Why AMD Patients Require 2 Doctors

Patients with Macular Degeneration deal with two issues: the medical condition that causes vision loss, and vision loss itself.

They, therefore, require two doctors. One doctor to treat the medical condition by preventing AMD from worsening, and a low vision doctor to maximize the patient’s remaining vision.

The first eye doctor is a Retina Specialist, a specialized ophthalmologist who monitors and treats the medical condition that causes vision loss. The second is a low vision optometrist, who provides a variety of low vision aids to enhance the patient’s remaining vision.

What is a Retina Specialist?

A Retina Specialist is an ophthalmologist (medical doctor), who has undergone 1-2 years of additional medical training following residency, also known as a fellowship, on retinal complications. Retina Specialists perform surgeries, such as laser, vitrectomy, and provide regular intraocular injections.

What is a Low Vision Eye Doctor?

Low vision eye doctors are optometrists, and generally, are members of the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS) and have extensive training and experience in dealing with macular degeneration. Their goal is to help the patient learn how to utilize their remaining vision to its fullest potential.

Low vision optometrists, such as Dr. Heather Alcorn, are skilled in treating and managing patients with eye conditions that are not treatable or correctable by medicine, surgery or with traditional corrective glasses. To help patients with macular degeneration function independently, they provide various low vision aids and devices.

What Does a Low Vision Eye Doctor Do?

Low Vision eye doctors, such as Dr. Heather Alcorn, will custom fit low vision aids and devices to aid in both near and distance viewing.