A service of Inova Mount Vernon Hospital
3289 Woodburn Road Suite 300 Annandale, VA 22003 Phone: 703-208-6020
We want to help you make the most of your remaining eyesight. At Inova's Hazel E. R. Widner Low Vision Center, our goal is to help you become more independent and productive, so you can do all the things you want to do - read a newspaper or book, write a letter, watch television, pay your bills, or perform any of life's daily tasks.
You are not alone. More than 13 million Americans are visually impaired. They have less than normal eyesight that cannot be fully restored by surgery, medical treatments, or conventional eyeglasses or contact lens prescriptions.
But even with these problems, most people with low vision have some useful, remaining vision. It is our goal to help you use your remaining vision to its maximum potential - to help with dressing, cooking, using the telephone, reading or writing.
Regardless of the cause, if you want to make the most of the vision you have, we can help you.
Your Low Vision Program will include:
There may be several aspects to your low vision rehabilitation program, including:
Eye Examination Your rehabilitation program will begin with an eye examination to determine:
Visual Skills Training Visual skills training involves training your eyes to use the position of best vision effectively. There are techniques and exercises that can help you resume many of the tasks you haven't been able to perform.
Environmental Adaptation Additionally, your occupational therapist will teach you environmental adaptations to increase your safety and enhance function within your home. Some examples include:
Your individualized program
Causes of Low Vision
Vision problems that can't be corrected are caused by genetic factors, injury, disease or the effects of aging. Some of the most frequently diagnosed causes are:
Learn more about Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
Low Vision Devices Once you have developed your underlying visual skills, you will be introduced to low vision devices if necessary.The devices used depend upon the demands of the task, and usually more than one device is necessary to accomplish a variety of goals.
Such devices include:
How to Begin You may be referred by your ophthalmologist or optometrist, or you may refer yourself by calling 703-208-6020. And taking the first step toward more functional independence.
Your Program ... Will be unique Depending on the tasks you want to be able to perform, the skills and devices your team believes will best help you, and the training and support that will best help you.