Low Vision
Treatment for Low Vision in Tucson
For most people, everyday activities like reading a book, selecting items from the fridge, or looking at photos are something that we don’t think twice about. However, if you have low vision, these simple activities may be out of reach. Living with low vision, you may lose your sense of independence and experience a reduced quality of life. Dr. Kimberly Duong at Arizona Eye Consultants is passionate about restoring her patients’ quality of life with vision rehabilitation for visually impaired and legally blind individuals in Tucson.
Understanding Low Vision
Low vision is defined as visual impairment that’s not correctable by standard treatments like glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery. About 2.2 billion people worldwide are visually impaired, and nearly half of those cases are preventable.
Low vision is different from legal blindness, and you do not have to be legally blind to be diagnosed with low vision. Most insurance policies including Medicare define low vision as having 20/70 vision or worse in their better seeing eye, while legal blindness is classified as 20/100 vision or worse in the better seeing eye or a visual field diameter of 20 degrees or less. If you are legally blind, you may qualify for vocational training, rehabilitation, Social Security benefits, disability benefits, housing assistance, IRS tax exemptions, and other social services.
There are many potential causes for low vision, including:
- Macular degeneration
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
An estimated 3.2 million Americans have some level of visual impairment, and 1 million are considered legally blind. These numbers are expected to double by 2050, but you don’t have to simply live with visual impairment. Arizona Eye Consultants can provide the specialized care you need to regain your independence and improve your quality of life.
Do You Need a Low Vision Evaluation?
Low vision evaluations are not the same as routine eye examinations. These are longer, specialized visits tailored to a patient’s unique goals. Low vision is not correctable with standard treatments like glasses and surgery, but low vision evaluations can provide patients access to specialized treatment devices and rehabilitative therapies that suit their goals.
During a low vision evaluation, you’ll receive care based on your visual status and unique goals. You may try out different devices to assist you with daily tasks, and you may undergo trial frame refraction, which can help identify appropriate glasses, magnifiers, and other devices that will be useful for you.
Low vision evaluations are long and complex procedures, but they are not needed annually like typical eye exams. Insurance may not cover devices recommended during a low vision evaluation, so it is essential to schedule this visit to gain an understanding of which devices will be most beneficial and worth incorporating into your daily routines.
Schedule an Appointment With Dr. Duong Today
Dr. Kimberly Duong developed an interest in helping patients with low vision after providing vision rehabilitation to legally blind and visually impaired veterans at the Southwestern Blind Rehabilitation Center in Tucson, AZ. During this time, she worked as part of an interdisciplinary team that reviewed and assessed patients’ ocular health through low vision device evaluations and training. She was able to offer hope to patients struggling with low vision who never thought it would be possible to participate in the activities they used to love and enjoy. At Arizona Eye Consultants, Dr. Duong continues to inspire hope in patients with low vision and loves having the opportunity to improve their lives for the better with innovative treatment solutions and assistive devices.
