When conventional glasses can no longer help and surgery or medical treatment is not appropriate, then it’s time to consider low vision aids. Whether you suffer from macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy or cataracts, you can enjoy a more complete life with a little help from our product range.

What is low vision?

Low vision is when a person’s sight can’t necessarily be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Low vision doesn’t develop just because of old age. Your vision can get worse as a result of cataracts, age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.

According to the RNIB, around 2 million people have significant sight loss in the UK.
Very few people have complete ‘black’ blindness, so any residual vision (remaining eyesight) needs to be maximised. People often go to a clinic hoping that a pair of glasses will fix their vision, but this may not always be possible. Low vision is treated by maximising the patient’s eyesight beyond what glasses or contact lenses can achieve.

What is a Low Vision Aid?

A low-vision aid can be one of the following:

·        An optical low-vision aid, such as illuminated magnifiers, hand-held magnifiers or flat magnifiers. Aids for viewing faraway objects include monoculars and binoculars.

·        A non-optical low-vision aid, which includes everything from an anglepoise lamp, to bold-print books or liquid level indicators. These beep to stop you burning yourself when using hot water.

During a low-vision assessment, your optometrist will try different magnifiers to see what works for you. For example, they will work out if you need help for sewing, reading music, doing a crossword or reading the headlines in a newspaper.

If we find you have a problem that cannot be helped without our visual aids, you’ll be referred to hospital to see an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Your GP will be kept informed, and will give you extra support and advice if you need it.

They will also assess you to see if you are eligible to be registered as partially sighted or blind.