BackBioptics for the Aging Eye
Article submitted by Gregory R. Jackson, OD, Premier Medical Eye Group. He can be contacted at 251-473-1900.
Just because you have an eye disease like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma that has caused vision loss doesn't mean you have to give up driving.
Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi have passed laws allowing individuals with impaired vision to drive using miniature telescopic lenses combined with eyeglasses, called bioptics, if they meet the established standards.
Ever look through a pair of field glasses or binoculars? Things look bigger, closer and are easier to see. Bioptics can be also be used to improve vision function for many other tasks like television, sporting events, theater, and movies. Quality of life can improve greatly with the use of bioptic eyeglasses that combine a miniature, surgical quality, telescope with traditional eyeglasses for many patients that have impaired vision. Specific training and evaluation through a specially designated occupational therapist must be completed with the bioptics to qualify for driving.
Bioptic eyeglasses allow for the reading of signs and seeing traffic lights, sooner. For television, sitting really close is not needed. Normal sighted patients also use bioptics for tasks that require keen vision not obtainable with traditional eyeglasses alone.
Not everyone wants or needs to drive. Based on individual lifestyle needs, solutions beyond eyeglasses exist for many patients to use what vision function they have remaining, more effectively. All that is required to determine if your vision function can be improved for things like reading, watching television, or writing a check is some motivation on the part of the patient, and some time investment to explore the many low vision device options. Low vision devices range in price from a few dollars to several thousand dollars. Bioptic eyeglasses, for driving and other tasks, open up another option for patients desiring and needing to see better. To learn if you can benefit, make an appointment to see your eye doctor and ask about bioptics.