News & Press
For 37 years Mississippi optometrist Dr. Rod Fields has dedicated most of his career to helping patients who required highly specialized care, like patients with crossed eyes, lazy eyes, vision related learning problems and traumatic brain injury. Four years ago he became very interested in another specialty area of vision care, namely low vision. Low vision is defined as a deterioration in the level of vision to the degree that one cannot perform simple activities of daily living. Low vision is caused by several conditions like macular degeneration, diabetes, glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa, to name a few. Patients with low vision have difficulty maintaining their independence and doing the things they love, like reading, watching TV, seeing their grandchildren’s faces and even driving. Dr. Fields wanted to increase his knowledge base in helping these patients above the traditional, limited means available through most optometrists.
The founder of the International Academy of Low Vision, Dr. Richard Shuldiner, agreed to train Dr. Fields in the highly specialized techniques for restoring sight to the partially sighted . These methodologies gave Dr. Fields the ability to help restore function and independence to patients that neither he nor other optometric professionals would have been able to help. Dr. Fields has chosen to dedicate the remainder of his career to working with patients who have low vision and may be deemed “legally blind”.
“ Once I learned that there was so much more to low vision than selling hand magnifiers, CCTV’s and other digital devices, I felt that every patient in Mississippi with low vision should have the opportunity to really see better. And because my only office was in South Mississippi, it created a hardship for many patients suffering with low vision to get to my office.” To best serve his patients, Dr. Fields and his staff have established 10 satellite clinics throughout the entire state of Mississippi. Their goal was to strategically locate the clinics so that no patient would have to drive more than one hour, one way, in order to receive this highly specialized vision care.
Unlike patients in a routine practice, low vision patients take significantly longer to examine. Dr. Fields usually spends one and one half hours per patient and can therefore only evaluate 4 or 5 patients in any given day. He uses highly technologically advanced prescription eyeglasses that have telescopes and microscopes incorporated in them that give these patients the magnification they need to see well enough to maintain some or all of their independence.
Because these specialized eyeglasses can be cost prohibitive, and not usually covered by Medicare and private insurance, Dr. Fields solicited and received donations of unused low vision devices from doctors throughout the state who had started to practice low vision care, but for one reason or another had stopped. It brings Dr. Fields and his staff joy to help patients who would not otherwise be able to afford these devices to enjoy a better quality of life.
Dr. Fields has become a household name in the state of Mississippi when it comes to helping patients with low vision maintain their independence longer. He is frequently asked to speak on the subject of low vision, and recently was a featured speaker at the annual Mississippi Nurses Convention in Biloxi, MS.
(NAPS)—There is new hope for people 
whose vision has been compromised by macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
Many patients with these diseases have heard that nothing more can be done for them, but pioneering changes in recent months may offer them new options.
Special types of highly sophisticated glasses prescribed by low vision physicians are quickly emerging as the answer to vision loss due to macular degeneration or other conditions that lead to limited vision.
For example, member doctors in the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS) use telescopic, microscopic and prismatic glasses to help those with vision deficiencies to perform daily activities such as reading, writing, playing cards, watching TV and even driving.
New Lens Technology
Recently developed E-Scoop lenses from Holland now enable doctors to help patients with one of the chief complaints associated with macular degeneration—cloudy vision.
"Macular degeneration not only causes central blind spots but reduces clarity," says Dr. Richard Shuldiner, low vision optometrist and IALVS founder. "Most of my patients ask me for clearer vision."
Glasses that use the new E-Scoop technology bridge the gap between standard eyeglasses and spectacle head-borne telescopes. Whether your difficulty is night driving, bright light, sunlight or simply seeing clearly into the distance, the E-Scoop lens placed over a standard eyeglass prescription can help.
The lens has four distinct properties that make vision clearer and sharper, with reduced glare:
For More Information
For more information, call 888-778-2030 or visit www.IALVS.com.
New lens technology helps correct a basic problem experienced by those with macular degeneration.
There is new hope for people whose vision has been compromised by macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
Many patients with these diseases have heard that nothing more can be done for them, but pioneering changes in recent months may offer them new options.
Special types of highly sophisticated glasses prescribed by low vision physicians are quickly emerging as the answer to vision loss due to macular degeneration or other conditions that lead to limited vision.
For example, member doctors in the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS) use telescopic, microscopic and prismatic glasses to help those with vision deficiencies to perform daily activities such as reading, writing, playing cards, watching TV and even driving.
New Lens Technology
Recently developed E-Scoop lenses from
“Macular degeneration not only causes central blind spots but reduces clarity,” says Dr. Richard Shuldiner, low vision optometrist and IALVS founder. “Most of my patients ask me for clearer vision.”
Glasses that use the new E-Scoop technology bridge the gap between standard eyeglasses and spectacle head-borne telescopes. Whether your difficulty is night driving, bright light, sunlight or simply seeing clearly into the distance, the E-Scoop lens placed over a standard eyeglass prescription can help.
The lens has four distinct properties that make vision clearer and sharper, with reduced glare:
• The yellow tint improves contrast.
• The prism moves the image away from the damaged macular area.
• The thickness of the lens, combined with its special “base” curve, makes objects appear slightly larger.
• The anti-reflection coating allows more light through the lens.
For More Information
For more information, call 888-778-2030 or visit www.IALVS.com.
Retirement is something that many, if not most, people look forward to with great expectations and enthusiasm. The idea of travelling more, taking on projects, reading the classics, playing with the grand children, and a wide range of other activities are the stuff daydreams are made of. Therefore it is no wonder that vision loss conditions like macular degeneration are so devastating to those approaching or at retirement age.
