The International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS) may sound like an educational institution, but it actually refers to a network of low-vision specialists. These are professionals who have devoted themselves to helping people with severe vision loss lead a more independent lifestyle.

Why Visit a Member of the Academy?

The IALVS community has committed themselves to a specialty. Unlike a standard optometrist, a low-vision specialist in Wilmington, NC has the skills and the education to recommend tailored solutions based on the patient’s request. Plus, they have a full network to call upon if they need additional support.

What Can I Expect from a Member of the Academy?

The biggest benefit of seeing a low-vision specialist is the ability to discuss your lifestyle and the changes you want to make. Eye disorders, like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, have enough overlapping symptoms that it’s not always easy for eye doctors to draw a straight line to sharper vision. Add in medical injuries, like stroke or brain trauma, the problem can get that much fuzzier.

A specialist not only understands the underlying causes, but they also witness how the symptoms of each disorder run the gamut. In other words, they know that the consequences of double vision while reading are very different from blurry vision when driving.

If you’ve been working with eye doctors without seeing the results you want, consider teaming up with the staff at The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina. As members of the IALVS, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with your current team in Wilmington, NC, whether it’s a retina specialist, occupational therapist, geriatric specialist, or primary care physician.