THE LOW VISION WORKS PROGRAM

The Low Vision Works program is a low vision rehabilitation process that restores vision and functionality to individuals suffering from low vision disabilities.

This program is highly effective in cases of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and certain types of stroke-related vision disorders. The Low Vision Works program was introduced to South Florida in the fall of 2001, and the results have been outstanding:

• Average increase in visual acuity is between 40 and 70%
• Reading speed and accuracy often doubles or even triples
• Ability to read print size doubles or triples
• Patients are able to:
  - Read and watch TV
  - Prepare meals and groom
  - Use their computer
  - Shop
  - Read a restaurant menu
  - See the faces of loved ones

Low Vision Works' unique testing and retraining regimen, in conjunction with a thorough home adaptation evaluation and redesign, is closing the gap that surgeons, ophthalmologists, optometrists and other eye care professionals cannot address. The Low Vision Works program works!

The Low Vision Works program is a vision restoration process. It exists to help those who suffer from low vision to achieve significantly increased visual acuity and functionality by enhancing the vision that is not affected by the disease causing the vision loss.
The Low Vision Works program has a uniquely effective process for restoring vision and functionality to those who suffer from age related macular degeneration (AMD, both wet and dry), diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, and certain types of stroke-related vision disabilities.
Low Vision Works is unique because it is one of the only low vision programs, which combines the two essential components of visual rehabilitation; Visual Enhancement and a Compensatory Process that includes home safety evaluations and treating the consequences of vision loss. It is this integration that sets Low Vision Works apart from other low vision programs on the market today.
At the conclusion of this eight week process, over 90% of Low Vision Works patients achieve at least a 40% increase in visual acuity. They also experience significant increases in reading speed and accuracy, as well as overall functionality.

To appreciate why the Low Vision Works program is different, one must understand the low vision market. As baby boomers age and macular degeneration becomes more of a concern, it is natural that low vision is getting more attention. There are a number of options for those who suffer from AMD today:

1. Community & Residential Support Groups: these groups are available to those who suffer from low vision in a variety of venues. Many senior living communities sponsor AMD and other low vision support groups, which meet regularly. These groups invite relevant outside speakers, provide educational materials & low vision devices such as magnifiers, and conduct discussions through which members can share experiences. Support groups are also sponsored by county and state organizations, such as the Division of Blind Services, The LIGHTHOUSE, The Lions Club and the Center for Visually Impaired Seniors. Some will even visit the patient's home to offer suggestions.
2. Low Vision Optometrists: these physicians specialize in low vision. There is only a handful in practice locally. The majority of their work centers on prescribing corrective lenses to help low vision sufferers. Some provide aspects of visual retraining, principally to assist with use of the lenses they design. Unfortunately, these lenses are quite expensive and not covered by Medicare or other forms of insurance. They can, however, be very effective once the patient learns eccentric viewing techniques.
3. Medicare Home Health Providers: several of the larger Medicare home health agencies now offer a low vision program. Without exception, these programs only address the "home adaptation" aspect of low vision rehabilitation. Their programs focus on making the home "low vision friendly" through the rearrangement of furniture and appliances, use of contrast markings to differentiate on/off switches, use of magnifiers and special lighting, and large font devices such as clocks and wristwatches. To the best of our knowledge, none of these programs include visual retraining, which is the ONLY way to restore visual acuity.

The Low Vision Works program is the only low vision process consistently able to increase visual acuity and reading speed & accuracy, because it is the only process based on eccentric viewing training.
When macular degeneration attacks, it destroys the central portion of the macula known as the fovea. Once the fovea becomes severely damaged, detail or central vision, as we know it, is no longer possible. At this point, most AMD sufferers hear the dreaded words, "There's nothing more that can be done."
The fact is, something more can be done!
Through visual retraining based on the principles of Eccentric Viewing, the eye and the brain can be trained to “behave differently”. They can learn to use other parts of the retina to see more clearly than they can using the damaged macula.
The result is a dramatic increase in visual acuity, often as high as 60 or 70%.
Something can be done about low vision!

Senior Citizen Low Vision Sufferers Regaining Sight

September 30, 2009, Sarasota, Florida - Know someone "up there" in age who has difficulty reading the newspaper, writing checks, counting money or maneuvering a set of stairs? What most Americans don't know is that the leading cause of this "functional loss" is a disease called Age Related Macular Degeneration, or AMD. AMD falls into a broad category of eye diseases classified as "Low Vision".
26% of seniors over 70 suffer from AMD. AMD strikes a new person every 3 minutes and is a leading cause of falls, fractures and even depression among seniors. Overall, low vision diseases are the third greatest cause of debilitation among senior citizens behind only heart disease and arthritis.
Low vision, by definition, is not curable by surgery, medication or corrective lenses. Moreover, it becomes progressively worse with age. For many seniors, walking safely, cooking and even watching TV have become nightmarish challenges.
Until now, those who suffer from low vision, including and especially Macular degeneration had few options for relief. In some cases, low vision optometrists are able to design customized lenses, which enhance visual acuity. In most cases, these lenses cost thousands of dollars and are not covered by Medicare or other insurances.
Recently, a growing number of Medicare home health agencies have started to offer a form of low vision relief called "home modification". This remedy consists of trying to adapt the home environment to become more "low vision friendly". A wide range of techniques ranging from the use of larger font clocks and magnifiers to use of "high contrast" markings to distinguish on/off switches on lights and appliances can be employed. These and other creative adaptations can help increase functionality, despite progressively worsening visual deficits.
However, while home modification can assist with functionality, it cannot restore vision. Most AMD sufferers ultimately reach the point where they hear the dreaded words, "there's nothing more that can be done."
Now, for the first time in your area, there is something that can be done. A new option now exists for those with Macular degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma and other low vision disabilities. It is called VISUAL RETRAINING.
Visual retraining recognizes that, although diseases like Macular degeneration damage the central portion of the macula, there remain other "healthy" areas, where detail vision is still possible. Through scientific testing, these "healthy" areas can be located and the eye trained to use them.
Here is a typical example:
Frances is 78 years old and suffers from acute Macular degeneration. Before her visual retraining treatment was completed on October 30th, vision in her better eye was 20/600 with magnification. Now it is 20/160, a 73% improvement. Her reading speed has increased from 10 minutes to 6 and accuracy has improved by almost 50%.
Frances' results are not the exception. The average increase in visual acuity, using visual retraining in combination with home modification, is 40-60%. Reading speed and accuracy improve equally dramatically. Patient independence and safety climb proportionately.
And there is more good news. Not only does visual retraining work, but it can be completed in only 8 weeks entirely within the home. And Medicare pays 100% for those who qualify.
The Low Vision Works program is a uniquely effective low vision treatment, which incorporates visual retraining with home adaptation, to produce dramatic increases in visual acuity, reading speed and accuracy and overall functional independence. It is designed specifically to help those who suffer from Macular degeneration. And it is 100% covered by Medicare for those eligible.

 Low Vision Works of Florida, LLC

Michele A. Vandendooren OTR/L, President

3938 South Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34231

Telephone: 941.366.0011
Toll free: (1) 866.590.0011
Fax:941.957.0033
Email: info@lowvisionworks.com