UW Department of Ophthalmology: LOW VISION CARE

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University of Washington Department of Ophthalmology

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	Low Vision Care at University of Washington Medical Center A person may be considered to have low vision when their vision is reduced because of any one of several conditions, to the point where they can no longer comfortably read normal-sized outside signs or reading materials. This decrease in vision may be permanent or sometimes reversible. Under these low vision circumstances, regular eyeglasses held at normal distances may no longer be sufficient to allow someone to drive or even to read big-print materials, but there are numerous other approaches which may be beneficial. At the University of Washington, patients who have such problems can be evaluated in a clinic outside UWMC by low vision providers Michael E. Lee, MD, or Robert W. Nash, MD. These two physicians share the responsbility of seeing patients on alternate Friday afternoon clinics held at the Northgate offices of Community Services for the Blind and Partially Sighted (Address: 9709 3rd Ave NE, Ste 100 -- Seattle WA 98115 -- Telephone: (206) 525-5556). Individuals are given not only a thorough vision examination but are also evaluated in terms of their lifestyle needs and how these may be solved. The clinic requires an appointment in advance; appointments are usually available within two to three weeks once a client's eye records and referral are received. The clinic is open to anyone who wishes to make an appointment for an evaluation (up to 2 hours) and a follow-up. The clinic also operates Wednesdays and Thursdays with an optometrist specializing in low vision, and low vision training specialists who teach clients how to use the recommended aids. Mechanical aids that may be prescribed include magnifiers, either in the form of eyeglasses or as hand-held or stand-alone devices, whose power is matched to the individual's needs and desires. They may also include closed-circuit TV setups, which can be used on a stand to greatly magnify printed material, or occasionally as head-borne units which can assist mobility. Clinic clients may try most suggested devices at home through the clinic's loaner program before making a purchase from the agency's store, SightConnection, located at the agency office. In addition to visual aids, SightConnection carries more than 200 practical products for living with vision loss. The walk-in store is open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday-Friday, is also online, and offers secure transactions. The agency is open from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday-Friday, and provides a broad variety of free resource information in a number of accessible formats. Other personnel who are available to assist in this location include social workers, orientation and mobility specialists, independent living rehabilitation specialists, and an assistive technology specialist. A volunteer matching program is also available. The agency website provides a detailed overview of services and also includes many information resources and links to other relevant sites.

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