists in practicing successfully in accordance with the highest standards of patient care; works to advance the quality and accessibility of optometric services throughout the state and seeks to ensure the recognition of optometrists as the primary providers of vision and related eye health care.

About the American Eye-Q® Survey:
The second American Eye-Q® survey was commissioned by Opinion Research Corporation (ORC). Using a random digit dialing methodology, ORC conducted interviews with 1,000 Americans 18 years and older who embodied a nationally representative sample of U.S. households. The margin of error is ±3.1 percent for the general population. All data is weighted to represent the U.S. general populations with respect to gender, geographic region, and age group.

Media Center