98 Year Old Pilot with Macular Degeneration

One of the important things about helping people with impaired vision see better is understanding the activities that they’d most like help with.  I always ask people that question when I first talk with them by phone.  With that information and their answers to some other questions, I’m able to tell them if I’ll be able to help.  I ask them to bring examples of things that they want to see better.  People bring in their newspaper, magazines, their Bible, recipes, hobbies or crafts.  By doing that we can be sure that I am helping with what’s most important to them.

This week an interesting, 98 year old gentleman with macular degeneration, came to receive the near telescopic glasses that I prescribed for him.  Glasses similar to these.  He is a life-long pilot.  Although he no longer flies his plane himself, he sits next to the pilot and wants to be able to see the instruments.  I’d designed the near telescopic glasses to focus 20 inches from his face and below eye level.  That’s where the instruments are located.

I adjusted the glasses to fit his face and asked him to read from a near acuity card.  Then, his friend and fellow pilot showed him a picture of one of the instruments on his cell phone.  He held the picture at 20 inches and my patient said “Perfect!’.  He could see it well and read it.  Just what he wanted.  By looking above the telescopes he will be able to see out the windshield of his plane.

I’ve prescribed low vision glasses for many uses but this was the first time they are to be used to see the instruments in an airplane.

I’m glad that they will help this nice man enjoy his time in the airplane and hope he gets lots of use from them.

If you have low vision and want help seeing better give me a call.  We can talk for a few minutes and I’ll tell you if I can help you.  There’s no charge for the telephone consultation.  Call me at 866 321 2030.  I’d love to help you.