What is Low Vision Care?

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Low vision is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a term used to describe significant visual impairment that cannot be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery. Individuals with low vision may have difficulty performing everyday activities such as reading, driving, or recognizing faces.

The professional team at Dr. Edward Paul, OD, Ph.D., of Wilmington, NC, is proud to serve the local community with premium low-vision care services to help restore your confidence in a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Low vision care is specialized to help individuals with low vision maximize their visual abilities and maintain their independence. It is a collaborative effort between ophthalmologists, optometrists, and other healthcare professionals specializing in low-vision care.

This also focuses on helping individuals with low vision make the most of their remaining vision through visual aids, environmental modifications, and training. The goal is to help individuals with low vision achieve their goals and maintain independence.

Why is Low Vision Care Important?

Low vision can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. It can make it difficult or impossible to perform everyday tasks, such as reading, writing, cooking, or driving. This can lead to frustration, isolation, and a loss of independence.

We can help individuals with low vision overcome these challenges by providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to maintain their independence and quality of life. By working with a low-vision specialist, individuals with low vision can learn how to use visual aids, make environmental modifications, and develop new skills to help them achieve their goals.

Types of Services and Devices Available for Low-Vision Care

Visual aids are devices that can help individuals with low vision make the most of their remaining vision and should complement proper glasses or contacts. There are many different types of visual aids available, including:

  • Magnifiers: Magnifiers are handheld devices that can be used to enlarge text and images.
  • Telescopes: Telescopes are devices that can see distant objects more clearly.
  • Microscopes: Microscopes are devices that can see small objects more clearly.
  • Filters: Filters are devices that can enhance contrast and reduce glare.
  • Electronic devices: Electronic devices, such as video magnifiers and screen readers, can be used to enlarge text and images or convert text to speech.

Environmental Modifications

Environmental modifications involve changing an individual’s environment to make it easier to see and navigate. Some common ecological changes include:

  • Increased lighting: Adding more lighting can help make it easier to see.
  • Contrast enhancement: Adding contrast to surfaces, such as painting door frames a contrasting color, can help make them easier to see.
  • Organizational tools: Using administrative tools, such as label makers and high-contrast calendars, can help individuals with low vision stay organized.

Your Trusted Low Vision Care Expert

Low vision can be a challenging condition to live with, but with the proper care and support, patients can lead fulfilling and independent lives. Low-vision care professionals, including optometrists, ophthalmologists, and occupational therapists, can provide patients with the tools and resources to maximize their vision and maintain their quality of life. Suppose you or a loved one is living with low vision. In that case, it’s essential to seek out the care of a qualified low-vision specialist who can help you navigate the challenges of this condition and find the solutions that work best for you.

During your next appointment with the proficient team at Dr. Edward Paul, OD, Ph.D., of Wilmington, NC, you can be sure you are receiving the utmost care and guidance you and your unique situation deserve.

World Glaucoma Week

See Clearly into the Future: The Importance of World Glaucoma Week

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World Glaucoma Week is an annual event held every March to raise awareness about glaucoma, the leading cause of preventable irreversible blindness worldwide. The week is marked by special global awareness events and activities.

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, it is estimated that over 3 million Americans have glaucoma, but only about half of them are aware of their condition. This is why it is so important to spread awareness about glaucoma and the role that low vision doctors can play in helping those with the disease.

Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it can develop gradually and without symptoms until significant vision loss occurs. The most common type of glaucoma, called open-angle glaucoma, develops slowly over time and can be painless. In fact, many people with glaucoma do not experience any symptoms until they have already lost a significant amount of vision.

This is where our low vision doctors play a crucial role. We specialize in helping people with vision loss caused by a variety of conditions, including glaucoma. We help people with glaucoma manage their vision loss and continue to lead independent, fulfilling lives.

One of the main ways that we can help those with glaucoma at the Low Vision Centers of North Carolina is by providing low vision aids and devices. These can include special prescription binocular glasses (often bioptic telescopes) and other aids that help people with vision loss to see better. By using these aids and glasses, people with glaucoma can continue to read, watch TV, and perform other activities that they enjoy.

Our low vision doctors can also work with other healthcare providers to provide comprehensive care for those with glaucoma. This can include working with ophthalmologists, optometrists, and other specialists to ensure that people receive the best possible care for their condition and know all of their options.

