UPMC’s low vision service diagnoses and treats patients with restricted vision abilities, including varying degrees of vision loss, distorted or blurred vision, night blindness, loss of contrast, sensitivity to light, and others. Low vision can be caused by a birth defect, complications from an injury or illness, or as part of the aging process, and usually cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses alone.
Following the assessment of a patient's functional visual ability, the ophthalmologists and other eye care professionals may prescribe visual aids, such as magnifying glasses, filters, and other adaptive equipment to help a patient maintain or regain as much sight as possible.