What is Low Vision?
What Causes Low Vision?
What is a Low Vision Specialist?
How is a Low Vision Exam Different?
What is the Free Telephone Consultation?
How much will this cost?
When do I get my glasses?
How do I know the glasses will work after I get them?
What if my vision changes after I get the glasses?
Can't I just buy a hand magnifier?
Where can I get more information regarding macular degeneration?
What Eye Hospital should I go to?
What is Low Vision?
Low vision is when your best corrected vision (with conventional glasses, contact lenses, LASIK, or cataract surgery) is reduced to the point of interfering with the tasks you want to do.
There are two variables in the definition: Vision and Task.
Vision may be reduced from medical (e.g., ARMD, glaucoma, stroke), congenital (e.g., albinism, nystagmus) or traumatic causes (head injury, eye injury, etc).
Tasks may include regular everyday activities like reading, writing, driving, or watching television. Tasks may also include specialized activities relating to occupation or recreation.
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What Causes Low Vision?
Medical conditions can cause reduced vision. The leading causes are macular degeneration (ARMD), diabetic retinopathy, inoperable cataracts, glaucoma, stroke.
The low vision specialty eye doctor does not replace your regular eye doctor but works with the other eye doctor as part of the team to help you use the vision that you have in the best way possible.
A low vision eye doctor has compassion and empathy for what the patient and family are going through as well as the knowledge, resources and experience to help them adjust to the difficult situation.
Dr. Huggett, who practices the low vision specialty, has has extensive training in low vision at the University of Houston, Houston TX, the Lighthouse of Houston, Houston, TX, Lighthouse International in Manhattan, NY and in Corona, CA under RIchard Shuldiner, OD, FAAO of the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists.
Dr. Huggett only accepts patients he believes he can help and uses the highest quality, state-of-the-art telescopic, microscope, and prismatic magnifying eyeglasses as the primary means of helping the patient.
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What is a Low Vision Specialist?
A low vision specialist understands high-powered optics and magnification plus has working knowledge of the multitude of special glasses, magnifiers, electronic and non-optical low vision devices that can help those with reduced vision. A low vision eye doctor understands how to work with patients and families who can be extremely upset, fearful, and even depressed. It's a doctor who has the patience and time to explain the eye and vision condition and what the future may hold to patients who may be confused, misinformed and/or have an unrealistic view of their future.
The low vision specialty eye doctor does not replace your regular eye doctor but works with the other eye doctor as part of the team to help you use the vision that you have in the best way possible.
A low vision eye doctor has compassion and empathy for what the patient and family are going through as well as the knowledge, resources and experience to help them adjust to the difficult situation.
Dr. Huggett, who practices the low vision specialty, has has extensive training in low vision at the University of Houston, Houston TX, the Lighthouse of Houston, Houston, TX, Lighthouse International in Manhattan, NY and in Corona, CA under RIchard Shuldiner, OD, FAAO of the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists.
Dr. Huggett only accepts patients he believes he can help and uses the highest quality, state-of-the-art telescopic, microscope, and prismatic magnifying eyeglasses as the primary means of helping the patient.
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How is a Low Vision Exam Different?
A low vision examination is quite different from a regular eye exam. It is a longer examination usually lasting one hour or more. It is a "vision and function" examination, therefore medical testing like dilation is usually omitted when possible.
The first part of the low vision examination is conversing with the patient to find out how the reduced vision is affecting their life. The "wish list" is created so the doctor understands what the patients' goals are.
The second part is extensive vision testing. The doctor uses low vision eye charts rather than the regular Snellen "E" chart to measure the level of vision. Careful refraction is performed to find out if a new "regular" eyeglass prescription will help and to determine the basic focusing of the eyes.
Part three works with magnification, illumination and other optical and non-optical low vision devices. The doctor must determine the best form and level of magnification needed for the person to perform the desired tasks. Telescopes, microscopes, and prisms, with varying levels of magnification and strength as well as other magnification devices are presented to the patient. Illumination levels must be determined as lighting plays a major role in vision.
Part four is another conversation with the patient to determine the best from and level of magnification for that particular persons' task requirements.
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What is Low Vision?
