 | William L. Park, OD, FAAO is in private practice in Wichita, KS. He works exclusively with patients referred for low vision evaluation, low vision rehabilitation and neurological vision loss. He is a past Director of Low Vision Services, Lions Research & Rehabilitation Center, Wilmer Eye Institute-Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Park can be reached at William L. Park, OD, LLC, www.parklowvision.com, 610 N. Main, Suite 201, Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 440-1690 or drpark@parklowvision.com. |
Vision
2010-11-01 13:31:00
Visual impairment
Answer: Visual impairment can significantly reduce one’s functional status. Diabetes and depression are intimately related and also contribute to poor compliance to medication, dietary regimens and glycemic control, potentially resulting in reduced quality-of-life issues and overall wellness. It is extremely important that you consult with your primary care practitioner about all of your concerns. You should also consult with your primary eye care practitioner (optometrist or ophthalmologist) concerning the visual difficulties that you are experiencing.
Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1, making up the majority of diabetes cases. With type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in adulthood, but young people are increasingly being diagnosed with this disease.
Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it, although it is a serious condition. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to increasing obesity and failure to exercise. This appears to be an area of your life that you need to address. Just as important as managing your diabetes is managing your visual system. You should strictly adhere to the advice of your medical and eye care practitioners. If your vision cannot be corrected to normal acuity levels, you should seek further consultation and vision rehabilitation.
Vision rehabilitation may include new optical prescriptions, visual assistive devices, visual-spatial retraining, occupational therapy, orientation & mobility training, social work consultation and diabetic management. To assist in daily living and vocational issues associated with vision loss, your plan of care could also include onsite occupational ergonomic and environmental assessments, home activities of daily living evaluations, community participation assessments, vocational training and driving.
An evaluation by a vision rehabilitation team in the same clinical environment can dramatically and expeditiously initiate improvement in visual function and provide information about resources, therapeutic interventions and environmental adaptations to enhance your quality of life. The vision rehabilitation team should consist of a low vision practitioner (optometrist or an ophthalmologist), a certified low vision therapist and/or an occupational therapist, social worker and orientation & mobility specialist.
In addition to vision rehabilitation, a meticulous refraction and change in prescriptive lenses (validated with more than one visit if blood sugar levels are not controlled), may improve visual acuity and performance in many daily activities such as job-related tasks, reading, and perhaps driving, depending on visual acuity and the extent of your field of vision. The emphasis in your life should be related to eliminating barriers to effective therapy, promoting effective self-management, improving psychological status, and enhancing communication and coordination between your healthcare providers and yourself.
If you have significant loss of vision that adversely affects your life, talk to your current eye care practitioner about a referral for vision rehabilitation to alleviate the concerns you have with your daily life.
