Low vision doctor helps those with vision impairment to see again
By Elena Lombardi, Salt Lake City LIVING WELL Magazine
Just because you have macular degeneration (or other vision-limiting conditions) doesn’t always mean you must give up doing the things you enjoy. Ever look through a pair of field glasses or binoculars? Things look bigger and closer, and much easier to see. A specialty trained Utah optometrist, Dr. Jared L. Cooper, is using miniaturized binoculars or prescription telescopes to help people who have lost vision from macular degeneration or other eye conditions.
“Some of my patients consider me the last stop for people who have vision loss,” says Dr. Cooper, a low vision optometrist who limits his practice to serving the visually impaired by performing house calls and office visits throughout the state of Utah. “People don’t know that there are doctors who are very experienced in low vision care; many of my patients have been told that there was nothing left they could do to improve their vision. Fortunately, this is usually
not the case.” Macular degeneration is the most common eye disease amongst the senior population. As many as 25% of those over 65 have some degree of degeneration. The macula is one small part of the entire retina, but it is the most sensitive and gives us sharp images. When it degenerates, macular degeneration leaves a blind spot right in the center of vision making it impossible to recognize faces, read a book, or pass the driver’s vision test.
The experts do not know what causes macular degeneration. But major factors include UV light from the sun, smoking, aging, and improper nutrition. Nine out of 10 people who have macular
degeneration have the dry type. There is no medical treatment except for vitamins. The wet type is more aggressive and results in more dramatic vision loss. It involves leaky blood vessels that can sometimes be treated with injections of Avastin or Lucentis. Unfortunately, it’s a temporary fix since other leaks usually occur. Neither type can be reversed or cured.
“My job is to figure out everything and anything possible to keep a person functioning and independent,” says Dr. Cooper. A patient of Dr. Cooper’s, Boyd Erickson, 83, a retired electrician, was given an Approached Cooper Low Vision Care last March. “I could not see my grandchildren’s faces clearly, read my Scriptures, or see our beautiful mountains,” says Erickson.
He was fit with prescription bioptic telescope glasses that could change into automatic sunglasses when he went outside. “What a blessing,” says Boyd, “to be able to see things far away again––even the television is so much better now! I am surprised that my retinal specialist did not mention that there were other doctors who specialized in this type of care. I have thrown out all my old hand-held magnifiers and other devices I have collected over the years. Dr. Cooper has changed my life.” Boyd was also provided with a prescription for Clear Image Microscope glasses for reading the newspaper.
“Prescription telescopic glasses usually cost over $2,000,” says Dr. Cooper, “especially if we fabricate them with an automatic sunglass.” Not all low vision devices are that expensive. Reading glasses start at $500 and hand magnifiers under $100. Every case is different because people have different levels of vision and different desires.
Call Dr. Cooper for a free telephone interview: 800-451-2015, or visit Dr. Cooper on the Internet at the following address: www.coopereyecare-utah.com. Utah Professional License Number: 7347067-9934.
