Low Vision Services at TotalVision

 

Do you, or does someone close to you, suffer from vision loss that cannot be improved with glasses or contact lenses?  Many conditions, such as macular degeneration, advanced glaucoma, hereditary retinal disease, and stroke can result in vision loss.  This vision loss may be limited to the center vision, such as that experienced with some forms of macular degeneration; or, it may affect the peripheral vision more significantly, as in glaucoma.

At TotalVision, we offer low vision services, providing patients with devices like magnifiers, telescopes, and specially tinted lenses.  We can also provide and recommend audio devices, so patients are able to rely more on alternative senses like hearing, when the visual system is less robust.  Dr. Regina Strand, co-owner of TotalVision, is among the minority of optometrists who specialize in low vision services.  Call one of our offices today to find out more, or to schedule an appointment!


Central vision loss, such as that which occurs in advanced stages of macular degeneration

Simulation of peripheral vision loss, such as that experienced in glaucoma

 



The importance of eye health testing

An eye exam consists of much more than just determination of a glasses or contact lens prescription.  Did you know that the back of the eye is the only place in the body that one can directly view blood vessels?  By focusing light through the pupil onto the retina -- the tissue that lines the back of the eye - eye doctors can screen for many systemic diseases.  This means that common health conditions, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure are often first detected at an eye exam.  Additionally, photos taken of the retina can be used to document findings and monitor for changes in years to come.






A healthy retina.  The yellow circle to the right of center is the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain.  Arteries (light red) and veins (darker red) course the back of the eye.  The darker area left to the center of the photo is the macula.  This provides our central vision, and is what is affected in diseases like macular degeneration.