Roughly 4 million Americans have low vision, and both low vision and blindness are expected to double within the next 30 years, reports Johns Hopkins Medicine (bit.ly/3IGGxik ). As February is Low Vision Awareness Month, here’s a look at three questions to determine low vision struggles, courtesy of David L. Armstrong, OD, and Richard J. Shuldiner, OD, as part of Optometric Management’s “Managing Low Vision” newsletter. (To subscribe, visit bit.ly/33l4Bas .)

Question #1: How does your vision problem affect your daily activities?

Question #2: Has your vision problem caused you to give up any activities that are important to you?

These two questions will help you know what types of low vision glasses or other devices will be helpful. If you do not provide this service, asking the following question is recommended:

Question #3: Would you like me to refer you to a doctor who may be able to help you see better?

The patient will appreciate you caring enough to make the referral, and you will have provided them with much-needed help. In the event that you are not aware of a low vision doctor, you or the patient should Google “low vision doctors.”

Adding these questions to your case history, and/or your patient intake form, is a good way to show patients that you care. Also, you will be in compliance with the standard of care by referring vision loss patients for low vision rehabilitation. OM