A Look at the 5 Optical Elements of E-Scoop Contrast Enhancing Glasses for Low Vision

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Low vision issues can be hard to avoid as you age, but the number of available aids is ever-growing as new optical solutions are discovered. E-scoop contrast-enhancing glasses are a good example; these glasses are designed to provide a clearer, larger view of the world around you. Here is a look at the five optical elements of E-scoop glasses and how they can be beneficial for people with vision problems.

1. Base-Up (BU) or Base-Down (BD) Prism

Base-up and base-down prism refer to where the central point of the lenses should be located in reference to the position of the eye. E-scoop contrast lenses are carefully created by taking specific measurements to determine where the BU or BD prism should be situated on each lens.

2. Base Curve

The base curve refers to the direct curvature of the lens itself. For example, someone with certain visual problems may need a more concaved base curve to support better vision.

3. Specific Thickness

The thickness of lenses can enhance and even shift what is being viewed through a lens. With e-scoop contrast-enhancing glasses, the specific thickness will be determined according to your usual glasses prescription.

4. Custom Tint

Custom tint allows you to pick and choose the type or shade of tint that best clarifies what it is that you see through a lens. For instance, an individual with diabetic neuropathy may have issues in bright sunlight, but may not see well through dark-tinted glasses.

5. Anti-Reflective Film

An anti-reflective coating on the outside of lenses helps to reflect some of the UV rays outward away from the eye. However, this feature also helps to thwart issues with glare, which can generate vision problems for some low-vision patients.

Let’s Talk About Low Vision in Charlotte, NC

Low vision issues can have an effect on your life, but there may be ways we can help. Reach out to us at The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina to schedule an appointment for help.

A Closer Look at the Leading Causes of Low Vision in Seniors

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Roughly one out of every three people will have some type of issue that lowers their visual abilities by the time they reach the age of 65. As an aging adult, getting proactive about your visual health is important because of that fact. Here is a look at some of the leading causes of low vision in seniors.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma creates undue stress on the optic nerve, which can lead to blindness and changes to vision. Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness among seniors, but may not always lead to vision loss or blindness.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of vision loss for individuals who are over the age of 60. When caught early, the condition can oftentimes be slowed with attentive treatment. However, the disease can cause permanent changes to your vision.

Cataracts

Roughly half of all adults will have cataracts by the time they reach the age of 80. Cataracts are a collection of proteins that can cause cloudiness on the lens of the eye. Your vision may appear hazy or blurred, and you may have problems seeing well in direct sunlight or in low lighting.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy affects as many as 7.7 million adults in the United States and can be more prevalent among seniors with diabetes. Unstable blood sugar levels can cause blood vessels at the back of the retina to leak fluid into the eye, which affects visual abilities.

Look for Low Vision Rehabilitation in Charlotte, NC

Even though low vision can affect your day-to-day life, there may be solutions available that can help. Reach out to us at The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina to schedule an appointment for a consultation.

Can I Drive at Night With Low Vision?

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Low vision is a common problem that affects millions of people around the world. Living with low vision is possible, but when it comes to driving, taking certain precautions is necessary for safety. Your eyesight should meet a certain standard for safe driving. You should be able to read all the road signs and see pedestrians as you drive during the night. Here are some of the measures you can take to drive safely at night if you have low vision problems:

Avoid Staring at Oncoming Lights

Looking at light sources directly is a major concern while driving at night, especially if you have low vision. Staring at the lights causes the contraction of the pupils, making it hard for drivers to see in the dark. The phenomenon is known as bleaching of the retina. It results in a decreased sensitivity to light. Therefore, ensure you shift your gaze to avoid being blinded by oncoming headlights. Additionally, make sure you aim the exterior mirrors to enable you to move the head away from the light reflected in them.

Wear Specially-Tinted Glasses

If you have low vision, you will experience reduced sensitivity, making it hard to separate objects from a background. As a result, it may be harder for you to see some road signs. Some eyecare professionals may recommend wearing specially-tinted glasses, which help to avoid contrast issues.

Ask Someone to Drive You

One of the things you can do to ensure you are safe is by simply asking a friend or family member with better eyesight to drive. You can inform them in advance so that they can include that in their plans so that neither of you is inconvenient.

Approach Roadblocks With Caution

As a person with low vision, it may be harder for you to spot roadblocks. Ensure you always drive at the set speed limits and be especially careful when you encounter road construction areas.

If you have suspect that you have low vision, please contact The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina to book an appointment with one of our eyecare professionals.

