Do Low-Vision Lenses Protect My Eyes from the Sun?

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If you have normal vision, there’s something of a balance that you need to strike when it comes to sunshine. Some natural light is great for the natural health of your eyes, but too much can cause the retina to burn or the macula to break down.

However, if you have low vision, the stakes change when you head outdoors. Too much UV light can potentially make your eye conditions worse, speeding up the progress of your disorder. Here, we’ll look at what you should know about low-vision and whether lenses offer sufficient protection.

What to Know About Low-Vision and Sunglasses

If you have low-vision in Charlotte, NC, particularly if you have severe low-vision, you may think that UV protection isn’t necessary. However, consider that UV protection can potentially protect the vision that you have left by shielding your eyes from harmful rays. This is why vision aids of any kind, including sunglasses, can be worn by everyone (including the legally blind) to help manage anything from light sensitivity to dust particles in the air.

Do Low-Vision Lenses Offer UV Protection?

Not all low-vision lenses offer UV protection, which is why it helps to talk to an eye doctor in Charlotte, NC about what’s available and which product would work best for your condition.

Whether you’re concerned about object contrast, lens darkness, or glare, contact the team at The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina to discuss how each option will impact your visual acuity and whether they can be worn in harsh rays. With our help, you can make full use of the latest technology and learn more about the newest low-vision aids on the market.

3 Signs You Need Light-Filtered Glasses

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Light-filtered glasses in Charlotte, NC do what the name suggests: they block out bright lights that can lead to anything from burning to squinting. However, because harsh fluorescent lighting is very different from natural sunshine, you may need different filters for different situations. Here, we’ll look at the standard signs that you need these glasses, and what you can do to find the right pair for you.

1. Your Eyes Are Strained

In an age of screens, it can be easy to ignore eye strain, so much so that you may not even notice it anymore. However, consider that light filters can possibly remove or eliminate that strain, which can give your eyes a bit of a breather.

2. Details and Edges of Objects Are Blurred

Light-filtering glasses may be able to improve contrast, especially in orange or yellow light, which can make it easier to clearly see the objects around you. (This would be especially helpful if you’re used to playing guessing games when driving directly in the sun’s glare.)

3. You Want Better Vision

Light-filters can protect your eyes, whether it’s from UV light or severe discomfort. However, it’s important to find light-filtering vision aids that work for you. An office worker who wants to filter out blue light from their computer will have very different needs than a retiree with a genetic history of low-vision in their background.

If you want to learn more about your options, contact The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina today. As low-vision specialists in Charlotte, NC, it’s our job to point you in the right direction. Some patients may need a standard pair of light-filtering glasses while others may need a more custom solution.

How Bioptic Telescopic Glasses Can Restore Your Independence

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Whether you’ve cut back on reading, writing, playing piano, driving, or even just watching TV, losing your vision can have a huge impact on your day-to-day life. Unfortunately, it may even make you feel as though you’ve lost your independence— because you can no longer do the activities that once made you happy. Here, we’ll look at how bioptic telescopic glasses restore sight and whether they’re right for you.

What Are Bioptic Telescopic Glasses?

You can think of bioptic telescopic glasses in Asheville, NC as standard glasses but with one major addition — small telescopes that are just above your line of sight. These telescopes mount directly onto the lenses and they magnify faraway objects so that you can see them more clearly. To use telescopic glasses, you simply tilt your head toward anything from sheet music to faces to street signs.

Why Explore Bioptic Telescopic Glasses?

For some patients with low vision, this is the best solution to bring objects into focus. If you’ve been struggling with daily tasks, these glasses can give you back your routine. When your independence is more than just meeting your bare-minimum needs, the right solution can lead you back to activities that help you lead a more fulfilling life.

At The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina, our team helps people find low-vision aids that work for them. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way. While bioptic telescopic glasses are extremely effective, it may take some time and energy to adjust to them. This adjustment period (in addition to the non-traditional look) can prevent people from even trying them, which is why it can help to work with low-vision eye doctors in Asheville, NC who can offer more than just a prescription.

 

What Are Side-Vision Awareness Glasses?

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If you’re concerned about your peripheral vision, especially if you’re still driving or out on crowded city streets, Side-Vision Awareness Glasses (SVAG) can give you back some of your confidence without having to wear an especially thick or obvious pair of glasses. Here, we’ll look at what they are, how they were developed, and who you can turn to if you’re interested in the product.

How Side-Vision Awareness Glasses Work

Side-Vision Awareness Glasses in Charlotte, NC are a specialized pair of glasses developed by Dr. Rummel. After Dr. Rummel spent years treating people with brain injuries, including stroke, he was frustrated by the available options on the market to help people improve their side-vision.

His product is a result of tireless efforts and relies on shifting visual information from the sides to the central line of vision. This enhances the wearer’s understanding of both fixed and moving objects, which can help them stay safer and more aware in any given situation.

Is SVAG the Best Solution?