If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma or are at risk for the disease, it is important to schedule regular eye exams with an eye doctor. This can help to detect glaucoma early and ensure that it is managed effectively. In addition to regular eye exams, our low vision doctors also provide specialized care for those with glaucoma.

To get the most out of your low vision doctor appointment, it is important to come prepared with questions and concerns. You may want to ask your low vision doctor about specific low vision aids and devices that can help you to see better.

Glaucoma doesn’t have to slow you down. Call our office today to schedule your glaucoma screening or low vision evaluation to learn about your options. 910-720-4187

Top Three Symptoms of Low Vision and How to Solve Them

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While many Americans may experience low vision, it does not mean you need to live with it. With technological developments and a knowledgeable team, even the most severe degeneration can be solved.

The team at the Low Vision Centers of North Carolina in Charlotte, NC is proud to serve three major communities with effective low-vision solutions.

What is Low Vision?

Low vision refers to a visual impairment that cannot be corrected by glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including age-related degeneration, injury, or disease. If you are experiencing low vision, it is important to speak with an eye doctor to determine the cause and to develop a treatment plan.

Difficulty Reading

One of the most common symptoms of low vision is difficulty reading. If you are having trouble reading small prints or seeing clearly at a normal reading distance, you may have low vision. To solve this problem, you may need to use special magnifying glasses or a magnifying device to help you see more clearly.

Troubled Periphery Vision

Another symptom of low vision is trouble with your peripheral vision, or the ability to see things to the side while looking straight ahead. If you have trouble seeing objects or people in your peripheral vision, you may have low vision. A certain device called a bioptic telescope can help you see more clearly in the periphery. Y

Myopia and Hyperopia

Low vision can also be caused by myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). Proper glasses and contact lenses are the primary solutions for these low-vision issues.

Your Local Quality Low Vision Care Team

If you are experiencing low vision, it is important to speak with an eye doctor to determine the cause and to develop a treatment plan. There are many different solutions available to help you manage your low vision, including glasses, contact lenses, special devices, and assistive technologies. During your appointment with the expert team at the Low Vision Centers of North Carolina in Charlotte, NC, you can be sure you are receiving the proper care and attention you deserve to improve your health and independence.

Top 3 Common Causes of Low Vision (And How to Correct Them)

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Low vision is a common issue that causes a lot of discomfort to many Americans for various reasons. While this may largely be due to aging, some common eye diseases or injuries can contribute to the rapid degeneration of your eyesight.

The Low Vision Centers of Charlotte, Wilmington and Asheville, NC, provide full and professional eye care services that can reduce degeneration and help to restore eyesight regardless of the issue.

What is Low Vision?

Low vision is more than just deteriorating eyesight, it is characterized by impaired vision that cannot be fixed with common methods, such as prescriptive lenses, medication, or surgery. Common causes of low vision are through certain eye diseases, such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, or cataracts.

How Low Vision is Often Formed

Aging

Low vision is attributed to aging but can go above and beyond this characterization. For example, certain acquired diseases such as glaucoma can develop throughout one’s life. Low vision can also come as a result of eye injuries, such as blunt trauma or infections.

Genetics

There are various diseases that are congenital ( present at birth) or develop throughout one’s life due to genetics. Common congenital diseases are cataracts, which are present at birth but may not become fully pronounced until later on in life. Optic atrophy is a condition that weakens the optic nerves within the eye and is mostly due to genetic inheritance.

Lifestyle

Your lifestyle has a large effect on low vision diseases. The most common one is macular degeneration, which is a loss of central vision. This is more common in those over 50, and those who eat diets high in saturated fat and have high blood pressure.

Low Vision Centers of Charlotte, Asheville and Wilmington, NC

Low vision does not go away on its own and becomes more pronounced the longer you hold off treatment. An appointment with the Low Vision Centers of Charlotte, Asheville or Wilmington, NC, ensures that you have the professional advice necessary for proper recommendations on your unique situation.

 

Understanding and Treating Low Vision

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Low vision makes it challenging to engage in everyday activities such as reading, driving, using the computer, and recognizing people’s faces. Traditional solutions for improving vision, such as prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, are ineffective in the treatment of low vision. Dr. Edward Paul offers low vision diagnosis and treatment in Asheville, Wilmington, and Charlotte, NC for people who have not responded well to traditional optometry solutions.

