Advanced glaucoma and low vision: Evaluation and treatment

Abstract

The hallmark of glaucoma is progressive vision loss, albeit in the early stages the vision loss is peripheral and often not discernible to the patient. Patients with advanced glaucoma may have significant vision loss, both peripheral and central, possibly with devastating impact on the patient's ability to perform their activities of daily living. Advanced glaucoma can be one of the most challenging and difficult conditions for the vision rehabilitation specialist to treat. The degree of success with the rehabilitation therapies currently available is limited, and rehabilitation itself does not protect against further vision loss that may continue to worsen even with the best medical and surgical care available to the patient. When the patient incurs vision loss that is functionally disabling, it is incumbent on the eye care provider, either ophthalmologist or optometrist, to have a strategy for vision rehabilitation (low vision) in place. Some rehabilitation services are easily provided in the office setting, while others must be referred out of office to provide the services the patient needs. © 2010 Springer-Verlag New York.