SVAG came out ahead when compared with other types of glasses, including Fresnel lens glasses, which work more to refocus light than to improve your side-vision. In addition, most people prefer the look of SVAG because they look more like traditional glasses than specialty glasses.

If you’re interested in SVAG, contact The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina to learn more about whether you’re a good candidate. Here, you’ll meet eye doctors in Charlotte, NC who specialize in low-vision, no matter where it originates. After helping an array of people, we understand not just how low-vision can manifest, but which products and solutions work better for each patient!

How Are Telescopic Glasses Helpful?

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For anyone who experiences low vision, telescopic eyeglasses in Wilmington, NC are real game changers. These devices implement small telescopes that are embedded into the actual eyeglass lenses. If you had to describe what they’re similar to, imagine if you could constantly hold a telescope up to your eyes when you couldn’t see well. Of course, that’s not practical. But with telescopic glasses, a person with low vision can enjoy that experience seamlessly.

What Telescopic Glasses Make Possible

Those who have telescopic glasses have proclaimed how much value these glasses have given them. They make it possible to get a job, work on a computer, enjoy favorite hobbies like reading, playing games, sewing, cooking, knitting and so much more. The emotional and practical benefits of regaining independence are immeasurable.

Support for Detailed Tasks

Individuals with low vision often struggle with fine print, and with doing things that require precision. Think of reading the labels on foods at the grocery store, threading a need, pushing buttons on the TV clicker, or even buttoning up a child’s coat in the winter. For these tasks and more, telescopic eyeglasses are lifesavers.

Distance Vision Enabled

When you think about all the situations where distance viewing is necessary, you can see how beneficial these eyeglasses are. Seeing road signs, watching television or just being able to see where your children are on the soccer field or in the backyard—-it all becomes significantly easier, since telescopic glasses enhance distance vision, too.

Customized for Your Needs

Each pair of telescopic glasses is custom-designed to meet the user’s specific vision requirements. The optometrist assesses the individual’s condition and lifestyle needs, ensuring that the lenses are optimized for activities like driving or reading.

If you or a loved one faces challenges due to low vision, telescopic glasses could provide the clarity and confidence needed to navigate life with ease. Consult with your Wilmington, NC optometrist today to explore this innovative option.

Does AR Really Work for Low-Vision?

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Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality have become hot topics in multiple industries, and the optometry field is no exception. If you’ve heard of AR for low vision, we’ll look at how the technology supports the wearer’s eyesight through contrast and magnification. From audio cues to visual aids, these tools convey important information about how a person can live within the material world.

How Does AR Work?

Whether it’s a handheld device or a headset, the low vision tools in Charlotte, NC, come down to clarity. It can make objects look much bigger than they are and show the edges of different types of objects with the help of bright colors. In addition to visual aids, the technology can also provide audio cues, letting people know what’s around them and what they can do to safely use or bypass whatever happens to be in front of them.

Is AR Worth the Investment?

Right now, AR is still in relatively early development, so that the devices may present some inconvenience to the wearer. For instance, an AR headset may be able to help people with low vision see clearly, but it may not be easy to wear the equipment on a regular basis. There are companies out there attempting to bring AR in a convenient package to the masses by making glasses and contacts that incorporate the technology without the need for bulky equipment.

Low Vision Rehabilitation in Wilmington, NC

If you’re looking for a low vision specialist, Dr. Edward Paul, OD, PhD has offices in Wilmington, Charlotte, and Asheville, NC. It’s our job to tell you more about which tools are on the market, how they work, and whether they can fit in with your goals and lifestyle. Contact us today if you’re interested in AR for low vision.

How Telescopic Glasses Can Help with Low Vision

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Low vision can make completing everyday tasks challenging, from reading to driving to working on the computer. The good news is that telescopic glasses in Wilmington, NC can significantly improve your quality of life.

What Are Telescopic Glasses?

Telescopic lenses are miniature binoculars designed for people whose visual acuity is 0.3 or lower. Visual acuity is another term for visual clarity, or how well you can see objects up close and at a distance.

The lenses in these specialty glasses are thicker than you would find in standard glasses. When you look through your telescopic lenses in a certain way, images zoom into focus and become clearer. Also known as bioptic lenses, telescopic lenses attach to your regular glasses. You can also attach the lens to only the left or right side if you struggle with low vision in only one eye.

How to Use Your New Visual Aid

Getting used to wearing your telescopic lenses over your regular glasses takes a little time. You need to move your eyes in an upward direction or tilt your head to the left or right, depending on what you need to make clearer. Taking these actions allows you to look through the bioptic sight line for improved visual acuity.

The power of telescopic lenses

These miniature binoculars have four times the power of regular prescription eyeglasses. Imagine that you can only see objects clearly five feet in front of you, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses. Telescopic glasses increase that to 20 feet, which is especially important for driving. You want to be able to read road signs and see objects on the road clearly without having to be only feet away.

We invite you to schedule a consultation to learn more about telescopic glasses in Wilmington, NC, today.

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.

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.