By: W. Jarrod Long, OD, FIALVS
Low vision means difficulty seeing even with regular glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery. For people with macular degeneration, the challenge is not complete blindness, but loss of central detail needed for reading, recognizing faces, watching television, driving, using a computer, managing medications, or enjoying hobbies. Other causes include diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, inherited retinal conditions, optic nerve disease, stroke-related vision loss, and eye injuries.
I am Dr. Jarrod Long, an optometrist with more than 30 years of experience helping patients with low vision. Low vision care is different from a routine eye exam. Instead of only asking, “Can we make the eye chart clearer?” we ask, “What do you need to see in your everyday life?” The answer may include special glasses, magnifiers, electronic devices, better lighting, glare control, contrast improvement, large print, or training with phones, tablets, and apps.
When you are told that nothing more can be done medically, ask your eye doctor whether low vision care could help. Bioptic telescopic glasses, full-diameter telescopes, reading telescopes, microscopic and prismatic glasses, hand and stand magnifiers, video magnifiers, and wearable technologies may all play a role. The right solution depends on the diagnosis, remaining vision, and the specific tasks on your wish list. The goal is simple: greater independence, confidence, and connection to the activities that matter most to you.
About Dr. Jarrod Long
Dr. Jarrod Long is an optometrist in Bloomington, Indiana, specializing in advanced low-vision and macular degeneration care to help patients maintain independence and an active daily life.
He founded Midwest Low Vision and the Macular Health Center, where he applies innovative treatments and functional vision solutions to support patients beyond their diagnosis.
Dr. Long serves on the Advisory Medical Board of the Macular Degeneration Association.
Midwest Low Vision: https://midwestlowvision.com/