Low vision aids

**Catguyphx** · 11-20-2008, 06:04 PM

I'm a newbie here and looking around, I don't see anyone mentioning LOW VISION AIDS. Am I the only one dispensing them? Magnifiers, prismatic glasses, cctvs. Hoping to talk to others who do!

**Johns** · 11-20-2008, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by Catguyphx

. Am I the only one dispensing them? Magnifiers, prismatic glasses, cctvs.

Probably! (in your area at least...)

Welcome to Optiboard!!!:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

**Wondering Optician** · 03-08-2009, 02:34 PM

I have some questions about low vision aids... was hoping you could help ... i have had several patients with sever RMD our practice and none of the other practices around here don't do anything with low vision aids.. but i feel so bad for them was wondering of you would be able to give me some info on where i could go to find some info on them..

thanks...

The Wondering Optician...

**chip anderson** · 03-08-2009, 03:22 PM

Get in touch with Lighthouse for the Blind, Your state Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind, and (I can't think of the name of the company, but I am sure someone will supply it) the company that makes so many devises for LVA.
Also note the demand for this stuff is low and the cost is high.
Chip

**tmorse** · 03-08-2009, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by chip anderson

Get in touch with Lighthouse for the Blind, Your state Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind, and (I can't think of the name of the company, but I am sure someone will supply it) the company that makes so many devises for LVA.
Also note the demand for this stuff is low and the cost is high.
Chip

Here in Canada, we have the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) where OD's and OMD's routinely send any new patients requiring low vision aids. There, they are examined by a Low Vision expert OMD and then loaned a number of LV devices to take home for 1 week. Finally, when they return for follow-up, they are sold the Low Vision lens/device that helps for a WHOLESALE price. Very tough for regular optical dispensaries to compete with that price point.

**orangezero** · 03-08-2009, 11:22 PM

I just had the person working for the Bureau of Blind Services in Illinois stop in the office the other day. It was very enlightening.

Most of the places who provide help for these patients actually are funded by the state agency. He mentioned there are just not many businesses doing this type of work and they are not real happy with some of them that do. The problem is payment. No one wants to wait 8+ weeks for payment which may never come.

I didn't know they have special radios that get stations which have volunteers which read the local newspapers to those with qualifying vision problems. He mentioned it wasn't hard to qualify. They also have a program which transfers almost any book to audio and it is free for those who qualify.

I knew about a lot of it, but some was new to me. These programs are probably available in a lot of states and only require a minimal amount of effort for your office to help patients.

I'm thinking of starting to perform low vision exams for patients in my area. The common complaint is always lack of money (ie providers never getting paid). It does appear the state takes most or all of the money making ability out of providing low vision aids, except for those who do not qualify. At first glance, it would seem to only be helpful for an office if they can get reimbursed for the exams. I do not think it would be worth buying all the "showroom" equipment just for this type of setup, unless they equipment companies would provide demo units. Anyone know if they do?

From my experience (mostly older patients) motivation seems to be the biggest factor in them not wanting to attempt any types of low vision aids.

**optinick** · 03-09-2009, 12:27 PM

American Foundation for the Blind has many resources available, including low vision services. Their website, www.afb.org has a drop down window and you can select Low vision services there.

**bob_f_aboc** · 03-09-2009, 12:46 PM

One of the ODs in my office is a Low Vision Specialist. They are really few and far between. We stock a few of the magnifiers and have a CCTV set up in her exam room for demonstration. But she has a very extensive catalog of items to fit almost any patient/situation.

**Dave Nelson** · 03-09-2009, 01:03 PM

The problem with low vision is the lack of cohesion among people who offer low vision services, and the service itself is often fragmented and overlapping. There is some misunderstanding about the roles of different providers, and an abysmal lack of any real fundamental understanding of psychosocial aspects of vision loss by most providers, particularly in geriatric practice. Those who do make an effort to provide low vision service are often not paid well for the extra training and effort, or are poorly qualified to provide them. Nurses, for example, are often used to provide services without any real understanding of basic optics, although they bring other valuable skills to the table.
In terms of this board, I assure you, low vision has been discussed in the past.

**optinick** · 03-09-2009, 01:27 PM

Perhaps a catalog would be more helpful than the list of services. You can request one from this link. http://www.shoplowvision.com/

**jefe** · 03-09-2009, 01:52 PM

You'll find a large number of low vision products at eschenbach-optik.com.

**Ginster** · 03-09-2009, 02:22 PM

If your going to Vegas ( Vision Expo West ) this year, see if the course
Given by Dr. Michael Pulitzer on low vision will be there this year. I took it in 2006 and loved it, it's a 6 Hour course but well worth it. I do the magnifiers, my Docs don't want to go full throttle yet with Low Vision.

Best of luck, Ginny:)

**finefocus** · 03-10-2009, 03:59 PM

Dispensing low-vision aids (and that usually means magnifiers) is disheartening. We had a trunk show with reps and samples from multiple vendors (including Eschenbach and two vendors of scanner/tv systems) and found that few patients were pleased with what we could offer. Mind you, there was a good turnout, many potential users, and lots of toys to try out. Hands-on use convinced most patients that there was no significant help available. Fuzzy and big is better than fuzzy and small, but not by much; fuzzy is fuzzy. The best help we noticed was the changing of black-on-white to white-on-black and back (using the tv systems). Be careful to avoid unrealistic expectations from patients.

**Johns** · 03-10-2009, 04:40 PM

We tried it as well. With multiple offices, our market was far-reaching, and we could move the products where needed. We managed to sell 6 video units, at approx. $2500 a piece, and I figured out a way to get local service oraganizations (Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary) involved, in terms of funding, but it was real a drain on time, personnel and other resources.

I've got one unit left, and willing to sell it cheap to anyone who wants it...

**bob_f_aboc** · 03-10-2009, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Johns

I've got one unit left, and willing to sell it cheap to anyone who wants it...

Donate it to a local nursing home. (After putting your business name all over it) They will definately appreciate it. You might get mentioned in the communication to the families as well as the Warm Fuzzy you will feel.

Plus its just another tax break you will be getting this year!:)

**Dave Nelson** · 03-10-2009, 05:45 PM

I'm hearing a familiar refrain here, its time consuming, there's no money in it, and Finefocus really nailed the scenario with the oft repeated description of many toys, good turnout, all ducks in a row, yet few sales, and patients not really very impressed with what the aids could do, and often strong resistance to utilize aids even when they were beneficial.
I heard this time and time again, and experienced over and over again myself, until I began noticing behavior patterns that kept repeating.
Although I'm light years from being any kind of expert in the sociology and psychology of aging, I did some studying on the subject, as well as some background research in the area as part of a lecture I did on low vision.
Man, did the light bulbs go off. It was really, really enlightening, and suddenly behavior patterns began to make sense. I stongly advise anyone who teaches low vision, learns low vision, and/or practices in low vision to emphasize the badly neglected area of psycho-social issues relating to ageing, and coping with disabilities. I promise you'll see low vision in a new light.

**Johns** · 03-10-2009, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by bob_f_aboc

Donate it to a local nursing home. (After putting your business name all over it) They will definately appreciate it. You might get mentioned in the communication to the families as well as the Warm Fuzzy you will feel.

Yeah, but a $2400 Warm Fuzzy