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“There is life after vision loss.”

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Low Vision Treatments

Macular Degeneration Treatments

Evaluations

Evlauation drop shadow

The beginning point is always an individualized, preventative, comprehensive eye health examination. If AMD is suspected, other tests may be performed.

Visual Field Testing – Sophisticated central visual field testing can show loss of central vision sensitivity even though visual acuity may not be affected.

Treatments

As of now, there’s no treatment for dry macular degeneration. However, there are many clinical trials in progress. If your condition is diagnosed early, you can take steps to help slow its progression, such as taking vitamin supplements, eating healthfully and not smoking.

Low vision rehabilitation – Age-related macular degeneration doesn’t affect your side (peripheral) vision and usually doesn’t cause total blindness. But it can reduce or eliminate your central vision — which is necessary for driving an automobile, reading and recognizing people’s faces. It may be beneficial for you to work with a low vision rehabilitation specialist, occupational therapist, your eye doctor and others trained in low vision rehabilitation. They can help you find ways to adapt to your changing vision.

Visual Aides – Due to the advances in technology, there are a number of options available that will help improve your vision.

Nutrients – A recent study (AREDS 2) showed the effectivity of several nutrients but especially the two pigments, Zeaxanthin and Lutein. These two nutrients are present in food and can increase the pigment when eaten in large enough quantities. However, the fastest way to increase the macular pigment is through OTC (over the counter) Eye Vitamins available at your local drug store or online.

Visual Aides – Due to the advances in technology, there are a number of options available that will help improve your vision such as special glasses.

Glasses recommended for Macular Degeneration are:

Hemianopsia Vision Loss Treatment

The treatment for Hemianopsia is to expand the field of vision. Visual field expansion is done with eyeglasses containing lenses with high powered prisms and/or vision rehabilitation such as NOVA Vision (http://www.novavision.com/).

NOVA Vision is a vision rehabilitation system that takes advantage of the brain’s ability to “rewire” itself. This ability is known as neural plasticity. Whether rehabilitation is provided with prism glasses or NOVA Vision a low vision examination will provide you with the answers to hemianopsia vision loss.

Eyeglasses with high powered prisms are prescribed and even before purchase the person with the vision loss is able to try them to see if they work. The lenses with prisms appear almost normal and can be placed into any standard eyeglass frame. In many cases, the field of vision can be expanded enough to allow for driving again and for safer mobility.

Glasses recommended for Hemianopsia are:

Glaucoma Vision Loss Treatment

Treatment of open-angle glaucoma — the most common form of the disease — requires lowering the eye’s pressure by increasing the drainage of aqueous humor fluid or decreasing the production of that fluid. Medications can accomplish both of these goals. Surgery and laser treatments are directed at improving the eye’s aqueous drainage.

If not diagnosed early, open-angle glaucoma may significantly damage vision and even cause blindness. That is why it’s so important to have your eye doctor test you regularly for glaucoma. Once diagnosed, glaucoma is usually controlled with eye drops that reduce eye pressure. Glaucoma is a life-long condition and needs continual follow-up with your eye doctor.

Glasses Recommended for Glaucoma are:

Diabetic Vision Loss Treatment

Vision loss caused by diabetes doesn’t mean giving up on your life activities, it just means learning new ways to do them. Your treatment will depend on what kind of retinopathy you have and how severe it is. Dr. Huggett and his team will work with you to maximize your remaining vision by doing an evaluation.

In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, your eye doctor will probably just keep track of how your eyes are doing. Some people with diabetic retinopathy may need a comprehensive dilated eye exam as often as every 2 to 4 months.

In later stages, it’s important to start treatment right away — especially if you have changes in your vision. While it won’t undo any damage to your vision, treatment can stop your vision from getting worse. It’s also important to take steps to control your diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Controlling Blood Sugar. Controlling your blood sugar and blood pressure can stop vision loss. Carefully follow the diet your nutritionist has recommended. Take the medicine your diabetes doctor prescribed for you.

Injections. Medicines called anti-VEGF drugs can slow down or reverse diabetic retinopathy. Other medicines, called corticosteroids, can also help.

Laser treatment. To reduce swelling in your retina, eye doctors can use lasers to make the blood vessels shrink and stop leaking.

Eye surgery. If your retina is bleeding a lot or you have a lot of scars in your eye, your eye doctor may recommend a type of surgery called a vitrectomy.

Glasses Recommended for Diabetic Retinopathy are:

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