Low Vision Blog

Microcurrent stimulation (MCS) has been used for many years to treat muscular conditions, sports injuries, chronic pain, and bone fractures.   MCS works by administering precise amounts of electrical current through a battery operated device that delivers low-intensity electricity.  This stimulation is thought to increase blood flow to the surrounding tissue.  As a result the area […]

If you have a parent or loved one going through vision loss, you aren’t alone. In fact, it’s estimated that nearly 3.5 million Americans over the age of 40 have some degree of vision loss, often from age-related conditions. In addition to the home and lifestyle adjustments that must be made when one receives this […]

It seems that those with retinal disorders like macular degeneration are very familiar with the need for magnification for close up work – like reading, writing bills, and performing hobbies.  Reading magnifiers are usually the first visual aid obtained by those with low vision.   However, there is less awareness for the need to magnify distance […]

Have you noticed that on some days your vision is more clear and on other days the blurriness seems to be worse?   One person with early dry AMD shares his experience, “Sometimes my vision is as clear as can be, but on some days (seems to be more on less sunny days with lots of […]

My 89 year old father-in-law has wet macular degeneration in both eyes. He has trouble reading when he is away from home if he doesn’t bring his lighted magnifier with him. But he won’t. So when he is at a medical office, store, restaurant, etc and he has to read or look at a form […]

My father-in-law who has wet AMD in both eyes has blind spots, loss of depth perception and loss of contrast sensitivity just like other patients with advanced AMD. These visual losses have compromised his safety and his mobility. We have suggested that he see a mobility specialist and get trained in the use of a […]

At my most recent yearly eye exam I was asked if I wanted to pay more and not have my eyes dilated for the retinal exam.  I declined, had my eyes dilated and all was well.  Next time I’m asked that question, I may give a different answer.  That’s because there’s lots more reasons to […]

When someone has been diagnosed with macular degeneration the most common symptom that comes to mind is the loss of straight ahead or the center part of one’s vision.  This vision loss affects one’s ability to read or to recognize a familiar face.  But there are other changes that can also affect one’s quality of […]

There are many established risk factors for developing macular degeneration.  However, up until now there has not been a tool to analyze not only one’s risk factors, like age, gender, lifestyle and family history, but also to combine that information with clinical reports, such as the presence of macular drusen or the density of the […]

Today’s electronic screens from flat TVs to tablets to smart phones all emit blue light.   Light, and especially blue light contributes to eye strain, the development of macular degeneration and to sleep disturbances.   Sleep Disturbances According to Harvard Medical School’s  Health Publications, “ …not all colors of light have the same effect.  Blue wavelengths […]