DONALD PAQUETTE DRIVING WITH BIOPTIC TELESCOPE GLASSES

Donald Paquette, 72, a former county assessor from Anaheim California saw Dr.Shuldiner last November. “I could not read the street signs soon enough when driving, and I couldn’t read my saxophone music anymore.”

Dr. Shuldiner fit him with bioptic telescope glasses. “Amazing!” says Donald. “I can read the street signs twice as far as I did before. I can play my sax again. Happy day!” Dr. Shuldiner also provided special prismatic reading glasses to make the newspaper a little easier to read.

Doreen Harrold, 72, of Pocohontas, Iowa, flew down at the suggestion of a friend. She wanted to keep her Iowa driver's license and was prescribed bioptic telescopic glasses to read signs and see traffic lights farther away. Dr. Paul also prescribed microscope glasses for reading newspapers and menus in restaurants. As Doreen puts it, “my regular glasses didn’t help too much – it was like looking through a fog. These new telescopic glasses not only allow me to read signs from a farther distance, but makes driving much easier. I’ve also used them to watch television so I don’t have to sit so close. Definitely worth the $1,900 cost. I don’t know why I waited three years to do this; I should have come sooner.”

During a recent telephone consultation with Mr. Harlin Lunsford’s son, it was clear to Dr. Long that Harlin had lost significant vision from macular degeneration. “I try my best to only recommend a low vision evaluation if I feel I can help,” says Dr. Long. “In this case, I made it clear that I felt our chances for success were 50-50.”

As it turned out, Mr. Lunsford made the drive from Carmel, Indiana and Dr. Long was able to help with his goals of seeing television and faces better. “However,” says Dr. Long, “I was honestly not able to reach his goal of reading newsprint – large print, yes, but not newsprint.” Dr. Long explains that “special glasses for TV can cost around $1,800 and reading glasses range from $500 to $700 depending on the type used, but my patients see the benefit while in the office or I don’t recommend the glasses."

Finally, during a follow-up call, Mr. Lunsford told Dr. Long, “I am very pleased with my new glasses and I’m doing great. I would recommend telescope glasses to anyone with my condition.”

Retired teacher and Washington, Indiana native, Mary Margaret Stumpp, 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 to where she could only see the big “E” on the eye chart.

“Fortunately,” says Dr. Long, “with special glasses I can make music notes and newsprint look as large as the big “E.” Mary needed telescopic glasses for reading music at a specific distance and, as it turned out, Clear Image microscope glasses were best for reading print up close.”

Mary admits “it takes some time to adjust, but I would certainly suggest these special glasses to other people.”

Diabetic retinopathy had taken its’ toll on the vision of Dr. Long’s patient and Spencer, Indiana resident, John Kay. “John’s ‘wish list’ included driving, seeing insulin dosages, and reading, but unlike macular degeneration,” explains Dr. Long, “diabetes sometimes affects one’s peripheral vision as well as the central vision.” Because of John’s poor side vision, Dr. Long had to recommend that he not drive. “However,” as Dr. Long says, “there are many other uses, besides driving, for bioptic glasses and John got them anyway.”

Bioptic glasses cost around $2,000 and John’s reading glasses were $650. As John explained during a recent routine follow-up call, “I wear both pairs regularly and have been doing fine. Even though I can’t legally drive, the bioptics allow me to recognize faces more easily and the reading glasses are much easier than using a magnifier.”

Ellen Imboden traveled from Sweden and was helped with two pairs of glasses:special $475 prismatic glasses that let her read newsprint, as well as bioptic telescopes to continue driving in Sweden.

Donna Foster, 75 of Elnora, Indiana, came to see Dr. Long with two goals in mind: to be able to read newspapers and to be able to watch television easier – especially baseball and NASCAR. Donna went home after receiving her $400 prismatic reading glasses and “read a book that night.” She said, “I love my new reading glasses! I read a lot more now.”

For television, Full Diameter Telescopic glasses were prescribed by Dr. Long, and these were a hit too. “I sat down and watched a two-hour show and didn’t realize I still had my glasses on. I have a modest income, but they were definitely worth the $1,975 cost. I even wore them to a three hour live play and was able to see the details in the costumes!”

Robert Taylor, Westland, age 74, got two telescopes.  The one for driving was $2150 and the one for TV, faces and scenery was $1650.  It came with an accessory to help with close work such as fix-it jobs, reading, or fingernail grooming.

Robert Taylor quotes one week post dispense

Q. How are you doing with your new glasses?

A. Doing good but nobody will let me drive yet, but I’m doing real good.  I stopped by your office to pick up referral information for a couple of ladies at church who have the same situation as I have.

Q. What are you doing with them?  Are you watching Television?

A. With the one pair, yeah I can.  And with the other pair, every time I get in the car I wear them.

Q. Any words of encouragement?

A. Yeah, don’t hesitate!  He who hesitates gets left behind.

SLS.  I’m here for you all the way through.

A. OK, Thank you.  I appreciate it.

Irv Matthes drove all the way from Pentiction, BC to Kirkland. "Thank you for putting some living back into my life. I could never have done this without these reading glasses. Now I can write this letter and solve the daily cryptogram in the newspaper."

