Learning About Low Vision

The William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center, located at The Eye Institute’s Oak Lane facility, provides low vision and rehabilitative services to patients with vision impairments in order to maximize their remaining eyesight. Comprehensive low vision evaluations and rehabilitative services are offered through the center’s interdisciplinary staff comprised of optometrists, social workers, occupational therapists, and certified low vision rehabilitation specialists.

Our integrative team develops low vision strategies to help patients successfully achieve day to day tasks such as reading, watching television, and household activities. The specialty service also offers information to patients who have experienced vision loss from congenital ocular conditions and diseases such as age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma. “The Eye Institute’s low vision services are meant to help people with visual impairments to function better at home, school, and work,” said Dr. Richard Brilliant, a specialist at the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center. “We help our patients achieve the daily tasks they haven’t been able to perform because of their vision loss.”

Services provided at the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center include: comprehensive low vision evaluations for adults and children, prescription and dispensing of low vision devices and adaptive equipment, rehabilitative training in the use of remaining vision, adaptive technology evaluations, and referrals to agencies that offer assistance in obtaining adaptive equipment and rehabilitative services.

“The Eye Institute encourages our patients to have a yearly eye exam, which could increase your chances for early detection of macular degeneration and other vision robbing conditions,” said Dr. Brilliant.  There is no known cause for macular degeneration, although genetics, smoking, race, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sun exposure, and obesity may place you at a higher risk for developing the disease. Macular degeneration can cause devastating central vision loss that cannot be treated or reversed with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery; however, low vision services can allow you to function more independently again.

To make an appointment with a low vision specialist, call 215.276.6111.