 

Eye Test Machine

Macular DegenerationTreatment Options

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Macular Degeneration

Treatment Options:

Nutrition, Low Vision

Services and Supplements

Find out about macular degeneration treatment options by Dr. Edward Paul. Dr. Paul takes on an integrative approach using traditional and complementary modalities. Learn what he has to say about nutrition, low vision services and supplements.
Dr. Edward Paul is a low vision specialist with a Ph.D. in nutrition. One of Dr. Paul’s specialties is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). He graduated from Southern College of Optometry and also holds a Ph.D. in nutritional medicine. His interest in nutrition and eye disease lead to the development of TOZAL, an AREDS2 based supplement for the treatment and prevention of AMD.
He has served as professor of ophthalmology at three international medical schools and was chosen as one of “America’s Top Optometrists” by the Consumer’s Research Council.
He is a Diplomate of the International Academy of LowVision Specialists and the author of several books, including Prevent and Reverse Eye Disease.

Macular Degeneration Book

1. Your book Prevent & Reverse Eye Disease is an ebook on Kindle. Whatprompted you to write it and what is the main message you want readers with macular degeneration to understand?

The majority of eye doctors are not educating their patients on alternative or complimentary medical treatments when it comes to age related macular degeneration (AMD).

My practice philosophy is one that is “integrative” – which means including traditional therapies (for example – injections for patients with “wet” AMD), but also looking at emerging therapies that show promise. The main message I hope patients get from the book is there is hope! Going blind is not their only option. To get your e-book visit Amazon here:

Prevent & Reverse Eye Disease

Macular Degeneration and Nutrition

3. Why do you say that nutritional therapy should be included in every patient’s macular degeneration treatment plan?

Nutritional therapy is the only treatment that has been shown to be effective in the “dry” form of AMD. New evidence now suggests that patients at riskfor AMD may actually be able to prevent the disease with nutritional supplementation.

One example of this is that Vitamin D and B complex have shown to reduce the incidence of AMDin women. Omega-3 fatty acids have been effective in reducing the conversion from dry to wet AMD and emerging research is showing that patients who receive injections for wet AMD may benefit from omega-3 in that the injections seem to be more efficacious and fewer injections are needed. Nutritional therapy is inexpensive, safe, and continues to show a tremendous benefit to the AMD community.

4. What are RDA levels? What do they mean and how should one interpret these numbers. Give us an example of perhaps Vitamin C.

RDA, or known by its full name – Recommended Daily Allowance – is being revised and will be called the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) and is a collaborative effort between the USA and Canada. RDA is the daily intake level of a nutrient that is considered to be sufficient to meet the requirements of 97–98% of “healthy” individuals.

With Vitamin C, the RDA for adult men is 90 mg and for adult women 75 mg. That being said, the amount of Vitamin C found to be effective in the AREDS study was 500 mg. With nutritional formulations for eye disease, AMD in particular, the RDA levels found in most multi-vitamins is simply not enough to be effective therapeutically.

Macular Degeneration Treatment – Lutein Dosage

5. You write about the importance of lutein. What is lutein and what role does it play in macular health?

Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids that filter harmful high-energy blue wavelengths of light and act as antioxidants in the eye, helping protect and maintain healthy cells.

Of the 600 carotenoids found in nature, only two are deposited in high quantities in the retina (macula) of the eye: lutein and zeaxanthin. The quantity of lutein and zeaxanthin in the macular region of the retina canbe measured as macular pigment optical density (MPOD).

Recently, MPOD has become a useful biomarker for not only predicting disease but also visual function. Unfortunately, the human body does not synthesize the lutein and zeaxanthin it needs, which is the reason why green vegetables are essential to good nutrition. Daily intake of lutein and zeaxanthin through diet, nutritional supplements, or fortified foods and beverages is important for the maintenance of good eye health. I recommend at least 15 mg of Lutein and 3 mg of Zeaxanthin daily.

Vitamins for Eyes

6. What are your suggestions for supplements for those with macular degeneration and for those wanting to prevent macular degeneration?

I recommend supplements that contain the original AREDS formulation in combination with 15 mg of
Lutein, 3 mg of Zeaxanthin, and at least 600 mg EPA/DHA – Omega-3 fatty acids.

7. What treatments do you use in your practice that have shown some success in reversing macular degeneration?

I use an eye vitamin that I developed – TOZAL Complete Eye Health Formula – for my patients with AMD. This supplement has been shown to either improve or stabilize vision in 76% of patients within 6 months. We have also been able to photo document a decrease in the number of drusen and an improvement in the overall appearance in their OCT. Tozal is available at https://shopfocuslabs.com/product/tozal-complete-eye-health-formula-90-ct/

Low Vision Specialist

8. You also provide low vision exams in your practice. How is that exam different from a regular eye exam?

It is not anything like a regular eye exam. The Low Vision evaluation consists of three steps:

1. Find out the amount of vision the patient has.

2. Find out the amount of vision needed to do the task desired.

3. Figure out the best magnification device that allows the person to do the task.

We find out the amount of vision the patient has by performing a low vision evaluation. We use special charts and techniques to “draw out” any residual vision that may be “hiding” in the periphery. We recheck the regular eyeglass prescription to improve it if possible.

