Visual Performance Center
Sight and Sun Eyeworks is home to the Visual Performance Center which is dedicated to helping patients remain independent as well as providing ongoing support. Our physicians do this by recommending and dispensing visual aids, referring to community resources and providing support to patients.
Adjustment to any vision loss is difficult. It takes self-acceptance, determination, support of family and friends, and learning new techniques to fully utilize any remaining vision. The goal of the Visual Performance Center is to enable people with low vision to improve their ability to use their remaining vision so they can be independent and better able to meet the demands of everyday living.
Dr. Katie Gilbert-Spear O.D., Dr. Suzanne Day O.D., & Robert Constantine, OTR/L, CBIS specialize in Low Vision, Vision Rehabilitation, and Sports Vision. Our doctors have a vast understanding of the newest techniques, devices and therapy options for patients suffering from low vision. The Visual Performance Center also has a Board Certified Occupational Therapist in office to help meet the needs of our patients.
What is Low Vision?
Low Vision is a functional impairment that causes your patient to have difficulty seeing. For some patient’s it’s difficulty seeing at night or watching television, for others it’s reading. However; low vision patients have one factor in common: normal solutions like glasses and contacts WILL NOT improve their situation. Low vision can occur at any age, but is most common in older adults.
Low Vision is not Total Blindness
- People with low vision may still have some potentially useful vision.
- Over 4 million Americans have low vision
68 % are over the age of 65.
6 % age 65 to 74.
12 % age 75 to 84
21 % over age 85
What are the major causes of low vision?
Low vision can be due to heredity, an injury, disease, or aging. Some of the most common causes of low vision are macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, optic atrophy, retinitis pigmentosa, retinal detachment, and stroke. Regardless of the cause of vision loss, we offer patients options that will enable them to use their vision to its fullest potential.
How is the Low Vision Patient Helped?
We begin our low vision examination by asking questions about the history of your vision loss, what difficulties you are having performing tasks such as reading, writing, personal hygiene, cooking, and watching television. We will look for activities you have discontinued or have difficulty performing due to the vision loss. Throughout the examination we will be looking for ways to help you accomplish the tasks and activities that you desire.
There are many different devices available for a person with low vision, including magnifiers, telescopes, microscopes (high plus lenses for reading), custom lighting, and a special television to magnify reading material and photographs. Custom designed low vision devices also may be prescribed. Many patients use a combination of devices.
Learn To Use New Devices
Most people with low vision can become more visually independent if they make a commitment to learn how to use low vision aids and devices, as well as learn new methods to perform everyday tasks.
We use a complete supply of low vision aids including: glasses, magnifiers, telescopes, video/computer devices un the examination as indicated by your patients particular needs. They can purchase Low Vision Optical prescriptions and Low Vision magnifiers here at Panhandle Vision Institute
Vision Rehabilitation Plan
After completing the low vision examination, we will design a vision rehabilitation plan. The plan will include the goals to which the team and you have agreed; the devices that best fit those goals and your lifestyle; the training and support that will be the most helpful; and referral to supporting services and agencies.
At subsequent visits, the devices will be dispensed and you will be trained on their proper use. Using the
devices for independent living activities such as cooking, shopping, and reading mail, will also be taught. Computer technology and electronic reading devices will be evaluated if you have specific goals that can be met by them.
Vision Therapy
Vision Therapy is a individualized treatment plan of progressive eye “exercises” for certain binocular vision disorders. The therapy is conducted under the care of an Optometrist. Treatment sessions are held weekly in office with the patient usually given exercises to do at home. Progress is measured at each office visit and the therapy plan is revised and changes as needed for each patient.
To learn more about Vision Therapy click here.
Sports Vision
Sports vision training works on improving the visual abilities of an athlete that are most necessary for excellence in their sport. There visual abilities include dynamic visual acuity, visual tracking, eye-hand-body coordination, visual memory, visualization, peripheral vision, visual reaction time, and depth perception.
The stamina, flexibility and fine-tuning of your visual system can sometimes provide you with the split-second timing you need to truly excel at your chosen sport. Even if you already wear prescription lenses or contact lenses, the visual skills you need for optimum sports performance probably need improvement. If you do not require a vision prescription, your visual skills may still be enhanced. These skills are developed from birth and learned as you grow; they can also be taught, enhanced and improved at almost any time during your life under the direction of a behavioral optometrist who understands how your visual system works.
The Benefit to You
You can improve or enhance your remaining vision so that you can live as independently and efficiently as possible, and have a productive and happy life.
Appointments
To find out more about what you can do call us for an appointment.
