12911 120th Ave NE G105, Kirkland, WA 98034
Find answers to common questions about low vision care, services, and what to expect during your visit.
In practical terms, low vision means your sight isn’t good enough to do the things you want to do, and regular glasses, contacts, surgery, or medication can’t fully correct it.
Many eye conditions can limit vision. While the diagnosis is important, our focus is on what you want to see and do, and how much usable vision you have to work with. Common conditions we see include:
– Macular degeneration (dry and wet)
– Stargardt disease
– Glaucoma
– Ocular albinism
– Retinitis pigmentosa
– Diabetic retinopathy
– Stroke-related field loss (hemianopsia)
– Rod cone dystrophy
– This isn’t a complete list. We do need some usable vision to prescribe helpful solutions.
Yes, low vision can affect young folks, too. Several eye conditions that begin early in life can lead to low vision, including:
Stargardt Disease (Juvenile Macular Degeneration)
Nystagmus (involuntary eye movement)
High Astigmatism (causing blurred distance and near vision)
Congenital Cataracts (a rare birth defect)
Achromatopsia (color blindness or severe color deficiency)
Rod-Cone Dystrophy
Strabismus (crossed eyes)
Amblyopia (lazy eye)
Young people with low vision often want to see the board clearly at school, read comfortably, and gain visual independence for driving and daily activities. Early diagnosis and customized low vision aids can make a significant difference in maintaining visual function and confidence.
The visit is longer (often around an hour or more) and centered on function- what you want to be able to do.
We start with a detailed conversation to understand your goals (“wish list”) and daily tasks.
We perform careful refraction and targeted vision testing to see if a new “regular” prescription helps.
Then we demonstrate specialty optics and strategies—such as contrast filters, task-specific lighting, prismatic and high-add readers, and telescopic systems—to find the best match for your goals.
Referrals are welcome but not required. If you’re under active medical management, we’ll coordinate with your eye doctors to keep everyone aligned.
Contact Seattle Low Vision at tel:(425) 823-2020 to schedule your free phone consultation with Dr. Cusic. If you’re outside the Greater Seattle area, look at the doctor directory on the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists website.
Low vision optometrists are trained in the physics and optics of high-powered lenses and lens systems. We understand magnification, field of view, working distance, and depth of focus- and how those factors translate to real-life tasks.
We prescribe custom low vision glasses and select tools to fit your goals, and we take the time to explain options with empathy and clarity for you and your family.
Large clinical studies (like AREDS/AREDS2) show certain supplements can slow progression in specific types of age-related macular degeneration. Whether they’re appropriate for you depends on your diagnosis and overall health. Please discuss supplements with your eye care team before starting anything new.
You’ll share your goals (for example: reading, seeing faces, computer work, television, navigating outside, and even driving where permitted).
We’ll measure your vision thoughtfully and confirm whether a standard prescription helps.
Dr. Cusic will prescribe and demonstrate customized lens solutions such as bioptic or full-diameter telescopes for spotting, task-specific readers for near work, and filters to improve comfort and contrast tailored to your priorities and daily activities.
Please refer early. Don’t wait until vision declines to the most severe levels. Ideal referrals are motivated people who still have usable vision and clear goals for daily activities that have become difficult (for example: reading, watching TV, recognizing faces, using a computer, navigating outdoors, school/work tasks, and even driving where permitted).
As a guideline, we commonly see referrals across a wide range of acuity (approximately 20/40 to 20/400 and beyond), provided there is functional vision to work with.
Typical diagnoses include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, ocular albinism, stroke-related field loss, and rod–cone dystrophy—but diagnosis alone doesn’t determine eligibility. Functional goals do.
Use our streamlined referral form on the Referring Doctors page, or send a brief clinical summary with the patient’s goals and best-corrected acuity. We’ll take it from there.
After receiving your referral, Dr. Cusic contacts the patient for a complimentary screening call to ensure the visit is appropriate and to align on goals before scheduling.
Both. Collaborative care is central to successful outcomes. Whether you’re managing medical eye disease or primary vision care, an early referral for task-focused optics can help preserve quality of life while you continue medical management.
We communicate back with your office after the evaluation and upon dispense, so everyone stays aligned.
We begin with a complimentary screening call to confirm fit. Before any appointment is scheduled, we review fees, expectations, and next steps so there are no surprises.
Many people use HSA/FSA funds; we accept major credit cards. Financing options are available. If cost is a concern, refer anyway- the initial screening helps ensure appropriateness without an upfront commitment.
