Spotting clearly behind the wheel doesn’t need to be impossible. Many individuals with low vision have been able to drive using cutting-edge low vision glasses.

These unique eyeglasses contain a miniature telescope embedded within their regular frames. A recent design allows users to toggle between magnified and unmagnified views as desired.

Side Vision Awareness Glasses (SVAG)

SVAG were designed and donated by an IALVS member as optical field expansion devices to aid people suffering from hemianopsia due to stroke or brain injury. By increasing patient awareness of their environment and decreasing safety concerns, these SVAG can expand patient’s quality of life and extend lifespan.

Patients suffering from hemianopsia often report anxiety and difficulty performing daily tasks like meal preparation or driving. Some individuals even fear venturing out fearing they may bump into someone or fall off a curb; SVAG provides hope to these individuals by helping to restore their confidence and independence.

By combining five optical features, SVAG lenses increase a patient’s viewing area and awareness of objects and surroundings. Unlike devices that superimpose narrow peripheral images over one’s central vision, these flat lens designs do not show any obvious “thick button.” They are lighter and more comfortable for wearers to learn to use and easier for newcomers to learn to use properly.

SVAG not only reduces safety concerns but can help patients to reengage with many activities they enjoy like walking and bicycling, family events and enjoying family gatherings – sometimes they even restore driving ability! So contact a low vision specialist near you today to see how SVAG could make a positive difference in your life!

Dr. Fakhoury is an extremely qualified Low Vision Optometrist who possesses extensive expertise in diagnosing, managing and rehabilitating visual loss caused by stroke, trauma or other conditions that lead to blindness. Currently he serves as staff optometrist at Cook County Health and Hospitals while simultaneously holding clinical appointments at both University of Illinois Eye Institute/Illinois College of Optometry as well as Midwestern University School of Optometry.

Midwest Low Vision can assist in your pursuit of improved vision and quality of life with its low vision glasses, including SVAG technology. Please reach out and contact one of our eye doctors who have been specifically trained on how best to utilize this cutting-edge solution. Together we look forward to achieving improved vision and an enhanced quality of life together.

Bioptic Telescope Glasses

Bioptic glasses can be an excellent solution for those experiencing mild to moderate central vision loss while still having sufficient peripheral vision. Worn on top of regular prescription eyeglasses, bioptic lenses feature a telescopic lens which enables wearers to identify distant objects more clearly while improving far distance vision. With various powers and sizes to meet individual’s visual needs, Bioptics glasses may help drivers meet standard legal driving acuity requirements more easily by helping them see far away road signs and traffic lights more easily.

Bioptic telescope glasses can be an efficient and safe way for those with low vision to drive safely. To use them correctly, practice at home or familiar environments before trying them while driving – starting off slowly can prevent eye strain and help ensure you can switch easily between viewing with and without the telescope.

At the initial assessment for bioptic driving, an eye doctor or low vision specialist will assess your current vision to see if you qualify as an ideal candidate for this assistive device. If so, they will recommend specific glasses and offer guidance and training services as needed.

Dennis Kelleher was able to use bioptics successfully pass his California DMV driving exam. Originally he failed the exam because his normal best corrected vision could not read any letters on the 20/40 line of the chart – however when Dr Mehr set up a Designs for Vision 3.0X Galilean bioptic telescope on trial frame for Dennis, all but two letters could now be read accurately!

As a result, he passed the DMV driving test and obtained his driver’s license. Since then, he has used his vehicle to access work and other locations needing transportation; although not as often as would like due to being on disability leave from school. Although still independent from relying on others for transportation needs.

Prismatic Glasses

If you suffer from hemianopia or diplopia, prism glasses may help restore some of your vision. They work by bending light entering your eyes to realign images seen by both eyes, making it simpler for your brain to process a single image as one whole image.

Glasses with clear lenses can help improve depth perception, as well as decrease glare to make movement around easier on your retinas.

Your eye doctor may suggest these glasses if you suffer from strabismus, which causes your eyes to misalign improperly. They can correct misalignments by helping your brain interpret both images correctly, producing one clear image. Furthermore, these glasses may improve depth perception, making it easier for you to walk or drive without encountering obstacles or having to move your head too frequently.

Prism glasses may also help improve binocular vision. This may be an issue in certain conditions such as myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease characterized by muscle weakness. People living with myasthenia gravis must use both eyes together and possess good depth perception in order to perform certain jobs safely; prism glasses may assist with improving this aspect and decreasing symptoms such as double vision and blurry vision.

Your eye doctor may suggest purchasing prism glasses. Your prescription will include a prism correction field which outlines which type of prism you require – vertical (vert) or horizontal (horizon). In addition, your lens should display information regarding power and direction (such as +2.00 BD) of this prism.

Prism glasses can be an extremely effective solution to correcting double vision, and are usually recommended to be worn constantly to achieve optimal results. But it is also important not to overlook other low vision needs – and your eye care professional can offer guidance regarding the strategies and aids that might best help manage them so you can continue enjoying life as usual.

Vision Training

G Vision helps drivers maintain improved focus during difficult driving conditions such as rain, snow or headlight glare. Additionally, this program may help those dealing with visual-perceptual disorders, developmental disabilities and problems caused by brain injuries (e.g. stroke) to maintain better focus on the road ahead.

Contrast sensitivity testing can assist individuals who have lost contrast sensitivity due to cataract or refractive surgery in determining if they remain safe to drive. While no minimum requirements exist for color vision, all drivers should be able to distinguish traffic lights’ colours easily.

Individuals using bioptic glasses (bioptic devices) or hemicopia aids can still qualify as drivers if their vision meets the standards established in their jurisdiction. The use of these devices must, however, be assessed individually due to possible side effects including loss of visual field or distortion/apparent motion in their environment caused by magnification-induced magnification-induced distortion and/or apparent motion caused by magnification-induced magnification and magnification-induced distortion/apparent motion caused by magnification-induced magnification-induced magnification-induced distortion/apparent motion which could create numerous issues including loss of visual field and magnification-induced distortion/appearance motion in visual environments; all persons newly monocular should receive an examination, with both an acuity/visual field assessment to establish their safety when driving safely;