Low Vision Clinic
Parent/Care Provider Information Sheet
Parent/Care Provider Information Sheet
The Oregon Lions Statewide Low Vision Clinic is a unique service provided to children with visual impairments through the generous support of the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation.
What is the purpose of the clinic?
The purpose of the clinic is to provide low vision assessments that are directed toward your child’s educational and environmental needs. The clinic works in cooperation with the Oregon School for the Blind and the state Regional Programs in providing services to children age birth through twenty-one years. The goal of the clinic is to help gain a better understanding of your child’s vision and to make recommendations that will assist him or her in the educational setting. When appropriate the optometrist will recommend and dispense low vision devices; and if necessary the optometrist will provide a follow-up assessment in your child’s educational setting, or a variety of settings.
How are the Statewide Low Vision Clinic’s services accessed?
The clinic’s services are accessed through your child’s Teacher of the Visually Impaired and/or Orientation and Mobility Specialist and are scheduled through your local Regional Program for the Visually Impaired.
What is the purpose of the clinic?
The purpose of the clinic is to provide low vision assessments that are directed toward your child’s educational and environmental needs. The clinic works in cooperation with the Oregon School for the Blind and the state Regional Programs in providing services to children age birth through twenty-one years. The goal of the clinic is to help gain a better understanding of your child’s vision and to make recommendations that will assist him or her in the educational setting. When appropriate the optometrist will recommend and dispense low vision devices; and if necessary the optometrist will provide a follow-up assessment in your child’s educational setting, or a variety of settings.
How are the Statewide Low Vision Clinic’s services accessed?
The clinic’s services are accessed through your child’s Teacher of the Visually Impaired and/or Orientation and Mobility Specialist and are scheduled through your local Regional Program for the Visually Impaired.
Who conducts the Low Vision Assessment?
Dr. Lowery has served as Director of the Oregon Lions Statewide Low Vision Clinic since 1995. He is a faculty member at Pacific University College of Optometry where he teaches courses in clinical procedures and visual function in relation to learning. Dr. Lowery is also Chief of Pediatrics for Pacific University Optometry Clinics and is involved in research and continuing education regarding pediatric visual impairments and developmental low vision care.
What does the Low Vision Assessment include?
The clinic assessment starts with an evaluation of your child’s vision to determine what your child can see and how he/she is adapting to visual disability. The clinic assessment includes:
Visual acuity (level of detail a child can see)
Determination of the need for glasses
Extent of visual field
Eye movement and eye teaming
Use of vision in relation to additional handicaps
Visual efficiency for specific educational tasks (especially reading) and
Screening to determine if there are eye health concerns that need to be addressed by the child’s primary eye care provider.
The majority of children with visual impairments in Oregon have some usable vision. With adequate utilization of new technology, low vision aids and adaptive techniques, many of these students can maximize the use of their remaining vision. The optometrist can trial low vision aids and make specific recommendations for use of optical devices and other technology to maximize your child’s use of vision. Low vision aids may be dispensed at the time of the visit.
Where is the clinic located?
The clinic was originally based at the Oregon School for the Blind, but now the doctor takes the clinic on the road several times per year to provide service to the individual Regional Programs. This eliminates transportation problems for families and educators and allows the doctor to evaluate children in familiar environments. The doctor can provide assessments in the classroom or home when necessary. All clinic appointments are arranged through the Teacher of Visually Impaired (TVI) working with your child.
What should be brought to clinic appointments?
The clinic optometrist will want as much information about your child’s eyes as possible. Any recent eye reports from the child’s primary eye doctor will be helpful. The optometrist will want to know what concerns you and your child have about their vision. It may be helpful to write things down prior to their visit. It is very important that prescribed glasses or any other visual aids are brought to the appointment.
You will be asked to sign a release of information between the Low Vision Clinic Optometrist and the Regional Program for Visually Impaired and your child’s school. This allows us to share results of the Low Vision exam with your child’s educational team. You may also be asked to sign a permission to evaluate form, depending on the requirements of individual districts and Regional Programs. This form will be required if you are unable to attend the Low Vision Clinic with your child.
What is the cost of the clinic?
