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Thread: Low-Vision Aids

  1. #1
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    Low-Vision Aids

    Anyone know what company to order lighted magnifiers and other low-vision aids from? I'm looking for a patient of ours, and google didn't turn up much useful information.
    Thanks!

  2. #2
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    Try www.eschenbach.com. They are low vision specialist.

  3. #3
    ATO Member HarryChiling's Avatar
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    You should also ask them for a low vision specialist in your area if this is what a patiant needs; a specialist is going to have a wide assortment of devices available for a patian to try out while they are in the office and can help give the patiant advice on what would be needed for a given situation.
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    I'll add to Harry's post. Be careful of who you refer to. Many folks have jumped on the "Low Vision" bandwagon to boost profits. Lots of these folks couldnt even tell you the difference in a 2x or 8x magnifer. Start asking them about telescope systems and they start talking about the Milky Way and crying about Pluto being pulled from planet staus!

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    Well Harry, here's the deal:
    I've got a pt who I made glasses for (from an out of office RX). She lives in a retirement home right across the street. Her Opthamologist referred her to a "low vision specialist" in a nearby city. However, she cannot drive and has no family around. She just can't get there...and it's probably about an hour drive. I called them to see what they had that was so different and they said that they have items in a catalog, but that they do not stock them. Also, they would require she pay for a whole new eye exam from their doctor because they "only provide such services to their own patients". So why send her all the way out there if I can handle it here for her? I've dealt with low vision aids before, but I couldn't remember where we got them from.
    So, I'm doing some initial research before talking to my Doc about how to procede.
    Thanks!

  6. #6
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    Some of my patients have suggested a company called " Independent Living" ph 1-800-537-2118. I do not know much more than that about them. I do not work for or profit from this company.

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    Master OptiBoarder ikon44's Avatar
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    coil are experts in providing and giving advice on LVAs.
    They have distributors in USA ,visit the website for further info,and well done for trying to help this lady.

    http://www.coil.co.uk/
    To find out what,s happening in the UK optical market:
    http://theOptom.com

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    Other options for you

    We deal a lot with Eschenbach. These companies are good too.

    http://www.optelec.com/
    http://www.walterslowvision.com/
    http://www.selsioptics.com/

    This is a list I found last year that was helpful too.

    http://www.99main.com/~charlief/vi/products.html

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    OptiBoard Professional Ory's Avatar
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    Agreed on Eschenbach. I've found Optelec tends to be cheaper if that is a concern but I'm always impressed with both the quality and innovation in Eschenbach products.

    As an aside, I've found pretty much all the "rules" for low vision assessments (eg. calculating mag required based on current near VA) to be pretty much useless. An item that sounds great for a particular patient may not do a thing...so be sure you know the return policy of the supplier unless you're planning on stocking some lov vision aids for the future.

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    LS&S is another good place to order from. http://www.lssproducts.com/

  11. #11
    ATO Member HarryChiling's Avatar
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    Eschenbach, without a doubt is tops in my book. I went to a seminar given by the president not long ago and was impressed with the company. It is true that a buch of practices are jumping on the low vision band wagon. The reason for the office wanting a whole new exam done by their doctors is usually for billing reasons and I kinda understand low vision patient require a lot of training and time. It is not just heres a mag go. I will scan the material I got at the seminar and e-mail it to you. I have the catalog as well that may take a while, but if you want it it's yours. Just remember lighting is also a very key part of the process and you should recommend lighting as well. Do a full needs assesment and try to pick a goal that can be acomplished with a few visits, then build up and expand to cover other needs.

    example: You may want to get her into a magnafier that she can carry and allows her to read in a store and around town first then come up with a solution for her sheet music or book reading.

    You will find that most low vision patients will require multiple devices to fufill all their visual needs. Most importantly be patiant.
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  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by HarryChiling View Post
    I will scan the material I got at the seminar and e-mail it to you. .

    Harry,
    I would be interested in the seminar info.

  13. #13
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    You can also find alot . . .

    of useful information at Lighthouse International. www.lighthouse.org
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  14. #14
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    Thanks for all the help guys! I really appreciate it. Harry, I did get the catalog (after calling a few times). So, I'm set with that. Our doc is going to see her and assess her needs, so it looks like we'll be able to help her after all. Thanks again for all the help!

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