Low Vision Aids Offer Improvement in Sight for Millions

Smart Ways to Sell Smart Glass Products

Bryan Wolynski, ODGlasses On First, New York, NY

Initially, I give my low vision patients a ten-minute overview on the phone. When they come in, we do a 90-minute consultation. For example, they may need thicker glasses or magnifiers. Updating their Rx is the easiest solution or increased lighting, for example, with a yellow LED filter for glaucoma patients. We may introduce a telescope for distance. I show them available devices. New technology like OrCam includes AI. Their MyEye attaches to glasses and helps with reading and facial recognition. You can hold their Read device like a pen and push a button for the software to read the text. These devices speak to the patient so there’s no eye fatigue and they’re listening to the information.

Katelyn Jordan, ODBrooks Rehabilitation Center Of Low Vision, Jacksonville, FL

Typically patients are referred to us by ophthalmologists who have diagnosed their eye disease but can’t treat it with medicine. We see what we can do to increase the patient’s remaining vision. We discuss what the patient wants to do and identify where the difficulties are, e.g., if there is a head tremor or a weakness in the hand. We use special charts to get an accurate idea of their vision at different distances. Some glasses and specialty CLs can create significant improvement. Hand-held magnifiers and telescopes are easy-to-use and inexpensive but only work at one distance. Stand magnifiers can be good for reading and a Kindle, for example, can enlarge letters and offer contrast. One of the most versatile devices is eSight. You can walk with it, connect it to a computer, and watch TV. Its price has come down and it is more comfortable to wear.