Low Vision Services Navigation

Navigation services help individuals make sense of complex medical conditions.

Vision loss can be challenging to understand because:

• Glasses often no longer make a noticeable difference.
• Mild vision loss can impact everyday life. 
• The fear of going blind may be experienced as trauma, especially in progressive conditions like macular degeneration or glaucoma.
• There isn't a central source synthesizing the complex network of low vision services. 
• Financial investment varies from insurance-covered, out-of-pocket, and free. 
• Providers don't have the time for in-depth explanations of the services needed to thrive with vision loss.

Navigation services help you synthesize what is happening to your vision and which services, support, and resources might be the best fit.

During the free 30-minute consultation, we discuss your needs and goals and the services you are already using.

Navigation services might be right for you if:

• You have a recent low vision diagnosis and are unsure where to start.
• You are frustrated that glasses or magnifiers are now ineffective.
• You have nagging concerns and would benefit from relatable explanations.
• You are considering investing in devices or technology and need unbiased recommendations.
• You need your family to better understand your low vision condition and best practices for support.

If navigation services aren't a good match for you, I'll refer you to other services that might be a better fit.

A session with me is individualized and follows a set process:

A 30-minute free consultation to discuss your needs, goals, and your current eye care and low vision services

Once we agree to work together, you will receive an email invitation to the HIPAA-compliant, secure patient portal. You will need to: 

Complete the intake forms

Submit a credit card or debit card for payment

Upload an updated eye exam to the patient portal. Eye exams need to be within the past year and reflect any significant change in vision. 

I recommend having a vision buddy attend the appointment(s) if you benefit from tech support or another pair of eyes and ears.

We begin with reviewing your eye exam and the implications of the findings.

We then address your questions and concerns.

To close, we discuss community-based and virtual services, resources, devices, and technology that would most effectively meet your needs and goals.

After the session, you will receive a summary via encrypted, HIPAA-compliant email within 48 hours.

Additional one-hour sessions are available.

Throughout my years in low vision, my clients have told me that one of the most valuable services they received during their low vision journey has been my answering questions such as:

• "Why did my eye doctor say that there's nothing more that can be done for my vision?"
• "Why didn't my doctor refer me to low vision services?"
• "Did cataract surgery cause my macular degeneration to get worse?"
• "Why can't I get an eyeglasses prescription that works?"
• "Why do I have to go to the eye doctor every three or six months, but nothing seems to happen at the appointments?"
• "I've heard about low vision driving. Can it work for me?"
• "Why doesn't insurance cover low vision equipment?"
• "My friend has glasses that read to him. Should I get those?"

My qualifications include over 20 years of providing vision rehabilitation to a broad population of individuals with vision loss crossing the lifespan from children to older adults. 

I'm recognized as a subject-matter expert in low vision due to my active leadership in the field, including presenting, mentoring, and writing about leading-edge low vision topics. 

Additionally:

• I earned a master's degree in Visual Disabilities from Vanderbilt University (1999).  
• I have been a certified low vision therapist (CLVT) through the Academy of Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals since 1999.

The initial Low Vision Navigation session is $125.00 for 90 minutes, including:

• a customized, low-vision resource list
• a summary with easy-to-follow next steps 

Additional one-hour appointments are available for $75.00 an hour.

I am an independent unaffiliated provider with unbiased recommendations on low devices and services.

If out-of-pocket costs are not an option for you, during the free 30-minute consultation, we can discuss other options for you that might be a better fit. Sliding scale fees may be an option; I take a limited number of sliding scale clients.

Low vision therapy services are educational services that insurance does not cover.

The online scheduling system offers my availability. 

In addition to appointments during typical business hours (Mountain Standard Time), I offer some appointments on weekday evenings and Saturdays.

Payment information is obtained at the time of scheduling and submitted during service. 

Appointments can be canceled 48 hours in advance, without cancellation fees.

If you have to cancel an appointment less than 48 hours in advance, you can reschedule it once during a two-month window. Refunds are not issued.