Kantaben & Varjivandas Saraiya Low Vision Centre
Winning solutions for diminishing eyesight
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines low vision as visual acuity of less than 6/18 and equal to or better than 3/60 in the better eye with best correction. In other words, when ordinary eyeglasses, intraocular lenses implant or contact lenses cannot provide sharp or clear vision, a person has low vision.
The American Optometric Association divides low vision into two categories:
- Partially sighted: visual acuity between 20/70 and 20/200 with conventional prescription lenses.
- Legally blind: visual acuity no better than 20/200 with conventional correction and/or a restricted field of vision less than 20 degrees wide.
The ratio measurement of vision describes visual acuity, or sharpness of vision, at 20 feet from an object. For example, having 20/70 vision means that you must be at 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 70 feet.
Common types of Low Vision
- Loss of peripheral vision: the inability to see anything on either side, above or below eye level with central vision intact.
- Loss of central vision: a blind spot in the center of the field of vision.
- Night blindness: the inability to see in poorly lit areas.
- Blurred or hazy vision: lack of sharpness of vision resulting in the inability to see fine details.
Common causes of Low Vision
- Onchocerciasis
- Childhood Syndrome or Dystrophy
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Glaucoma
- Age Related Macular Degeneration
- Corneal Opacities
- Genetic Eye Diseases (including retinitis pigmento)
- Albinism
- Optic atrophy
- Vision does not improve less than 6/18 with correction
Common Symptoms
- Decrease distance & near distance vision
- Decreased peripheral or central vision
- Blurred or hazy distance or near vision
- Inability to properly adjust to light or glare
Treatments for Low Vision
- Devices for Farsightedness/ nearsightedness
- Monocular telescope
- Binocular telescope
- Bioptic telescope
- Spectacle model telescope
- Prismo spectacle glasses
- Field expander glasses
- Red, green, yellow, blue filters/clip on
- Spectacle magnifier
- Stand magnifier
- Handheld magnifier
- Dome magnifier
- Pocket magnifier
- Bar magnifier
- Available Assistive Devices
- Portable video magnifier
- Mouse model CCTV
- Desktop CCTV
- Reader device such as Jaws & Magic
- Reading guide, signature guide, bold paper print
At The NAB Workshop for the Blind, we believe that awareness and timely treatment of eyes can save individual from complete blindness. Keeping this in mind the Kantaben & Varjivandas Saraiya Low Vision Centre (LVC) was opened on 19th January 1984.
The center is dedicated to treating people with low vision and has been providing various aids to improve and enhance residual vision at the retina level. The center also provides routine eye checkup along with refractive error, Intraocular pressure slit lamp examination and Fundoscopy.
The following services are provided for free at our Low vision Centre:
- Free eye checkup by Optometrist (From Monday to Friday & every 1st and 3rd Saturday between 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
- Medical assistance and advance treatment by Consulting Eye Surgeon doctor (Once a week every Thursday between 12:30 AM to 2:30 PM)
- Medical Camps & Awareness programs
LVC Team
- Mrs. Shilpa Ashwin Kamble (B. Optometrist, Specialty in contact lens and low vision)
- Dr. Pushpa Hemant Gaikwad (Honorary Eye Surgeon)
LVC Sub-Committee
- Dr. Keiki Mehta
- Dr. Rumi P. Jehangir
- Dr. Zenobia K. Mehta
- Dr. Nita M. Bhogilal
- Mrs. Anahita Dastur
- Telephone Number: +91 22 - 24304347
- Timing: (From Monday to Friday & every 1st and 3rd Saturday between 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
- Address: The NAB Workshop for the Blind, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Opp. Old Passport Office Worli, Mumbai - 400030