Low Vision Care in St. Petersburg, FL
Low vision is a condition that can impede normal daily activities because it affects the ability to see clearly. For example, it can affect the ability to recognize familiar faces and make reading difficult. Dr. Timothy Petito, optometrist at Petito Eyecare in St. Petersburg, FL, offers low vision care.
What is Low Vision?
Low vision is a condition associated with loss of vision or visual impairment. The condition can be managed, but there is no cure. Unfortunately, low vision cannot be improved with glasses or contacts either. Low vision is defined as having visual acuity of 20/70 or worse in the eye with better vision. That means that what most people with normal vision can see from 70 feet away can only be seen from 20 feet away by someone with low vision.
Symptoms of Low Vision
Several symptoms can develop in conjunction with low vision, such as:
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Loss of acuity and sharpness
- Difficulty recognizing familiar faces
- Difficulty reading (e.g., words appear incomplete)
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Poor night vision
- Loss of contrast
Causes of Low Vision
Low vision can develop for several reasons, such as aging. Low vision can also develop as a result of damage caused by various eye diseases and health conditions, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetes. Additional causes of the condition include eye injuries and genetic disorders.
Low Vision Care and Treatment
Low vision cannot be cured, but treatment can help affected individuals manage the condition. The knowledgeable optometrist at our office in St. Petersburg, FL, develops low vision care plans based on each patient’s needs. Low vision care focuses on ways to help patients preserve and maximize their remaining vision and can involve the use of various assistive devices, such as eyeglasses, bifocals, and magnifying lenses, as well as closed-circuit television systems.