Peter Rhodes traveled from Manchester, UK to be fit for special amorphic glasses for Retinitis Pigmentosa. He is one of the first patients in the United States or the UK to be helped with this rare eye disorder.

Betsy Graham of Baily, North Carolina thought that her driving days were over. “I could not read the street signs soon enough and I couldn’t pass the vision test at the DMV office.”  Dr. Ed Paul, a member of the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists, was able to help.

Gonzalo Garcia of Albuquerque, New Mexico, wanted to be able to read and write more easily. He wanted to see the nails and screws when he tried to use them in home repairs. He wanted to recognize people’s faces and see his grandchildren singing in the church choir. But he thought those days were over when he was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration.  Fortunately, he found a member of the IALVS and was able to have everything on his "wish list" addressed.

IVAN SHALAMANOV WEARING BIOPTIC TELESCOPE GLASSES

Ivan Shalamanov, 91 years young, came from Romania just to see Dr. Shuldiner. Through his translator, Ivan said “I do not care to drive, but I want to see the television better, dial the telephone, and write out my checks by myself."

“It took three pairs of glasses,” said Dr. Shuldiner, “and Mr. Shalamanov was thrilled.” “Amazing," said Ivan, “when I go for my walk I can actually recognize my friends! I was able to write out the doctor’s check myself.”

“Definitely worth the $5100 that I spent,” said Ivan. Dr. Shuldiner cautions, “not everyone needs that many pairs or spends that much money. It just depends upon the patient’s level of vision and their goals.”

“In some states, Bioptic Telescopic Glasses can be used to pass the vision test for driving”, says Dr. Edward Paul, a North Carolina Low Vision optometrist. “This can allow some with conditions like macular degeneration to continue driving”.

“Amazing!” says Betsy. “I can read the street signs twice as far as I did before. I can now drive to work, to the supermarket, and even see the television better … I have my independence back!” Dr. Paul also provided special reading glasses to make the newspaper a little easier to read.

"Dear Dr. Gannon, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for making my Christmas really special this year. Thanks to you I was able to enjoy the holidays with my family and watch television. Replying with my new eyes. With sincere appreciation and warmest thanks to you." Catharine O.

"Dr. Gannon came to John Knox Village and he told me he could improve my Low Vision and he did!" Elizabeth B.

"Thank you for your help and most of all Dr. Gannon thank you for caring." Frances L.

HANK FRESE DRIVING WITH BIOPTIC TELESCOPE GLASSES

Hank Frese, 69, a 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.

"Thank God I found you Dr. Gannon." Ann M.

"Dear Dr. Gannon, A thousand thanks from the heart and from the eyes. The glasses are doing everything you said they would and you have restored my driving confidence and my "wheels."" Ruth T.

Dear IALVS Doctor: "My examination was not only an education, but a confidence builder." Seymour U.

"I feel like I am getting somewhere, for a long time I could not feel this way, but with my Low Vision therapy my life is a lot better than it was." Ruth B.

"Thanks to my Low Vision therapy I see better now. I read a notice in the elevator that a bug spray man was coming and I can now see where to fill out and sign my check." Constance T.

"Dr. Gannon, thank you for the evaluation you did on my eyes yesterday. Until you examined me, I was very apprehensive about my condition but I'm feeling so much better to have had an HONEST opinion and certainly a more realistic one. It's nice to be told that my right eye is 20/40 and not 20/300. Some difference." Aaron B.

"I loved Dr. Gannon and I can't thank him enough for helping me." Frank L.

"I am pleased Dr. Halperin referred me to Dr. Gannon." Theresa M.

Dr. Gannon didn't talk down to me and my mother. He gave us honest answers especially since we are both nurses we are both very impressed with his knowledge and truly caring attitude." Martha and Mary S.

"Dr. Gannon, I have seen many doctors and I thought you were more knowledgeable then any other doctor." Sally C.

"I am absolutely astounded and I am very hopeful. Thank you very much, Dr. Gannon and Cher, for showing me how to see." Ruth C.

I love Dr. Gannon and I think Cher is exceptional. I find the Low Vision program excellent and rewarding. I find myself picking up crosswords and figuring them out. I am pleased." Martha D.

"Now I can see better when I walk and go out, I'm not afraid. I am learning to use what vision I have and I am extremely happy with the program and I can function. It's a pleasure." Esther L.

Mr. 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.   “Driving changes your whole life.  I wish I hadn’t waited so long.  It makes a big difference.  I can see signs such as “STOP, FLAGMAN AHEAD” and I can see the signs on the freeway to tell what is the next road coming up.”  His wife said “I think it’s wonderful there is a payment plan.”

John Roberts, 81 year old WWII veteran and author with macular degeneration, Bloomfield Hills, Oakland County.  Complained of not seeing TV and faces; missing parts of letters or numbers at the computer or reading and inability to read the stock market or weather report.  $1950 bioptic telescopic for driving and $725 microscopes for reading newsprint were prescribed.

