Low vision is an invisible disease. It is often hard for friends and family members to appreciate the difficulties that are related to low vision, as they can't see the problem. When trying to explain, a person might say that he is blind, even though he still has useable vision, because he doesn't have the language to inform others. People with decreased hearing are not deaf, just hard of hearing. But have you ever heard anyone say they were hard of seeing?

 

At the Florence Maxwell Low Vision Clinic, our goal is to help those people who are hard of seeing to develop the skills, education and tools to remain as independent as possible to enhance all aspects of daily living skills and to gain an improved quality of life.

 

People will often say, "I am not that bad." Yet how bad does one have to be? It has been documented in research that the earlier a person receives low vision services, the better the outcomes, and the less the chance of onset of depression, and the easier it is to resume a good quality of life.

 

If someone has a hip or knee replacement, he would naturally see a therapist to regain strength, learn exercises, and obtain tools to resume independence. It is the same process with decreased vision. It is important that you see a low vision specialist, a low vision Optometrist, Certified Low Vision Therapist, or an Occupational Therapist as well as a social worker, so that they provide the help you need to resume independence.

 

You may have tried different solutions in the past, but nothing worked. It may have been because the tools weren't correct for your vision or that they weren't being used the proper way. Let us use our expertise in helping you to achieve your goals, enhance your independence and improve your quality of life.  Ask your eye doctor or any of the staff at the Eye Center, and they will make arrangements for you to meet with someone who can help you work with your low vision.