Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Low Vision Definitions
• Vision Rehabilitation Services
• Low Vision Exam
• Cost of Services
• Regaining Independence
• Low Vision Referrals

Low Vision Definitions

What is low vision? What does it mean to be partially sighted?

Low vision is a significant reduction of visual function that cannot be corrected to the normal range by ordinary glasses, contact lenses, medical treatment and/or surgery. People are considered partially sighted if their best-corrected visual acuity is 20/70 or less in their good eye. Even when wearing regular corrective lenses, partially sighted people cannot read standard newsprint, or see expressions on a person's face. There are approximately 4.3 million Americans who have been diagnosed as partially sighted. An estimated 8-10 million more Americans report vision problems that interfere with their ability to perform daily activities without help.

Are partially sighted people considered blind?

If a person's best corrected visual acuity is 20/200 or less, or if their visual field is no more than 20 degrees, the person is defined as legally blind. The absence of any usable vision is called functional blindness or total blindness. Only about 1 in 10 people who are visually impaired are functionally blind. The majority of legally blind people have usable vision and are partially sighted.

Vision Rehabilitation Services

What is vision rehabilitation?

Vision rehabilitation is a comprehensive set of services, including optometric, counseling and rehabilitation programs, that help people with low vision regain a sense of independence. Low vision optometrists help those with vision loss to see better, even when surgery, medications, and conventional glasses no longer improve sight, by designing and prescribing optical aids to help the person read, write, watch television and manage daily living activities. The vision loss is permanent but the ability to perform daily living tasks with impaired vision is learned or relearned through our rehabilitation program.

Vision loss is frightening. How can I cope?

A significant vision loss presents a challenge to everyone. You may feel alone. The Center provides a number of forums for individuals to meet with licensed clinical therapists to address emotional needs. Counselors meet with individuals and their families. Or, a person can participate in a support group with other partially sighted people to discuss needs, problems and successes. Additionally, rehabilitation programs teach daily living skills, such as safe travel in the community.

Low Vision Exam

How does a low vision exam differ from a regular eye exam?

A regular eye exam concentrates on diagnosing eye disease. A low vision exam focuses on designing specialized glasses and low vision devices to enhance remaining vision. A low vision exam, sometimes called a functional vision assessment, evaluates vision functioning and the effect it has on daily living activities, such as reading the newspaper or cooking. After an interview helps to determine the person’s visual goals, a low vision specialist performs a detailed visual analysis. Distance vision is evaluated using telescopic aids. High-powered microscopic spectacle lenses, telemicroscopic aids and hand or stand magnifiers may be used to evaluate near vision skills, like reading. Special eye charts are used and lighting levels are evaluated. This analysis can take as long as one hour. In addition, instruction in the proper use of devices can take ½ hour and may be repeated before aids are prescribed. Many agencies provide a loaner program so individuals can borrow aids to try them out. After the vision exam, the individual may be referred to other professionals who work with visually impaired persons, such as mobility instructors.

Can't my regular ophthalmologist or optometrist do this?

Presently, fewer than 5% of all eye doctors specialize in low vision. Though there are some ophthalmologists that specialize in low vision, most low vision specialists are optometrists. Effective low vision rehabilitation requires expertise and technology for the thorough evaluation of visual function as well as full access to available optical and electronic low vision devices. Additionally, the Center offers a comprehensive rehabilitation program, including counseling and instruction in independent living and safe travel skills, that is not offered by ophthalmologists or optometrists.

Cost of Services

Is there a charge for these services?

Charges vary depending on who is providing the services and their level of expertise. Low vision services are offered by private doctors and by non-profit agencies. The non-profit Center for the Partially Sighted, staffed by highly trained specialists, charges for some services while others are offered for free. Fees can, however, be adjusted on a sliding scale, based on ability to pay. In addition, Project VIP provides low-cost or no-cost vision rehabilitation services for people who are low-income or under-insured.

Our charge for the initial two-hour low vision examination, the basis of the treatment plan prescribed by the professional team, is $200. Medicare and Medi-Cal may cover a portion of this optometric exam and some of the psychological services provided by the Center. Remaining fees can be placed on a sliding scale, based on ability to pay. There is no charge for most of the counseling and rehabilitation training services that a person receives after the low vision exam. We estimate that our average client receives about $800 worth of direct service for their initial investment. Client fees account for only about 15% of our annual operating budget. Corporations, foundations and individual donations make up the balance of our funding.

Regaining Independence

Tell me how I can function independently.

Low vision aids, counseling and rehabilitation services can all help a person regain a sense of independence. Optical aids include prescribed devices often specially created by the doctor to help reach an individual's visual goals. Electronic devices, such as the closed circuit television (CCTV) or computer software, enlarge print or pictures on a screen. Non-optical vision aids include: signature or check writing guides; large print checks and calendars; talking calculators, talking watches and alarm clocks; and talking scales or thermometers, to name only a few. Independent living skills training, done in the person’s home or in a class setting, and mobility training in the person’s community or office setting, all contribute to this sense of independence.

Can all this help a person remain independent?

So much information is communicated visually - signs, textbooks, menus, sales receipts, etc. Visually impaired people struggle with communications barriers that prevent them from gathering and using information. By helping people include remaining vision in their repertoire of resources, low vision devices coupled with rehabilitation techniques do allow individuals with vision loss to work, to shop, to study and to perform daily living tasks independently.

Does modern technology help visually impaired people?

Magnification, contrast and lighting can help maximize a person's remaining sight. New technology allows a person to control the size of the print they are reading, to adjust the contrast and color, and increase the brightness. For example, the closed circuit television (CCTV) allows the user to project any document or picture on to a screen and to magnify the document and adjust the contrast. Hand-held scanners and head-mounted devices perform a similar function as the CCTV, but use small cameras to place an image in front of your eyes or on a portable LCD screen. Large print and screen reading programs for computers are a tremendous resource. Advances in lighting technology have helped, as well.

Low Vision Referrals

Where can I find a low vision specialist outside of Southern California?

The Center for the Partially Sighted welcomes people of all ages from all over the world. If you are unable to travel to the Center, you can call American Foundation for the Blind at 800-232-5463 or The Lighthouse, Inc. at 800-334-5497 for referrals to low vision specialists in your area.

Last Updated: Friday, November 18th, 2005 at 18:56:34 Back to top