Low vision is when your best corrected vision (with conventional glasses, contact lenses, LASIK, or cataract surgery) is reduced to the point of interfering with the tasks you want to do.
There are two variables in the definition: Vision and Task.
Vision may be reduced from medical (e.g., ARMD, glaucoma, stroke), congenital (e.g., albinism, nystagmus) or traumatic causes (head injury, eye injury, etc).
Tasks may include regular everyday activities like reading, writing, driving, or watching television. Tasks may also include specialized activities relating to occupation or recreation.
Back To Top
What is Low Vision?
Low vision is when your best corrected vision (with conventional glasses, contact lenses, LASIK, or cataract surgery) is reduced to the point of interfering with the tasks you want to do.
There are two variables in the definition: Vision and Task.
Vision may be reduced from medical (e.g., ARMD, glaucoma, stroke), congenital (e.g., albinism, nystagmus) or traumatic causes (head injury, eye injury, etc).
Tasks may include regular everyday activities like reading, writing, driving, or watching television. Tasks may also include specialized activities relating to occupation or recreation.
Back To Top
What is Low Vision?
Low vision is when your best corrected vision (with conventional glasses, contact lenses, LASIK, or cataract surgery) is reduced to the point of interfering with the tasks you want to do.
There are two variables in the definition: Vision and Task.
Vision may be reduced from medical (e.g., ARMD, glaucoma, stroke), congenital (e.g., albinism, nystagmus) or traumatic causes (head injury, eye injury, etc).
Tasks may include regular everyday activities like reading, writing, driving, or watching television. Tasks may also include specialized activities relating to occupation or recreation.
Back To Top
What is Low Vision?
Low vision is when your best corrected vision (with conventional glasses, contact lenses, LASIK, or cataract surgery) is reduced to the point of interfering with the tasks you want to do.
There are two variables in the definition: Vision and Task.
Vision may be reduced from medical (e.g., ARMD, glaucoma, stroke), congenital (e.g., albinism, nystagmus) or traumatic causes (head injury, eye injury, etc).
Tasks may include regular everyday activities like reading, writing, driving, or watching television. Tasks may also include specialized activities relating to occupation or recreation.
Back To Top
What is Low Vision?
Low vision is when your best corrected vision (with conventional glasses, contact lenses, LASIK, or cataract surgery) is reduced to the point of interfering with the tasks you want to do.
There are two variables in the definition: Vision and Task.
Vision may be reduced from medical (e.g., ARMD, glaucoma, stroke), congenital (e.g., albinism, nystagmus) or traumatic causes (head injury, eye injury, etc).
Tasks may include regular everyday activities like reading, writing, driving, or watching television. Tasks may also include specialized activities relating to occupation or recreation.
Back To Top
What is Low Vision?
Low vision is when your best corrected vision (with conventional glasses, contact lenses, LASIK, or cataract surgery) is reduced to the point of interfering with the tasks you want to do.
There are two variables in the definition: Vision and Task.
Vision may be reduced from medical (e.g., ARMD, glaucoma, stroke), congenital (e.g., albinism, nystagmus) or traumatic causes (head injury, eye injury, etc).
Tasks may include regular everyday activities like reading, writing, driving, or watching television. Tasks may also include specialized activities relating to occupation or recreation.
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What Eye Hospital should I go to?
The U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals rankings cover 170 hospitals.
In Florida we have the number one rated eye hospital, the public Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
www.bascompalmer.org
Additionally, St. Luke's Cataract and Laser Institute, a private eye hospital with an international reputation that is unmatched.
www.StLukesCataract.com
Serving patients from 77 countries for over 40 years.Back To Top
Where can I get more information regarding macular degeneration?
The best centralized location with the latest information regarding macular degeneration is
found at www.mdsupport.org.
Here you will find the latest news and the link to the International Macular Degeneration Support Group (IMDSG) www.mdsupport.org/nsg.html which holds a monthly live presentation.
This presentation is recorded and is available to watch. There is no cost for this service.
This service is supported by MD Support www.mdsupport.org,
MD Foundation www.amd.org,
and Macular Degeneration Research www.ahaf.org/macular
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