Many people suffer a loss of sight which limits
their ability to perform activities the rest of us take for granted,
such as reading the newspaper, paying bills or watching television.
Fortunately, help is available for many of these people with
special training and adaptation using magnification aids.
Dr. Susan Quinn is among a handful of specialists
statewide to offer this vital expertise. Dr Quinn has provided
these special
evaluations in a private practice setting for over 20 years. She
has served as a clinical instructor at the Ohio State University
Vision Rehabilitation Clinic for 8 years. Dr. Susan Quinn is a
charter member of the Athens Chapter of the National Federation
of the Blind. She has given numerous presentations to the public
and optometric audiences on common causes of visual impairment
as well as adaptive prescriptions for the visually impaired. Dr.
Susan Quinn maintains referral relationships with many area agencies
that provide complementary help, training and support for those
with low vision. While many of Dr. Susan’s low vision patients
are elderly, she also cares for children with vision impairments
and works with educators to insure these youngsters have the special
adaptive prescriptions necessary to progress in school.
What is Low Vision?
Low vision means that even with regular
glasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery, people find everyday
tasks difficult to
do. Seeing to read the mail, shopping, cooking, and watching
TV and writing can seem challenging.
Millions of Americans lose
some of their vision every year. Irreversible vision loss is
most common among people over age 65. The most common causes
of low
vision among the elderly are age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), glaucoma
and diabetic retinopathy.
In medical-legal terms, low vision includes two
groups of individuals. Those with vision less than 20/70 in
their better eye with prescription
lenses are
considered “visually impaired”. Those with vision less that 20/200
in their better eye with prescription lenses are considered “legally
blind”. It’s important not to confuse being legally blind with
total lack of vision---or literal blindness. Those who qualify as legally
blind cannot see well enough to read print or appreciate detail but may still
have
adequate vision for ordinary activities, such as washing dishes or taking
a walk.
If a person’s vision loss qualifies them
as visually impaired or legally blind, they are eligible for
special rehabilitation
services and prescriptions
through state and federal monies as well as certain tax breaks.
What can be done for those with Low Vision?
Few of us can imagine the trauma of experiencing irreversible
vision loss. But for the millions of Americans who have, many
of them have messages of hope to share with others.
After the initial shock and despair vision loss, many people set about undergoing
training and counseling to maintain their independence. This is the process
of vision rehabilitation. While vision rehabilitation cannot restore lost sight,
it can maximize any existing sight or, if the individual has no vision, it
can equip them with techniques to maintain an independent lifestyle. Vision
rehabilitation can enable people to cope with vision loss, travel safety, take
care of their home, meet career objectives and enjoy leisure activities. In
short, it can help one continue to do the things one likes to do.
What is a low vision evaluation?
Dr. Susan Quinn’s vision rehabilitation service, also called a low vision
evaluation, is a three-part evaluation with the following framework:
First visit - Comprehensive history, lifestyle
and goal analysis, visual acuity testing (which includes distance
and near acuities,
as well as contrast sensitivity
acuity), refraction, binocular testing and central and peripheral visual
field testing, fixation analysis. Of particular importance is
the determination of
primary visual goals. These visual goals are usually activities that the
patient feels are key to their independence and quality of life.
Perhaps they’ve
always enjoyed playing bridge with friends and find they can no longer see
the playing cards. Perhaps they live alone and must continue to see to manage
their personal finances.
Second Visit - During the second visit, acuities
may be re-evaluated and verified and more in-depth visual skills
testing may also be performed. However, most
of the time will be devoted to determining tentative optical devices that
will address the previously identified needs established at
the first visit. In-office
training will help the patient learn how to use the device(s). Typically
a loan period is arranged for one to two weeks to allow the
patient to use this
device at home to determine its suitability.
Third Visit - At this visit, the loaned aids
are returned and final prescriptions are determined. Any fitting
for glasses or
prescription lenses generally
happens at this visit. Referrals on to other agencies, when appropriate,
would be made
at this visit as well. A final report with all the details of the evaluation
is sent to the primary referring physician. Copies of the report can
also be sent to family members or other parties at the patient’s
request.
Relevant Links:
National Federation of the Blind - www.nfb.org
MD Support Group - www.mdsupport.com
Lighthouse International - www.lighthouse.org
Diabetes Group - www.diabetes.org
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