3 Ways Low-Vision Specialists Can Help Save Your Eyesight

When you are diagnosed with diabetic macular edema (DME), you will likely undergo treatments such as injectable medications and laser treatments. These are great ways to protect your eyes and prevent the vision loss that can come with DME, however, they aren't your only option.

“DME is the result of long-term diabetes causing injury to the blood vessels of the retina, the tissue in the back of the eye that is responsible for our fine central vision,” Michael Allingham, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina explains to Everyday Health. When the blood vessels in the macula (a part of the retina) become damaged, they can leak blood and fluid, causing blurry central vision, he adds.

DME can also cause several complications, including difficulty reading, driving or watching TV.

If these problems sound familiar, you may benefit from a vision rehabilitation specialist or occupational therapist who specializes in treating low vision. These experts will work with you to find ways to tackle your day-to-day activities, manage your symptoms, and remain independent.

How a Vision Specialist Can Help You Manage DME

Living with DME may require you to make some adjustments to your home, work and school environments, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

This is where low-vision specialists can come in handy. Furthermore, a low-vision specialist can help you and members of your family with counseling and answer questions about your diagnosis.

If you've already experienced vision loss and want to persevere the remainder of your eyesight, low-vision specialists can help with that as well, Mark Wilkinson, a clinical professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City tells Everyday Health.

Strategies for combating low vision

Aside from seeing a low-vision specialist, you may also benefit from the following strategies, Mark Wilkinson tells Everyday Health:

Invest in a magnifying lens. “A magnifying glass can help words appear clearer and larger,” says Wilkinson, who says that you can use it to read books, newspapers, or magazines. If you want to keep your hands free, you can have a magnifying lens mounted to your everyday glasses.

Play with the contrast on your electronic devices. If you find it difficult to read things on your electronic devices, you may need to adjust the light and font color and change the contrast. This may make things easier to read. “Reading white text on a black background is oftentimes a lot easier for people with DME,” Wilkinson shares.

Find a good pair of glasses. “The right glasses and the right prescription can make a world of difference,” says Wilkinson. “This is especially important for everyday tasks, such as reading and driving.”

Sit closer to the screen. “If you’re having trouble seeing what’s on the screen, moving closer to it can help tremendously,” Wilkinson adds.

To find a certified low-vision specialist near you, you can search the databases of the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals and the American Occupational Therapy Association.