The International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS) believes in LIFE AFTER VISION LOSS. The IALVS brings new hope and sight to those with macular degeneration and other vision limiting conditions. The IALVS can bring back the enjoyment of retirement.
If you are now having problems seeing and doing the things you have enjoyed, contact an IALVS eye doctor. If you have been that a change in your eyeglass prescription will not help you see any better, contact an IALVS doctor. If you have been told nothing more can be done, contact an IALVS eye doctor.
IALVS doctors are specifically and extensively trained in advanced optics and magnification principles that most eye doctors have very limited knowledge of or even exposure to. The doctors of IALVS prescribe telescopic, microscope, prismatic and specially tinted eyeglasses that have many sight enhancing advantages. They make things more vivid. Objects are clearer, larger and brighter.
IALVS doctors have already helped thousands of patients with macular degeneration and other eye diseases to read better, watch television, recognize faces, play cards, and even drive! Tell the IALVS doctor what in your life you missing seeing and they will demonstrate special glasses that may fulfill those needs.
It is very challenging for the best of doctors to keep up with all the advancements in the eye care field in their very busy practices. It is unrealistic for you to expect them to be fully knowledgeable in all aspects of vision care.
An IALVS doctor will spend at least an hour with you, face to face, discussing your particular vision condition and concerns. The doctor will address all of the tasks you are having difficulty with and attempt to find a solutions. You will actually use demonstrator glasses during the evaluation because seeing IS believing.
Let an IALVS member maximize your vision to its utmost with technologically advanced optics and training. Contact an IALVS member today. There is hope when vision fails. If your doctor says no and IALVS doctor often can say yes. Do not give up that desire to see better until you meet with an IALVS doctor.
Eye Protection from UV Exposure
Most Americans know the importance of UV blocking sunscreen to protect their skin from aging and diseases. Unfortunately, only 32 percent of Americans understand the same is true when it comes to protecting their eyes from aging and diseases.
“Summer can be a dangerous time for the eyes because people spend so much time outdoors, exposed to the sun,” said Steven Schoenbart, OD from Garden City and a Member of the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists. “Overexposure to ultraviolet rays fast forwards aging of the eyes and increases the risk for serious diseases.” Read More…
Helping older Americans see again: wtnh.com
Research suggests that antioxidants and other important nutrients may reduce your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Specific antioxidants can have additional benefits as well; for example, vitamin A protects against blindness, and vitamin C may play a role in preventing or alleviating glaucoma. Omega-3 essential fatty acids appear to help the eye in a variety of ways, from alleviating symptoms of dry eye syndrome to guarding against macular damage.
Read More…The field of low vision correction techniques has witnessed pioneering changes in the recent months. Special types of highly sophisticated glasses prescribed by low vision physicians is quickly emerging as the answer to vision loss due to macular degeneration or other conditions that lead to limited vision.
Read More…
Have you been told nothing can be done?
Members of the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS) are using miniaturized binoculars, telescopes and reverse telescopes to help people who have lost vision from retinitis pigmentosa and other vision limiting conditions.
Read More…West Minster, CA
(NAPS)—There could be good news for many people with poor vision and those who care for and about them: There are medical experts specially trained and equipped to help lighten their problem.
These are optometrists (eye doctors) who have special training in working with patients who suffer from macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa and other similar diseases that lead to very poor vision that can’t be corrected with regular glasses.
Read More…
Actual low vision patients reading
Mary Stumpp, retired teacher and Washington, Indiana native, first saw Dr. Long five years ago when all she needed was a magnifier to read and "normal" glasses focused for her piano music. At Mary’s most recent visit, macular degeneration had reduced her vision so that she could only see the big "E" on the eye chart. Mary needed telescopic glasses for reading music at a specific distance. Mary admits, "It takes some time to adjust but I would certainly suggest these special glasses to other people. I can read the newspaper and the telephone book again. How wonderful!"
Actual low vision patients driving
Hank Frese, 69, former High School Principal from La Palma, California, saw Dr. Shuldiner last August. "I could not read the street signs soon enough when driving and I couldn’t read my morning paper." Dr. Shuldiner fit him with bioptic telescope glasses. "Thrilling," says Hank, "to be able to see things far away again. Even the television is so much better now. Dr. Shuldiner also provided Clear Image Microscope glasses for reading the newspaper."
"I wanted to be able to keep driving in order to take care of my husband. These bioptic telescopes have done so much for me and I can do everything on my own now. Definitely worth the $2,400 cost. I should have come sooner." - Dorothy Collier, 86
Tom Roach, 59 years old of Roseville, Michigan, was seen last November. Diabetic retinopathy was keeping him from driving and seeing faces. He got $2250 bioptic telescopic glasses with automatic sunglasses for driving. "You have no idea, "says Tom, "how much it means to be able to follow sports and the news on TV again! It’s better than getting cable for the first time: 200 channels don’t mean anything if you can't see any of them."
World-famous movie star Jane Russell, who suffers from macular degeneration, sought help for reading, watching television and movies, and recognizing faces. She came to Dr. Shuldiner’s office in October 2007. "Dr. Shuldiner has made it very easy for me to continue my activities both home and away with these glasses," says Ms. Russell. "The glasses may not look pretty, but they are beautiful to me," says former stage and screen star Miss Jane Russell.
"The glasses may not look pretty, but they are beautiful to me."
-Jane Russell
Success Story
Joel Cohen, a Pennsylvania attorney, sought help for a difficult vision problem caused by a retinal disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa.
"I was told nothing more could be done but, I wasn’t willing to accept that…I thought surely, there must be something more I can do."
Joel Cohen
