Most visual changes can be corrected with glasses, medicine or surgery. However, some changes can result in permanent vision loss. These changes include eye injuries, tumors, poor health, and eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic disease.

Permanent vision loss can be partial (causing low-vision) or total (causing blindness). People with low vision retain some usable vision. The quality of images seen by those with low vision can be improved with special devices that are prescribed by a low-vision specialist. The Loew Vision Rehabilitation Institute’s optometrist has advanced training in low-vision and vision rehabilitation.

Vision Rehabilitation maximizes the remaining vision through the use of prescribed devices and training. This process helps patients work productively, accomplish everyday tasks, safely mobilize and cope with vision loss. The overall goal of vision rehabilitation is to provide people who are visually impaired with the devices, skills and confidence necessary to function as independently as possible.