Arizona Low Vision Specialists Can Help with Macular Degeneration Vision Symptoms

As we age, we face a greater risk of developing macular degeneration, which is caused by a thinning or wasting away of the central portion of the retina, known as the macula. The result of this common medical condition is that the central vision is diminished or lost, which is where detail vision is located. Arizona residents who suffer from low vision due to this or other medical conditions will want to visit Arizona Low vision specialists. These low vision doctors can help you maximize your remaining vision so that you can continue to perform the activities you enjoy.

There are several steps that Arizona Low vision specialists will take to help improve your visual acuity. They will give you a complete vision exam of the external and internal parts of the eye. They will also find out what vision goals you have, and will provide education for you concerning what options are available to improve your fields of vision.

If your doctor discovers that you are in the early stages of this medical condition, he or she may recommend some dietary changes to help slow the progression of the condition. Lutein, zinc, vitamins A, C, and E have been shown to slow the dry form of this condition. Foods like kale, collard greens, spinach, swiss chard, beet greens and mustard greens also contain these nutrients, and can be eaten in addition to taking supplements.

Low vision specialists will likely also prescribe low visionaids and will show you how to use them. Arizona Low vision specialists could recommend you use a variety of magnifiers. Some are as simple as a hand-held magnifier, while others consist of a magnifier on a stand or magnifiers that are worn on glasses.

Telescopes are another vision aid recommended by low vision doctors. Bioptic glasses have special tiny telescopes placed on the glass lenses of your glass frames. They function a bit like bifocals, in that you can tip your head to look through the telescope for improving visual acuity at distances, or you can look through the rest of the lens, which is filled with a prescription appropriate for your peripheral vision. Although this type of macular problem affects the central vision, the peripheral vision remains unharmed, and thus would not ordinarily need any special visual help. Some individuals with low vision have been able to resume driving with the use of bioptic glasses.
Experienced Arizona Low vision specialists can diagnose and treat macular degeneration, and can offer the best counsel on the types of vision aids that will help you meet your vision goals. Your doctor will work with you to come up with a treatment plan designed to fit your unique needs and help to preserve your current eyesight.