What Causes Low Vision?

Low vision typically occurs due to a medical condition affecting the eyes, such as macular degeneration. Dr. Paul is a well-respected authority on the diagnosis and treatment of this age-related eye condition. Macular degeneration is a disease of the eyes that causes blurring of the central vision. Other conditions that can lead to low vision include:

  • Cataracts: This condition develops when clumps of protein gather in the eye. Cataracts cause cloudy vision and are common as people age.
  • Diabetic retinopathy: Diabetes affects the blood vessels in the retina, and the condition can lead to significant vision loss or blindness if not detected and treated early.
  • Glaucoma: Damage to the optic nerves in the back of the eye causes this slowly progressive eye disease. One of the first symptoms is the inability to see people or objects to the side very well.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Vision

The first step in diagnosing a low vision condition is to undergo a dilated eye exam with Dr. Paul. He then explains your specific condition and learns more about your vision goals. Possible treatment options include using adaptive equipment to compensate for low vision, completing vision therapy, nutrition and lifestyle counseling, and modification of your home and work environments.

Living with a low vision condition can be frustrating, but The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina are here to help. Please schedule a low vision assessment in Asheville, Wilmington, or Charlotte, NC today.

 

Can I Stop My Low Vision From Getting Worse?  

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Low vision can have a big impact on your quality of life! By forcing changes to your lifestyle and personal habits, low vision can make hobbies and other beloved activities difficult or impossible.

If you know what causes low vision, and take steps to stop low vision from getting worse, you may help preserve your preferred lifestyle. If you believe that you have low vision, talk to your eye doctor in Wilmington, NC. Getting treatment is important!

What Causes Low Vision?

Low vision is caused by a variety of eye diseases. These conditions include:

  • Glaucoma
  • Cataracts
  • Macular degeneration
  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Retinal detachment
  • Amblyopia

Because different conditions can cause low vision, it always manifest the same in every patient. For example, some patients lose their peripheral vision, while others lose their central vision. Your eye doctor can help you identify the cause and type of low vision that you’re suffering from.

How Can You Stop Low Vision From Getting Worse?

The way your low vision is treated depends on the cause. Seeking treatment for the eye condition that you’re suffering from can help you maintain good vision for many years. In some cases, low vision can even be reversed.

For example, cataracts can be treated with a surgical procedure, if the condition becomes severe enough. Other types of low vision are permanent. One example of this is glaucoma, a condition that causes blindness if not properly treated. Once vision has been compromised by glaucoma, the damage cannot be reversed.

Get Treatment for Your Low Vision

Do you have low vision? Seek low vision treatment in Wilmington, NC. At Dr. Edward Paul, OD, PhD, we can help. Call today to make an appointment.

The Different Types of Low Vision and the Best Ways to Treat It

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Do you have low vision? An optometrist in Wilmington, NC will be able to look at your eyes and know immediately what issues you are having. It’s possible you have low vision, or you could be experiencing something else.

What Is Low Vision?

Low vision is when you have vision loss that can’t be corrected using traditional methods such as glasses, contact lenses, or even surgery. However, low vision isn’t considered blindness since you still have some level of vision.

Some of the symptoms of low vision might include blurred vision, poor night vision, or blind spots. And the most common causes of low vision are glaucoma, diabetes, and age-related macular degeneration. There are, however, visual aids available that can help those with low vision.

What Are the Different Types of Low Vision?

There are several types of low vision. The most common types of low vision are as follows:

  • Central Vision Loss – this is when you have a blind spot in the center of one of your eyes.
  • Loss of Peripheral Vision – peripheral vision is your side vision, and this is when you can’t see anything to either side, below, or above eye level; however, you still have your central vision intact.
  • Night Blindness – this is your inability to see in low light areas such as anywhere at night or in a movie theater, etc.
  • Blurred Vision – this is when everything you see near and far is blurred.
  • Hazy Vision – this is when all your vision appears as if it has a hazy film or glare on it.

What Are the Best Ways to Treat Low Vision?

Some vision disorders are treatable, and some are not. However, finding the right optometrist is key to getting cutting-edge treatments that work for most people. Dr. Edward Paul is such a doctor and is widely known for finding treatments for many so-called “incurable” eye diseases. Keep reading to find out how to contact Dr. Paul.