The Oregon Lions Statewide Low Vision Clinic is a program of the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation. Their support allows the clinic to provide services at no cost to individuals being served through local Regional Vision Programs. Low vision aids (magnifiers, telescopes) are provided free of charge if the student either qualifies for the free or reduced lunch program or for Oregon Health Plan coverage. Students not eligible to receive free low vision aids may purchase them at cost through the clinic. A letter of appreciation to the Oregon Lions for exams and low vision aids provided by the Lions is suggested. These can be addressed to:
Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation
1010 NW 22nd, #N144, Portland, OR 97210
What if further evaluations are recommended?
Occasionally, the clinic optometrist will determine that a child needs further evaluation beyond the scope of the clinic services. Families are financially responsible for any evaluations scheduled and performed outside the clinic settings. Families are also responsible for purchasing any low vision devices or technology recommended by the clinic optometrist that cannot be provided by the Lions.
Questions?
Clinic Contact:
John P. Lowery, O. D. M. Ed.
Director
Oregon Lions Statewide Low Vision Clinic
loweryj@pacificu.edu
503-352-3139
Dr. Lowery has served as Director of the Oregon Lions Statewide Low Vision Clinic since 1995. He is a faculty member at Pacific University College of Optometry where he teaches courses in clinical procedures and visual function in relation to learning. Dr. Lowery is also Chief of Pediatrics for Pacific University Optometry Clinics and is involved in research and continuing education regarding pediatric visual impairments and developmental low vision care.
What does the Low Vision Assessment include?
The clinic assessment starts with an evaluation of your child’s vision to determine what your child can see and how he/she is adapting to visual disability. The clinic assessment includes:
Visual acuity (level of detail a child can see)
Determination of the need for glasses
Extent of visual field
Eye movement and eye teaming
Use of vision in relation to additional handicaps
Visual efficiency for specific educational tasks (especially reading) and
Screening to determine if there are eye health concerns that need to be addressed by the child’s primary eye care provider.
The majority of children with visual impairments in Oregon have some usable vision. With adequate utilization of new technology, low vision aids and adaptive techniques, many of these students can maximize the use of their remaining vision. The optometrist can trial low vision aids and make specific recommendations for use of optical devices and other technology to maximize your child’s use of vision. Low vision aids may be dispensed at the time of the visit.
Where is the clinic located?
The clinic was originally based at the Oregon School for the Blind, but now the doctor takes the clinic on the road several times per year to provide service to the individual Regional Programs. This eliminates transportation problems for families and educators and allows the doctor to evaluate children in familiar environments. The doctor can provide assessments in the classroom or home when necessary. All clinic appointments are arranged through the Teacher of Visually Impaired (TVI) working with your child.
What should be brought to clinic appointments?
The clinic optometrist will want as much information about your child’s eyes as possible. Any recent eye reports from the child’s primary eye doctor will be helpful. The optometrist will want to know what concerns you and your child have about their vision. It may be helpful to write things down prior to their visit. It is very important that prescribed glasses or any other visual aids are brought to the appointment.
You will be asked to sign a release of information between the Low Vision Clinic Optometrist and the Regional Program for Visually Impaired and your child’s school. This allows us to share results of the Low Vision exam with your child’s educational team. You may also be asked to sign a permission to evaluate form, depending on the requirements of individual districts and Regional Programs. This form will be required if you are unable to attend the Low Vision Clinic with your child.
What is the cost of the clinic?
The Oregon Lions Statewide Low Vision Clinic is a program of the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation. Their support allows the clinic to provide services at no cost to individuals being served through local Regional Vision Programs. Low vision aids (magnifiers, telescopes) are provided free of charge if the student either qualifies for the free or reduced lunch program or for Oregon Health Plan coverage. Students not eligible to receive free low vision aids may purchase them at cost through the clinic. A letter of appreciation to the Oregon Lions for exams and low vision aids provided by the Lions is suggested. These can be addressed to:
Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation
1010 NW 22nd, #N144, Portland, OR 97210
What if further evaluations are recommended?
Occasionally, the clinic optometrist will determine that a child needs further evaluation beyond the scope of the clinic services. Families are financially responsible for any evaluations scheduled and performed outside the clinic settings. Families are also responsible for purchasing any low vision devices or technology recommended by the clinic optometrist that cannot be provided by the Lions.
Questions?
Clinic Contact:
John P. Lowery, O. D. M. Ed.
Director
Oregon Lions Statewide Low Vision Clinic
loweryj@pacificu.edu
503-352-3139
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