Low Vision Center
The Low Vision Center at the Institute of Opthalmology and Visual Science is the only low vision service for veterans in the State of New Jersey and an important component of the Center for Macular Degeneration Treatment and Research. The Low Vision Center has clinical facilities at the Doctors Office Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Comprehensive care of patients with visual impairment or patients who are blind includes meticulous refraction, individual counseling on the selection and use of low vision aids, mobility training, and referral to social services. The goal of the Low Vision Center is to enable persons who are partially sighted to remain functional and independent when standard spectacles, contact lenses, or surgery no longer suffice. For example, patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who may not be responsive to surgical modalities may be helped by low vision aids. A full range
of devices are regularly designed and dispensed, including hand-held, stand, and spectacle magnifiers; telescopes; electro-optical and special illumination devices; closed circuit television; and computer systems.
What is Low Vision?
Visual Impairment
- Visual acuity equal or worse than 20/60 in the BETTER seeing eye
Legal Blindness
- Visual acuity equal or worse than 20/200 in the BETTER seeing eye
- Visual field equal or less than 20 degrees, horizontal, in the BETTER seeing eye
Low Vision
- Low vision encompasses ANY patient with decreased vision that CANNOT be improved by glasses, medication, or surgery AND which compromises
the performance of daily living tasks.
- Low Vision Services are important in restoring visual FUNCTION (NOT visual acuity). The goal is to maximize REMAINING vision, and therefore establish patient independence.
- Low Vision Services are available for anyone having difficulty with visual tasks because of uncorrectable visual loss. Talk to
your eye doctor if you think you may qualify for a low vision evaluation.
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How do I know if I have Low Vision?
Seniors
Adults
Children
Primary Eye-Care Referral
• Talk to your eye doctor if you think you may qualify for a low vision evaluation
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Am I Alone?
NEI Statistics for the USA
2.4 million visually impaired Americans over 40 year old
• Additional >1 million blind/ legally impaired Americans over 40
• Number of Americans over the age of 40 affected with blindness or low vision
is expected to reach 5.5 million in the next 15 years
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What Can Be Done About Low Vision?
- The center for low vision is the only academically-based, comprehensive rehabilitation and research program in the State of New Jersey dedicated to addressing the overall limited availability of low vision services in New Jersey as well as public and professional lack of awareness of low vision services.–(C Horan)
- The center for low vision is the only academically-based, comprehensive rehabilitation and research program in the State of New Jersey dedicated to addressing the overall limited availability of low vision services in New Jersey as well as public and professional lack of awareness of low vision services.–(C Horan)
- Through low vision services, patients can expect a thorough evaluation of their "best" functional vision. The doctor will work side by side with each patient to customize rehabilitation to the patients individual needs. Successful treatment begins with identification of personal goals and an evaluation for the prescription of specialty-fit devices that maintain maximum function with current visual status. Most important is our team approach to patient care which facilitates the most important aspect of Low Vision Rehabilitation, individual patient motivation…
LOW VISION DOCTORS
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LOW VISION STUDENT ROTATION
As one of the only academically-based low vision rehabilitation centers in NJ, our Center for Low Vision is host to optometric and ophthalmic student rotations...
LOW VISION EXAMINATION
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DEVICES
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REFERRAL SERVICES
Patients evaluated in Low Vision are often linked to other community resources for further help in their course of rehabilitation...
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What does the future hold?
CENTER FOR APPLIED VISION RESEARCH
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NEW RESEARCH IN TREATMENT OF LOW VISION
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PREVENTION OF LOW VISION
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