Low Vision Specialists in Arizona
Find the Care You Need for Low Vision at Nationwide Vision
Are you experiencing blurry vision? Is it causing you to not see well enough to do everyday tasks like reading and driving? You may be suffering from low vision. Low vision is most often a symptom, not a condition on its own. It is common in individuals suffering from eye conditions like age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, or glaucoma. Even if you are suffering from changes in your vision, it’s not too late to get an eye exam from our team of Arizona low vision specialists and begin your road to recovery.
See a Nationwide Vision Low Vision Specialist
At Nationwide Vision, we strive to provide our patients with the best care we can give. Each of our offices uses cutting-edge technology and treatments to help diagnose, repair, and treat low vision conditions.
We are conveniently located throughout the state of Arizona. Find us in Phoenix, Scottsdale, San Tan Valley, Tuscan, and other cities throughout the Grand Canyon state. Discover which of our offices is closest to you!
What Is Low Vision?
Individuals with low vision can have visual fields that include blind spots, poor night vision, and blurry sight. It is important to note that two individuals with low vision may experience different symptoms and varying degrees of the same symptom. Low vision is unable to be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or surgery. Low vision is diagnosed in individuals with a visual acuity worse than 20/70 and sight that cannot be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Low vision can be caused by several different conditions that are both genetic and environmental:
Macular degeneration
Diabetes/Diabetic retinopathy
Glaucoma
Cataracts
Retinitis pigmentosa
Inherited diseases
Eye injury
Types of Low Vision
There are a few different variations of low vision and each one can create unique challenges and vision loss.
Central vision loss - a blind spot in the center of the visual field
Peripheral vision loss - loss of side vision in either one or both eyes or loss of top and bottom vision in one or both eyes
Night blindness - the inability to see in poorly lit areas such as outside at night or in movie theaters
Blurry - objects near and far are out of focus
Hazy vision - the field of vision appears to be covered in a film or haze
Risk Factors for Low Vision
Low Vision is most common in adults over age 45 and can be even worse for adults over the age of 75. Low vision is caused by a variety of eye conditions and eye injuries. For example, diabetes may cause diabetic retinopathy which will place an individual at an increased risk of developing low vision. Other common causes of low vision are macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. Macular degeneration is a disorder that affects the retina, and its cause is largely unknown, but age is a primary contributor as is smoking and nutrition.
Cataracts occur when part or all the lens in the eye is clouded. They can be caused by genetics, long term exposure to UV radiation, and disease. Glaucoma occurs when there is increased pressure in the eye caused by problems with fluid drainage. Glaucoma will then cause damage to the optic nerve and the first signs of glaucoma are difficulty with night vision and loss or change in peripheral vision.
How is Low Vision Diagnosed?
Low vision is defined as having less than 20/70 eyesight; therefore, a standard dilated eye exam can diagnose the condition. This exam is painless, and your eye care provider will ask you to read letters while they conduct a visual evaluation. They may also check your peripheral vision during the exam. Your doctor may also dilate your eyes to check for eye diseases and conditions that cause low vision. If you’re over the age of 60, you should have your eyes checked regularly. Visit Nationwide Vision to get an eye exam to inspect if anything is wrong or could be wrong with your eyes.
Schedule a Low Vision Exam at Nationwide Vision
If you’re having trouble with your sight or worried you may have low vision or an underlying vision condition, call Nationwide Vision to schedule an eye exam today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Low Vision
It is possible to have low vision and be legally blind. To be considered legally blind your vision is 20/200 or below out of your better eye or, your field of vision is less than 20 degrees. This means that if an object is 200 feet away, you would have to be 20 feet from it to see it clearly. Those diagnosed with low vision have a visual acuity equal to or above 20/70 vision.
Because of the two eye condition’s different diagnostic criteria, most individuals with low vision are not considered legally blind. It is possible for legal blindness can occur if the symptom is not addressed making it very important to schedule an eye exam when you start to notice changes in your vision.
There are a number of things you can do to manage your low vision. Having a quality diet, exercise, getting enough rest, avoiding smoking, and having regular eye exams can all help people manage their low vision. Visual rehabilitation is commonly used to help those suffering with low vision. Your low vision specialist with Nationwide Optometry will help you to develop a visual rehabilitation plan that may include use of low vision devices such as magnifying lenses. In order to determine what vision devices you may require they will first conduct an evaluation to understand your needs and then a visual assessment to comprehend your vision. From there you will begin your rehabilitation which might include use of low vision devices or environment adjustments.
Nationwide Vision has locations throughout the state of Arizona. The Doctors of Nationwide Optometry are knowledgeable about low vision and can perform various kinds of eye examinations. If you’re experiencing signs of low vision, be sure to schedule an appointment at your closest Nationwide Vision for an eye exam as quickly as possible.
Find a Nationwide Vision Eye Care Center Near You
The trusted team of highly trained Arizona eye doctors at Nationwide Vision focus on maintaining the health of your eyes. We offer comprehensive eye care services including routine eye exams, preventative care, and treatment of complex conditions.