If you’ve recently been told you have low vision, or you’ve been struggling to see even with the latest glasses or medical treatments, you probably have a lot of questions. That’s completely understandable.
At Seattle Low Vision, one of the first things I tell people is that low vision care isn’t about focusing on what you’ve lost. It’s about discovering what vision you still have and finding practical ways to help you use it more effectively.
Below are answers to some of the questions I hear most often.
What is low vision?
In practical terms, low vision means your eyesight isn’t good enough to do the things you want or need to do, and regular glasses, contact lenses, surgery, or medication can’t fully correct it.
You may have trouble reading, recognizing faces, watching television, using a computer, navigating unfamiliar places, or enjoying hobbies you’ve always loved. While your eye condition may not be reversible, there are often ways to make better use of your remaining vision.
How is a low vision optometrist different from my other eye doctors?
Your ophthalmologist or primary eye doctor focuses on diagnosing and treating eye disease and protecting your eye health. As a low vision optometrist, my focus is different.
I have specialized training in the optics and physics of high-powered lenses and advanced optical systems. That means I understand how magnification, field of view, working distance, and depth of focus affect your ability to perform everyday tasks.
Rather than simply prescribing stronger glasses, I customize low vision glasses and recommend specialized optical devices based on your personal goals. Just as importantly, I take the time to explain every option clearly and help both you and your family understand what to expect.
What causes low vision?
Many eye conditions can result in low vision. While your diagnosis is important, my primary focus is helping you accomplish the activities that matter most with the vision you still have.
Some of the more common conditions I see include:
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Stargardt disease
- Glaucoma
- Ocular albinism
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Stroke-related vision loss
- Rod-cone dystrophy
This isn’t a complete list. Many other eye conditions can also lead to low vision. In order to prescribe helpful solutions, there does need to be some usable vision remaining.
Can young people have low vision?
Absolutely.
Although many people associate low vision with aging, children, teens, and younger adults can also experience low vision. Several inherited or early-onset eye conditions can affect vision throughout life.
No matter your age, a low vision evaluation can help identify tools and strategies that improve independence at school, work, or home.
How is a low vision evaluation different from a routine eye exam?
A low vision evaluation is much more focused on how you use your vision every day.
The appointment typically lasts about an hour or longer. We begin with a detailed conversation about your goals. Maybe you want to read books again, recognize faces more easily, work on the computer, enjoy television, or continue hobbies that have become difficult.
From there, I perform a careful refraction and specialized vision testing to determine whether a different standard prescription offers any improvement.
We then demonstrate a variety of specialized devices and techniques, including:
- High-powered reading lenses
- Prismatic lens systems
- Telescopic devices
- Contrast-enhancing filters
- Task-specific lighting recommendations
The goal is to identify solutions that match your lifestyle—not just improve letters on an eye chart.
Do vitamins help low vision?
For certain people with age-related macular degeneration, large clinical studies such as AREDS and AREDS2 have shown that specific nutritional supplements may help slow disease progression.
However, these supplements are only appropriate for certain types and stages of macular degeneration. Whether they’re right for you depends on your diagnosis and overall health.
Always discuss vitamins or supplements with your eye care team before starting anything new.
How do I know if custom low vision glasses will help me?
One of the best parts of a low vision evaluation is that you don’t have to guess.
During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to try different devices and lens designs while performing real-life tasks that matter to you.
Depending on your needs, you may test:
- Telescopic systems
- Microscopic reading lenses
- Prismatic lenses
- Contrast filters
I want you to experience the potential benefits before making a decision. That way, you’ll have a realistic understanding of how the devices may help in your daily life.
What if my vision changes after I receive my low vision glasses?
Vision can change over time, especially if your underlying eye condition progresses.
If you notice a meaningful change, I recommend checking in with your medical eye care provider first to ensure your eye health is stable. Once everything has been evaluated, we can reassess your prescription and determine whether adjustments to magnification or lens design will improve your results.
In many situations, we can modify your existing system without replacing every component.
What happens during a low vision evaluation with Dr. Ross Cusic?
Every evaluation begins with a conversation about your goals.
You might want to:
- Read books or newspapers again
- Recognize faces more easily
- Use a computer comfortably
- Watch television
- Navigate outdoors with greater confidence
- Continue driving where appropriate and legally permitted
After measuring your vision carefully, we’ll determine whether a standard prescription provides any improvement.
From there, I’ll demonstrate customized optical solutions that may include:
- Task-specific reading glasses
- Bioptic telescopes
- Full-diameter telescopes for distance spotting
- Contrast filters
- Other specialized low vision devices tailored to your daily activities
My goal is always the same: helping you make the most of the vision you have so you can continue doing the things that matter most.
You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
Living with low vision can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it by yourself.
At Seattle Low Vision, we take the time to understand your goals, answer your questions, and recommend solutions designed specifically for your lifestyle. Every person experiences vision loss differently, which is why personalized care makes such a difference.
If you’re finding that everyday activities have become more difficult despite regular eye care, a low vision evaluation may open the door to options you didn’t know were available.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ross Cusic to learn how customized low vision care can help you regain confidence and make better use of your remaining vision.