Why Low Vision Rehabilitation is Different from a Standard Exam

A low vision rehabilitation evaluation is a functional assessment that goes far beyond a standard eye exam to determine how you use your vision in the real world. While a standard exam checks for disease and basic prescriptions, our evaluation identifies the specific optics needed to help you perform daily tasks. We focus on goals rather than just diagnosis.

In a typical eye exam, the goal is often to find a “cure” or a surgical fix. In our low vision centers, we assume the disease is present and focus entirely on the solution. We use specialized charts and lighting to measure your ability to perceive contrast and detail. This data allows us to prescribe bioptic telescopes, microscopic glasses, or prism lenses.

Our process is highly collaborative. We ask what you have stopped doing because of your vision and then work backward to find the tool that brings that activity back. Whether you are visiting our Charlotte or Wilmington locations, you will find that our rehabilitation approach is designed to bridge the gap between “legally blind” and “fully independent.”