Low vision services remain in high demand at NSU-Broken Arrow

(Broken Arrow, Okla.)--The Lesley L. Walls Vision Center in Broken Arrow, part of Northeastern State Universitys Oklahoma College of Optometry, has provided services to roughly 300 patients since opening in January of last year. The center offers diagnostic, therapeutic and treatment services combined with state-of-the-art corrective devices. The Lesley L. Walls Vision Center is open to the public and partners with NewView Oklahoma.

Mary Chase took advantage of both the low vision services and the occupational therapy services to get the most out of her treatment. While riding in the car with a friend, Chase noticed that the telephone poles were crooked. The friend suggested that she get it checked out as a relative of hers had the same problem and was diagnosed with macular degeneration. Chase was eventually also diagnosed with macular degeneration and her retinal specialist referred her to the Lesley L. Walls Vision Center.

After receiving a comprehensive low vision evaluation, Chase was prescribed specially designed reading glasses for reading text and a portable illuminated magnifier thereby enhancing her ability to read small print such as prices, labels, prescriptions and reading in low-light settings such as menus in restaurants. She was also prescribed glasses with a telescope at the top of the lens. With a slight tilt of the head, Chase can magnify images at greater distances, allowing her to recognize people across the room that she couldn't identify before. She can also view her piano music well enough to resume playing thanks to a slight adjustment to her telescope.

In addition to her low vision services, Chase also received in-home occupational therapy as well as orientation and mobility training from the staff at NewView Oklahoma. Because of the treatment she received, Chase is now able to cook safely and meet friends for yoga just a few of the activities she had given up due to vision loss.

Although the Lesley L. Walls Vision Center has been open less than a year, there is already a growing list of those wishing to receive low vision services.

The fact that we have a waiting list is a testament to the need for these services. Patients have the unique opportunity to not only get specialty treatment in this low vision center, but they can continue their care at home with services from NewViewOklahoma, Dr. David Lewerenz, chief of low vision services and associate professor at NSUs College of Optometry said.

He hopes more patients will also take advantage of NewView's occupational therapy, mobility and assistive technology services, which can help patients adapt their environments to be safer, with a broader range of function and allow them to re-engage with activities theyd had to abandon prior to treatment.

Dr. Lewerenz added, Connecting a clinical teaching program with a non-profit private organization such as NewView Oklahoma allows us to provide truly comprehensive care to a population of people who are at risk of losing their independence. It is also a good experience for our students, who are able to see the value of a multidisciplinary approach.

While exact numbers are not available, approximately 17,000 people with visual impairment live in Tulsa and the surrounding counties.

Estimating that 40 percent of people living in assisted living and nursing homes have vision loss uncorrectable with ordinary glasses or medical treatment, Lauren Branch, president/CEO of NewView Oklahoma said, Simple, yet effective techniques could allow most of these patients to remain in their home. The low vision professionals at NewView Oklahoma and the Lesley L. Walls Vision Center provide not only comprehensive services that will enable these individuals to navigate their home and communities, but will allow them to remain independent and live the life they desire.

According to Prevent Blindness America, a leading eye health and safety organization, the impact of eye disorders and vision loss in the United States this year was $139 billion. In the state of Oklahoma, the sum of direct and indirect costs were calculated to be more than $1.7 billion. Just over half of the vision care costs, 56 percent, were for populations age 65 and older. The chronic, age-related diseases identified in the study were cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. Without preventive actions to stop or slow progression of these diseases, the number of residents with impaired vision in the state could more than double over the next 30 years.

Chase said, I hope that others that happen to be listening to me will not give up hope, but realize that there is so much help out there and we have only touched the surface. There is so much more that can be done with my own efforts and with others that will help me through this period in my life.

The center takes referrals from eye doctors and recently has expanded its insurance options. For more information, call 918-449-6210.