Contact an Optometrist in Wilmington, NC

If you are having low vision problems in Wilmington, NC, and need an optometrist’s diagnosis, we would be happy to help Contact The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina today.

What is Night Blindness?

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Night blindness (nyctalopia) is a condition in which you are unable to see well at night or in dim light. It is frequently linked to difficulty in swiftly adjusting from a well-lighted to a dimly lit environment. It is a sign of an underlying eye condition, such as low vision in Wilmington, NC, rather than a disease in and of itself. Night vision problems are widespread in persons who are myopic. However, this is not related to retinal disease, but rather to optical impairments.

What Goes on Inside the Eye in Low Light?

Your eyes adjust to light on a constant basis. When there is little or no light, your pupils dilate, allowing more light to enter your eyes. The retina, which is a tissue at the back of your eye that houses all of the rod and cone cells, receives this light. Color vision is aided by cone cells. Rod cells aid with night vision. You can’t see as well or at all in the dark if those rods aren’t operating properly due to a disease, injury, or condition.

Symptoms of Night Blindness

The following are some of the signs and symptoms of night blindness:

  • When driving after dark, your eyesight becomes blurry
  • When driving at night, you have unusual difficulty adjusting to the darkness
  • Having trouble seeing in dimly lit environments, such as your home or a movie theater
  • Excessive squinting at night
  • Reduced sensitivity to contrasting colors
  • Transitioning from bright to dark settings is slow and difficult
  • Walking at night and not being able to easily see pedestrians

Remember, night blindness is not a condition in and of itself. Frequently, it is a symptom of low vision. Visit The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina if you have symptoms related to night blindness or are having difficulties seeing in low light.

How Is VR Being Used to Treat Low Vision?

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When people think about virtual reality (VR), they’re likely to think about the technology being used in video games. However, VR offers more than just simulations. It can actually show the real world to people with poor eyesight. If you’re experiencing low vision in Charlotte, NC, see how these devices work.

Wearable Headsets

The headsets, which are currently similar to those used for video games, can be worn over the eyes and used for everyday activities. People with severe macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, or glaucoma may be able to use them to watch TV, visit with loved ones, or read a menu at a restaurant.

The technology has a digital magnifier and an Optical Character Recognition feature that can read words aloud. These are revolutionary benefits in a world where most people might need an organ transplant to have this kind of functionality. A qualified eye doctor in Charlotte, NC can tell you more about VR and how it’s progressing in the medical world.

That being said, the technology is still in its infancy, meaning there’s still some road to travel before the headsets become more universal. The good news is that there are companies working on incorporating this technology into standard sunglasses, glasses, and contacts, though again, much of this technology is still being developed.

Visit an Eye Doctor in Charlotte, NC

For anyone who suffers from low vision, new aids like VR can offer hope to anyone who wants to maintain their sense of independence. At The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina, our staff is here to assist patients who want to learn more about their options. Contact us today with any questions or concerns you might have about your low-vision and how our selection of aids might be able to help.

Should People With Low Vision Avoid UV Rays?

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If you have been diagnosed with low vision in Wilmington, NC, your vision is impaired to the point that it cannot be corrected by surgery, medication, or standard eyeglasses. Often caused by serious eye conditions such as macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, or by other conditions such as diabetes, it is nevertheless still very important that you protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Why? Here are the most common reasons.

Skin Cancer on Eyelids

When you hear of skin cancer, you rarely hear about it involving a person’s eyelids. Yet if you fail to protect your eyes from UV rays, developing skin cancer on your eyelids is a real possibility. When your eyes are constantly exposed to the sun, UV radiation could lead to the forming of basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, or squamous cell carcinoma on your eyelids. Symptoms include having a lump or bump on your eyelid that bleeds easily yet does not heal up, the sudden loss of your eyelashes, or eyelid inflammation.

Formation of Cataracts

A common problem for many people who are diagnosed with low vision, the forming of cataracts has been shown in research studies to be directly linked to prolonged exposure to UV light and radiation. Since cataracts can lead to total blindness if not properly treated, you should always protect your eyes from UV rays as much as possible to preserve whatever amount of sight you still possess.

With more and more new treatments being introduced for patients suffering from low vision in Charlotte, NC, it is even more important that you do everything possible to avoid having harmful UV rays do further damage to your eyes. By being proactive today, you may be able to preserve as much of your sight as possible for the years ahead.