| Correcting Vision Problems Requires the Help of a | | | | there are several types of treatment that he or |
| Low Vision Specialist | | | | she could suggest. The good news is that macular |
| It is vital that everyone get regular eye | | | | degeneration does not usually cause complete |
| examinations in order to insure good eye health, | | | | blindness. The lessened vision is localized to |
| and this is particularly true of adults aged fifty and | | | | approximately thirty percent of the total vision |
| older. Older adults are more at risk for developing | | | | field, in the central part of the field. The other |
| macular degeneration. The result of macular | | | | seventy percent of the vision field, located in the |
| degeneration is a loss of central vision, although | | | | peripheral vision around the center of the eye, is |
| peripheral vision usually remains intact. If you have | | | | often unaffected and perfectly able to function at |
| macular degeneration, you will want to have | | | | normal levels. Central vision, however, is crucial to |
| regular eye examinations by a low vision doctor, | | | | several important tasks, such as reading and |
| who can recommend appropriate treatment | | | | driving. The macula controls the detail vision that |
| suitable for correcting vision problems that you | | | | allows for these activities. |
| may be experiencing. | | | | Many people find that low vision aids [ including low |
| How Does a Low Vision Doctor Go About | | | | vision magnifiers, are extremely helpful in |
| Correcting Vision Problems Related to Macular | | | | correcting vision problems associated with macular |
| Degeneration? | | | | degeneration. Low vision magnifiers can be used |
| The first step a low vision specialist will take is to | | | | as an aid for the all-important activity of reading. |
| assess the symptoms you are exhibiting. Blurred | | | | Magnifiers can come in simple hand- held models, |
| vision is one of the most common symptoms, | | | | as well as types that rest on the arm. Other |
| with a lessening of visual acuity in the central field | | | | magnifiers can be attached to glasses, so that |
| of vision. Depending on the type, vision loss could | | | | you can use the magnifier when you need it for |
| be gradual or rapid. Another symptom is that | | | | detail work, and then flip it out of the way when |
| when you look at a grid of straight lines, the lines | | | | you are doing mid- and far-range vision activities. |
| appear wavy, or portions of the lines are not | | | | There are other low vision aids, such as bioptic |
| visible at all. Sometimes patients find it difficult to | | | | lenses, that can be helpful in correcting vision |
| tell the difference between two dark colors or | | | | problems associated with macular degeneration. |
| two light colors. | | | | Check with your doctor to determine which types |
| If, after a complete eye examination, the doctor | | | | of aids would be best for your needs. |
| determines that you have macular degeneration, | | | | |