February is Low Vision Month
February is Low Vision Month. Jerry Hutch demonstates some of the devices to aid Veterans with low vision.
February is AMD and Low Vision Awareness Month.
Macular degeneration is a major cause of visual impairment in the United States and areound the world. Macular degeneration is a major cause of irreversible vision loss. As many as 11 million American have some form of macular degeneration, including both early and later stages of the wet and dry forms. It is important that everyone receive regularly scheduled comprehensive eye exams.
Most of the commont treatments are for wet age-related macular degeneration or (AMD) There is no specific treatment for dry macular degeneration. For wet age-related or (AMD), the treatments used include: medication, Laser Surgery, and Implantable Minature Telescope. For dry AMD treatment, there are no specific treatments available. There has been some success in taking a high dose combinaton of antioxidant viamins and zinc. These may reduce the risk of AMD's progressing to the more advanced stage by about 25 percent. You cannot get the same dosage of vitamins through food or multivitamins. There is a formula that contains high amounts of vitamins C,E, beta-carotene, and the minerals zinc and copper. Taking high levels of zinc can contribute to anemia and the copper can prevent copper deficiency anemia.
This treatment will not restore lost vision and is not a cure, but may help those that are at high risk for progression of advanced stages of AMD. This vitamin regieme does not appear to help those with early stage AMD.
Here at VA Montana, we have a low vison therapist. There is equipment that can assist you. The equipment is prescribed, based on assessment, and eligibility. One device is Scriptalk, which will "read" a pharmacy label for Veterans who cannot read a prescription bottle. The is a great assistive device.
For more information about the Low Vision Service please see:
