What is Low Vision?

A person with visual acuity of 6/18 or less in the better eye and/or restricted field of vision, which cannot be corrected with any therapeutic or surgical procedure, glasses or contact lenses is said to have Low Vision. There are an estimated 45 million people with Low Vision, of whom a large number reside in India. (WHO publication /97/61 Rev.1)

What are causes of Low Vision?

There are different causes for low vision

• Diabetic retinopathy due to Diabetes Mellitus
• Glaucoma
• Age related macular degeneration
• Retinitis pigmentosa
• Optic atrophy
• Albinism
• High Refractive error
• Eye Injuries
• Retinal detachment
• H.M.D
• Hypertensive retinopathy due to High Blood pressure.
• Or other eye diseases

How can a patient with Low vision be helped?

Patients with Low Vision can be helped with different devices, known as Low Vision Aids, depending upon their visual tasks and occupational needs.

There are a variety of such aids available such as hand or stand magnifiers, high add spectacles, hand-held or spectacle mounted telescopes, C.C.T.V, etc. Certain electronic devices are also available for those who may need them.

Rehabilitation

Low Vision patients are first extensively investigated, and then devices are prescribed depending upon their needs. Patients are trained to use these devices, which would help them to carry on their day-today activities independently, despite their visual impairment.

Rehabilitation implies a comprehensive approach that focuses on rehabilitating an individual to his/her maximum potential. It includes social, educational, economical, physical and emotional rehabilitation for the visually impaired person.

Counseling & Traning

Counseling is given to patients and family members to motivate them to use the given device to its fullest capacity.
Training is given for correct handling of the device. Training is the most important aspect without which the device would be useless.
Functional adaptive devices are often prescribed, along with devices for convenience and comfort.

Shree Naval P Baliwalla Centre For Vision Rehabilitation

Late Mr. Naval Baliwalla was an optometrist qualified in the UK. He was a pioneer to establish a Low Vision practice in India. He designed and manufactured Low Vision Aids which were affordable to the average Indian. Many patients, both young and adults, have been treated with kindness and generosity at his Low Vision clinic. The center is a tribute to his dedication to the cause of Low Vision.

Centre has an exclusive facility of its kind in Mumbai as it offers all aspects of Low Vision under one roof i.e Diagnosis, Evaluation and Rehabilitation.

The Lotus Eye Hospital is a charitable Eye Hospital in Juhu known for its eye care services for over three decades. The Hospital is ISO 9001: 2000 certified and has over 35 leading Ophthalmologists visiting it. It has a full-fledged Retina Department with all state of art diagnostic techniques required for diagnosing Low Vision impairment.

Highly qualified optometrist from the Lotus College of Optometry evaluate the patients for their visual task and skills, and the required low vision device are prescribed. For the convenience of the patients most of the prescribed devices are made available in the department itself and training to utilize the same is also been imparted.