The Consultation

A Low Vision consultation is different from other eye examinations. There will not be any tests of eye health that you would normally expect from your optometrist or ophthalmologist. You must continue to see your eye care specialist for monitoring of your eye health. The consultation will take 1-2 hours, which includes discussion on how your sight problem affects your daily life and establishing your priorities for improvements.

Please bring with you the following:

Any spectacles or magnifying glasses you may have, whether or not you are currently using them including sunglasses.
Any copies of reports from eye care specialists you may have.
Items of special interest you are currently having difficulty seeing such as music, embroidery, favourite bible etc
A list of medications you are currently using.

During the consultation various low vision devices are shown which are specific to the client’s needs in the following areas:

Near Viewing Tasks

Most people want to be able to continue to read independently.
Naomi Meltzer assesses the client’s ability to perform near viewing tasks e.g. reading newsprint, mail, medicine bottles, handcrafts. The client is encouraged to bring examples tasks they are finding difficult to the appointment.

Assistive devices such as lamps, hand held magnifiers, stand magnifiers, prismatic glasses or portable digital magnifiers will be trialled to establish the best solution for the client.

My personal measure of success is when the client can demonstrate to me their ability to read the small print in the newspaper and a telephone number from the phone book. I am proud of my 96% success rate measured this way.

Distance Viewing Tasks

Depending on the individual’s need several distance viewing devices which may help the individual with watching TV, seeing sporting events, identifying faces, seeing public transit numbers and traveling may be trialed.

These devices cannot generally be used for driving.

Glare Control

Commonly individuals who have vision loss suffer from the effects of glare from bright lights and sunlight. Specialized tinted and sunglass lenses are evaluated.

Contrast Sensitivity

Many eye conditions and neurological problems cause a decrease in contrast sensitivity, the ability to detect objects such as print standing out from the background. Contrast sensitivity will be assessed and solutions to enhance contrast demonstrated.

I believe that by providing information and showing what is available if needed in the future, I can help to reduce anxiety.