Eye Care Blog

Having problems seeing either at a distance or close up? Is the newsprint getting fuzzier, or is the computer screen more blurry than it used to be? Are you having issues seeing vehicles coming at you in the opposite lane or really unable to clearly see the traffic signs? It may be time for you to get to the optometrist or opthalmologist depending upon your vision condition.

If you already are wearing some type of vision correction such as contact lenses or eyeglasses, maybe it’s time to go back for a followup exam to find out if you need help. Finding a way to read comfortably is one of the most difficult challenges for visually impaired people, according to AllAboutVision.com. Many give it up altogether, because what used to be an enjoyable, effortless activity now requires thought, preparation and a lot of adjustment. For some people in this situation, reading is just no fun anymore. Even so, many low vision devices can make reading easier and more rewarding for people with macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, tunnel vision, and other low vision conditions. The most affordable are handheld magnifiers, some of which contain small reading lamps for better illumination. Other magnifiers are mounted on height-adjustable stands or hang around the neck. Strong reading glasses come in full- or half-lens styles. Or you can obtain bifocal eyeglasses with high-power reading lens segments. Reading telescopes are another option. They can be handheld or mounted onto special eyeglass frames with enhanced nose pads and padded bridges, so your nose will carry the weight more comfortably for use.

According to AllAboutVision.com, video magnifiers project printed material on a closed circuit television, or CCTV, monitor or regular television or computer screen; you can sit as close to the screen as necessary, and it can be adjusted for degree of magnification, brightness, contrast and even color. Advantages of this system are that it doesn’t add weight to your nose (as in the case of eyeglass-mounted scopes), and you can sit upright in a comfortable position, instead of leaning over a horizontal table. The disadvantage is that it costs more than a simple magnifier or pair of reading glasses. But considering the impact on quality of life, the cost is probably worth it for most people. A more portable system is a device that rests on your reading material and magnifies it, projecting the image onto a pair of eyeglasses that you wear. You read the material on the glasses as you move the device across the page. You can also read curved surfaces, such as cans or pill bottles, so this device is useful for shopping. Some reading devices require a prescription from your eye care practitioner because they are custom-made for your particular needs. But consult your doctor before buying even nonprescription magnifiers, because he or she can tell you which low vision devices will work best for you, based on your activities and the lens power you require.

Several effective options for laser refractive surgery are available, according to The Eye Digest, published by the University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary. Navigating the complex array of options can be difficult, but more choices also bring the opportunity to meet more of the needs of an individual patient. Serious complications from refractive surgery are rare, as evidenced by the low rate of loss of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. However, before undergoing any refractive procedure, you should carefully weigh the risks and benefits based on your own personal value system, and try to avoid being influenced by friends that have had the procedure or doctors encouraging you to do so. Remember that, even though rare, complications do occur.