Description
Low vision services have become an increasingly covered subject in optometric and vision related literature. More and more, authors are calling for practitioners to offer low vision services to their patients. John W. Potter, O.D., recently appealed to optometrists, " ... to think more of low vision care in your daily practice, then perhaps you will participate more in the cooperative and collaborative practice of low vision, even if you do not provide the care directly yourself." The need for the service is present now and will expand the surge in population of older people who are visually impaired. Visual impairment and blindness can have many causes. But when nothing can be done medically or surgically, it is important that the patient be made aware of the option of low vision rehabilitation. Though the causes of blindness and visual impairment are varied, experts agree that the numbers are increasing and eye care professionals should be prepared to offer some form of low vision service, be it referral to a low vision practitioner or special agency, simple low vision aids or specialization in low vision rehabilitation.