Quote “Many optometrists are not trained in low vision and can only do so much for the patient.  What helped me a great deal was when I answered an ad in the newspaper posted by Dr. Sheldon Smith of Suburban Low Vision of Michigan.  I was not able to drive during the daylight hours because I was not able to read street signs nor see the traffic signals, which is a dangerous position to be in!  However, with the fitting of special telescopic lens in my regular prescription glasses, I was able to drive once again in the daylight hours.  The new telescopic lens gave me the opportunity to once again see the TV screen in its entirety.

He also made a special pair of reading glasses for me so I can read small print once again at home, because I had been unable to read a book, the small print in newspapers, or even read the time on my wrist watch.”

Ernest Ashley, 81 year old, former fire marshal for Chrysler Motor  Sterling Heights, Macomb County, macular degeneration.  He wished to see in the distance.  Was using a hobby visor for his woodcarving hobby and he reported using a video eye that suffices.  We prescribed $1795 full diameter telescopic glasses for seeing faces TV and scenery and $495 binocular prismatic microscopes for woodcarving.  We also prescribed Total Focus Vitamins, a total body vitamin combined with potent anti-macular degeneration supplements. 

From his mailed in testimonial:   “I got two pairs of glasses.  I can watch TV (with one) and play cards (with the other).  (I) bought some Total Focus. In three weeks my eyes improved. (I) wouldn’t be without my Total Focus.”

William Schuster, age 89, Trenton, Wayne County, wished to see faces better and improve reading (deemphasize the reading part).  He paid $1975 for bioptic telescope glasses to see faces better.  It took a while to get used to wearing them, but now “he uses them daily because he can see people and enjoy different events.”

Valerie Bassett, age 79, Missionary, Sunday School Teacher, Music Teacher, Church Organist, Essexville, paid $1995 for telescope glasses and two reading caps.  “I now use my glasses to watch TV, participate in Worship Service by singing hymns and reading the bible.  I can read music with a special lens.  I’m really enjoying my new lens.  It is working great for hymn singing and bible reading.  It’s (is a) wonderful (thing to be able) to see again.  I have (been given) a new lease on life.  I’m not going to sit in a rocking chair and wait for the Lord.”

Octavius Germany, Dearborn, age 91 and picked up glasses, $1995 bioptic driving glasses and $475 binocular prismatic reading glasses.

Octavius Germany quotes from one week post dispense

SLS. I’m here to support you no matter what.

OG.  Now you made my day...That’s something that moves me very much.

SLS. How do those glasses work for your distance?

OG.  Well they seem to be pretty good.  I can’t miss with them, that’s my evaluation at the moment.  I’m banking every thing on those glasses

SLS. Are you finding they make it better to see?

OG. Yes, definitely.

SLS. What kind of things can you see better with them?  What kind of things do you notice look better? 

OG. Well anything in the distance looks clearer...I’m impressed with those lenses.  I think this is what’s going to win the day for me.

Margaret Pillar, 85 years old, came to see IALVS doctor, W. Jarrod Long, O.D. from 3 hours away with goals of reading and seeing her TV more easily -- the drugstore magnifiers she had were no longer helping. After spending an hour with Dr. Long she was able to see how the special glasses would help for TV before even ordering them.

After a few weeks, Brandy, Dr. Long’s technician, made a routine follow-up call, and according to Margaret, both pairs (she also purchased reading glasses for $650) were working fine and she was showing them off to friends. She jokingly asked, “why did I spend $1850 for glasses to watch such rotten shows on TV?”  : )

Dr. Long’s low vision patient, Mrs. Hunsucker, suffering from the effects of macular degeneration, simply wanted to see the TV better and read newsprint. As Dr. Long says, “While it’s not always the case, one pair of glasses was able to serve both purposes.” And as Ermal says, “I now order every newspaper I can find!”

Harry’s “Wish List” for IALVS doctor, Jarrod Long, O.D.: TV at 15ft

Recognizing Faces, Playing Cards

Says Harry upon follow-up: “Fantastic! I went to watch my grandson wrestle and I sat at the top of the bleachers and could see him great. Oh yeah, I watch TV a lot with the glasses and play cards with my wife now too.”

Dear Dr. Long,

These glasses are great! I’m just starting to practice with the bioptics. But with the reading glasses, I can write my own checks again! --G. Baker, Terre Haute, IN

Linda Miller’s “Wish List” for IALVS doctor, Jarrod Long, O.D.:

Driving, Reading, Computer, Trimming Toenails, Television, Slot Machines, Seeing Faces

Pair #1) Prescription Bioptic Telescopes $2,075

Pair #2) Prescription Full-Diameter Telescopes $1,850

With Reading Cap and Computer/Toenails/Slot Machine Cap

Upon initial follow-up, Linda says “I was able to cut my toenails for the first time in a very long while, thanks Dr. Long!”

Veronica Kish is one of Dr. Shuldiner’s long term patients, but Dr. Smith delivered her second pair of driving telescopes in MI.  Veronica says she uses the bioptic not only for driving but also for sledding and tobogganing with the great grandkids!