A woman from Ballina on the NSW north coast cried when she was able to read a book using a state of the art VEO magnifier, having lived for ten years with severe vision impairment. A man from Coorparoo in Queensland celebrated his 100th birthday by working his way through a mountain of paperwork and accessing files on his computer using his new Clearview C Flex 24.
Both are enjoying renewed independence and quality of life with assistance from vision aids and technology specifically tailored to meet their lifestyle and visual needs.
Faced with an ageing population, demand for low vision aids and technologies is expected to rise in coming years as people seek out new ways to make the most of their remaining vision and to maintain or regain independence, increasing their quality of life.
Optometry and ophthalmology clinics are best-placed to inform their patients with irreversible vision loss about the new low vision aids and services available around Australia.
Referral to traditional pathways such as Low Vision Clinics remains an important part of patient care; however they often involve a “whole-of-life” assessment covering daily living, mobility and help around the home. A separate additional assessment that just looks at suitable low vision aids is also required.
Tim Connell from Quantum RLV says referrals to both pathways are essential for achieving optimum clinical outcomes. “With the right low vision devices and training many people with vision impairment can continue to read, take care of their own finances, view photographs and remain living in their own homes,” he said.
Quantum RLV offers patients an in-home vision aid assessment that includes a demonstration of the many different low vision devices available and a personal trial of equipment that interests them.
“The aim of the assessment is to understand how low vision has impacted on the person’s daily activities and what he or she does or wants to do. This is best done in the home environment using real life examples rather than in a clinic. At the end of the assessment there should be an understanding of what low vision device or devices the person needs,” said Mr Connell.
“We are all different, and there is no one specific device that is ideal for any particular eye disease or condition, so to fully benefit from any low vision product, we always recommend clients trial the equipment first and make sure that the chosen device works best for that individual’s needs.”
Following an assessment and trial, Quantum RLV provides ongoing training and support to the customers as their needs for aids and technology services changes. “Our goal is to get more people to engage with the latest low vision solutions and make it possible for people to maintain independence,” said Mr Connell.
The company has four dedicated showrooms in Australia, and its Low Vision Consultants visit customers’ homes, taking equipment with them for the purposes of demonstration and trial. Quantum RLV also supports Macular Disease Foundation Australia with the provision of trial equipment at the Foundation’s low vision clinic in Sydney.
Quantum RLV can assist optometry and ophthalmology clinics to set up equipment displays and provide professional development training for clinic staff. The company also offers a range of brochures and catalogues outlining its products and services that can be displayed in clinics.
Contact Quantum RLV: 1300 883 853 or visit www.quantumrlv.com.au