We see how magnification affects the level of vision. Next we find out the amount of vision needed to do the task desired with very specific questions and demonstrations.

We ask the patient to bring samples of print they want to see (racing charts, stock market pages, automobile repair manuals…). We ask the patient to bring samples of activities they do (needlework, crossword puzzles art work, bridge cards…).

We figure out the best magnification device that allows the person to do their desired task and we actually demonstrate the vision improvement the patient can expect in the office. There is no guesswork and the patient can actually experience the vision improvement they can expect during the low vision consultation.

9. Give us an example of one of the more helpful low vision devices that is only available through a low vision center?

The newest addition to our low vision war chest is Acesight, electronic glasses that help visually impaired people regain independence. Acesight auto-focuses on the image the patient wants to see so that an individual can watch TV, use a computer, play music or read mail.

The device is ideally suited to individuals with a visual acuity between 20/100 or 20/800 and who suffer from macular degeneration.

10. If someone is interested in making an appointment with you for a second opinion for their macular degeneration what is the best way to contact you?

We welcome patients to call our at 910-256-6364. Patients can also visit our web site at www.DrEdward-Paul.com

Telescopic Eyeglasses: What Are They and Who Could Benefit

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A large portion of the population relies on eyeglasses to see and get around. However, for some people, just glasses are not enough, and for some, even bifocal or trifocal lenses are also not enough. In these cases, it may be worth looking at telescopic eyeglasses as a possible option.

Telescopic Eyeglasses Explained

Telescopic eyeglasses are specially designed prescription glasses that have miniature binoculars or a monocular mounted in certain positions on the glasses. These glasses are created using an in-depth examination of the patient’s visual abilities, with the telescopic parts of the glasses designed to help the patient see more clearly when performing certain actions. For example, the telescopic components may be used when:

  • Driving
  • Watching television
  • Reading
  • Watching wildlife

The glasses usually have the telescopic monocular or binocular positioned in just the right position so the individual wearing the glasses can adjust their head position to look through the lenses.

Who Could Benefit from These Unique Glasses?

Anyone who has a hard time performing certain tasks because of visual limitations could benefit from telescopic eyeglasses. With just a simple adjustment of the head position or eye direction, the individual can better see what it is they are peering at because they are looking through the telescopic lens. For instance, if someone normally has a hard time reading a fast-food menu, the patient could simply peer at the menu through the telescopic lenses.

Talk to Us About Telescopic Glasses in Charlotte, NC 

The eyes and the visual capabilities of every person can be so unique, and, sometimes, it takes a unique solution to help someone see better. If you believe you could be a good candidate for telescopic eyeglasses, reach out to us at The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina, a skilled and caring eye doctor serving Willmington and Charlotte.

How to Make the Most of Your Remaining Vision

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It can feel devastating to receive a professional diagnosis of low vision. You may be worried about your ability to perform your daily activities such as driving, supervising little ones, reading or even cooking. However, with the tips listed below, you can make the most of your remaining vision.

Decorate With Contrasting Colors

Discerning between colors is a common problem for those with low vision. If you decorate with contrasting colors it will make navigating your home much easier.

Use Bigger Fonts

When working on your computer, use the tools available to make all of the fonts larger. This will reduce eyestrain and help to protect your remaining vision.

Invest In Magnifying Lenses

Keep a few magnifying lenses around your home and in your purse or pocket. When you shop for groceries or need to read the small food labels or recipes in your kitchen, the magnifying lens will be your best friend.

Keep Everything In Its Place

If you always keep certain items in the same place, you won’t have to struggle to search for them around your home. Do the same thing with your automobile. Keep spare change, sunglasses and anything else that you commonly use in the same place, such as the middle console or the glove box.

Wear Only UV-Rated Sunglasses

UV light can damage your eyes. Make sure that you only wear either prescription sunglasses, or UV-rated sunglasses that you can buy over-the-counter. This will help to protect your remaining vision.

Move Things Closer

You don’t want to strain your eyes any more than necessary. If you’re fond of watching television, Move your TV and chair closer together so that you don’t have to squint in order to watch your favorite programs.

With some care and attention, you can ensure that you make the most of your remaining vision. For more information about low vision needs, please contact The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina.