Do you have trouble reading the newspaper even with your glasses on? Do you often bump into things? Do you have trouble moving about at night? When you pay with cash, is it hard to read the denomination on the bill? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may have low vision. Here's advice you can use.
Performing household chores, reading, driving, recognizing the face of a family member -- daily activities that the average person takes for granted -- are tasks that can be difficult to accomplish when you have low vision. But vision rehabilitation specialists can teach you new ways to complete these and other day-to-day tasks, often with the aid of low-vision devices, such as magnifiers, electronic reading systems, and specially adapted computers.
Although Medicare has covered low-vision services performed by an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or occupational therapist since 2002, the number of service providers is limited, leaving many people without needed help. The Low Vision Demonstration Project offers some relief by expanding Medicare’s coverage to include services provided by low-vision therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, and vision rehabilitation therapists.
These specialists must work under the supervision of an ophthalmologist or optometrist, and they must be certified by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP). Although these changes represent a major step forward in meeting the needs of people with low vision, the major shortcoming -- at least for now -- is that the projects are limited to people who reside in one of the six demonstration sites: Kansas, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Washington state, New York City (all five boroughs), or Atlanta, Georgia.
If you live in one of the six areas involved in the project, contact your local Medicare office and ask how to take advantage of the program. The National Council of Private Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired (www.ncpabvi.org; or call 866-645-2449) can also identify participating agencies in each area.
If you do not live in one of the six demonstration areas, low vision rehabilitation services are available but be aware that some may not be covered by Medicare or private insurance. Your eye doctor is a good resource for the rehabilitation services in your area.
Another option is to go to www.visionconnection.org to use the “VisionConnection Help Near You Locator,” which was put together in partnership with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Optometric Association, and Lighthouse International. The locator will help you find low-vision rehab professionals nearby. Another resource is the American Foundation for the Blind website (www.afb.org), which lists low-vision service organizations in each state.
