Many low vision practitioners were quick to note that OM’s coverage of AMD in May included no articles on low vision services. “I believe you missed the perfect opportunity to address the management of such patients that have manifest low vision loss and reduced vision functioning — the low vision piece,” writes Marla Moon, O.D., State College, Pa. “More of our colleagues forget that part as well.”

We did, in fact, plan low-vision coverage for the May issue, but this feature article, by Bethany Fishbein, O.D., was postponed due to last-minute production changes. Explanations (and excuses) aside, Dr. Fishbein’s article on low vision devices appears on page 24 and we look forward to covering low-vision services in future issues.

A sampling of additional reader comments follow.

A MISSED OPPORTUNITY

Marc Gannon, O.D., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., writes: “While I understand the movement to drive optometry in a direction that incorporates current levels of diagnostic and treatment modalities, it is important to preserve the foundation that set optometry apart from the other ‘Os,’ that being its unique ability to help people see.” Dr. Gannon notes that including articles on low vision and a continuum of care, “Would have provided a wonderful balance.”

Of the May issue, David L. Armstrong, O.D., Roanoke, Va., writes, that there is no mention in the issue of helping patients “achieve their goals of seeing the best they can, so they can continue to be active and independent.” Articles on low vision care, “Can remind us all to, ‘consider the person behind those eyes’ and provide. . . the help they are so desperately seeking.”

OVERCOMING RELUCTANCE

Greg Evans, O.D., Rancho Mirage, Calif., notes that there is, “Still a reluctance by our peers to refer for low vision.”

“If we don’t educate our colleagues to the fact that low vision services represent the standard of care, I don’t know how we expect to change our culture,” Dr. Evans adds. Roderick Fields, O.D., Gulfport, Miss., writes that the culture surrounding referrals low-vision specialists “simply stinks!”

“As optometrists, I believe we have an ethical responsibility to at least advise our patients that a low vision specialist might be able to help,” writes Dr. Fields.

ADDRESSING A VOID

Richard Shuldiner, O.D., F.A.A.O., Corona, Calif., writes of several “unfortunate” situations regarding low vision care. First, referrals, “are virtually non-existent.” AMD patients are regularly told, “nothing more can be done.”

Second, no optometric publication has a low vision department (and virtually no CE programs offer low vision courses). And third, no optometric publication, “regularly educates the practitioner on what low-vision care can do for the patient,” writes Dr. Shuldiner, president of The International Academy of Low Vision Specialists. ■