The most common causes of low vision are macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Dr. John Shepherd, Director of UNMC’s Weigel Williamson Center for Visual Rehabilitation, says the patients that are referred to the center have visual impairments that cannot be corrected with conventional glasses, medical or surgical treatments.
Dr. Shepherd says they each suffer from permanent, partial vision loss.
The center’s staff evaluates individuals that have low vision to determine the quantity and quality of the individual’s remaining vision.
Dr. Shepherd says the staff then creates a rehabilitation plan.
"That will identify the different types of visual equipment, such as magnifying tools or telescopic devices that can help a person better participate in the activities they are struggling with and any types of training activities that might help them to use the remaining vision they have more effectively or efficiently.”
Dr. Shepherd says patients often struggle with reading, watching television or driving.