Patient expectations from medical or surgical treatment of vision threatening eye conditions

Two recent articles point out the expectations of patients being treated for vision impairing conditions and show the importance of having two eye doctors. One doctor to follow and treat the disease and another, a low vision doctor,to help the patient achieve their goal of being able to see the best that they are capable of. 
In the May 1, 2019 Retinal Physician authors Rashid M. Taher, MD and Marc Jay Gannon, OD ask the question, "Why would patients subject themselves to surgery or the trauma of getting an injection directly into their eye? The simple answer is that patients want to see. They want to participate in those activities that make them feel vital, happy and authentically themselves. Even if the condition is cured or stabilized, without restoring sight, clinicians have missed the mark as far as patients are concerned."
From the May 15, 2019 British Journal of Ophthalmology a study is reported in which 45 glaucoma patients undergoing medical treatments or surgery were interviewed to determine their opinions regarding the outcomes of the glaucoma treatments.The take home message from the study was that "Social factors such as the ability to maintain a driving license, live independently, care for family and have a good social life were reported to be the most important outcomes expected by the patients."
If you are being treated for some condition that has impaired your vision be sure that your doctor understands how important it is to you to be able to be able to read, drive, recognize friends faces, watch your children or grandchildren play sports, use a computer, maintain your social life, etc. Let the doctor know how important your independence is to you. Ask for help seeing better. You may be told that nothing will help. That is the time to contact a low vision optometrist line me.
You can call me for a free telephone consultation. I'll ask a few questions to help me understand your vision and your goals. I'll tell you if I can help you. I only schedule patients for a low vision evaluation if I feel I can help them see better. Call me at 866 321-2030