Low Vision Clinic Expo
Jerry Hutch, a legally blind Veteran demonstrates his white cane for the expo
On Monday, October 15, 2012, the Low Vision Clinic at Fort Harrison Medical Center held the first “Community Expo: with various program providers from around the state participating. The providers had assistive devices and provided educational materials to Veterans that have low vision problems.
The Low Vision Clinic at Fort Harrison VA Medical Center is part of the continuum of care for Veterans with visual impairments. This means that the clinic is considered an “intermediate” clinic. The staff consists of a Low Vision Therapist, a Low Vision Optometrist and a Program Assistant. The clinic serves Veterans that can no longer read with regular glasses and the Veteran’s visual acuity is between 20/70 and 20/200.
The most common eye condition that contributes to low vision is Macular Degeneration, which affects the central vision and the ability to read. The Veteran still has peripheral vision, but a blind spot in the center of the eye.
The process for a Veteran is to come to Fort Harrison to meet with Stephanie Kilian, the Low Vision Therapist, who will demonstrate the devices used for daily living, for example; a talking watch. Another device is “Scriptalk”, which is an audible prescription reading device. The device will “read” the label of any VA medication that has a special label on it. This is especially important to the Veteran to be able to know what medication he or she is taking and the correct dosage. The Veteran will then see Dr. Anderson, Optometrist, for a low vision exam. During the exam Dr. Anderson will test the Veteran’s vision and assess the Veteran with magnifiers based on the Veteran’s goals and visual acuity. Magnifiers are a prescribed device in the VA health care system. After the exam, the Veteran is given instructions by the Low Vision Therapist on how to use the magnifiers. In some cases, Veterans with low vision may need to be referred to a VISOR clinic in Denver.
Veterans that are considered legally blind (vision 20/200 or worse) are referred for additional case management to the VIST Coordinator, Tracy Tillinger. Veterans that are legally blind may need additional training, such as learning to use adaptive computer software or using a long cane and Tracy makes referrals for additional training at a Blind Rehabilitation Center. The closest one to Montana is located in American Lakes, Washington.
The Low Vision clinic works closely with our community partners, the State of Montana, Blind and Low Vision to make sure that Veterans are also followed up with home services in their community. Veterans that are unable to drive are connected with the “Senior Companion” program. The program provides assistance with shopping tasks. The Low Vision clinic also will fill out paperwork needed for para-transit services.
