The low vision exam
A longer visit, at your pace
It is more than an eye chart. Dr. Wardlaw asks what you want to do, measures how you see, and tries things with you until something helps.
Plan on about an hour and a half. You may sit as long as you need and rest when you like. We explain each step before it begins, and a relative is welcome to stay with you.
Your eye health is checked as part of the visit
A glasses prescription is part of it too
You try devices with your own mail, pen and phone
At the visit
Six steps, start to finish
- 01
Step 1: A talk
What is hard now? Reading, faces, cooking, getting around. About 15 minutes.
- 02
Step 2: Your eye health
The front and back of the eye are checked. If something needs the doctor who manages your eyes, we say so.
- 03
Step 3: How you see
Big-print charts, contrast and side vision, with bright light and no rush. About 30 minutes.
- 04
Step 4: Trying things
Lenses, magnifiers, lamps and screens, one at a time. About 30 minutes.
- 05
Step 5: Your plan
What helped and where to use it, written down in large print, with a time to come back. About 15 minutes.
- 06
Step 6: Before you go
A copy of your prescription, a written estimate for anything you pay yourself, and a hand to the car if you want one.
Before you come
Billing, what to bring and who sees you
How it is billed
A vision plan, medical insurance or you, depending on the part of the visit. We check your benefits before you come.
How fees workWhat to bring
Your current glasses
Any magnifier you already use
Insurance cards
A list of your eye drops and medicines
A letter or a label you want to read
The doctor who does it
Dr. Wardlaw does the whole exam herself, with Jazlyn Avalos beside her.
Our doctor
Questions about the exam
What is low vision?
It means sight that regular glasses cannot fully correct, so everyday things get hard: reading mail, seeing faces, pouring a drink, crossing a street. It is common with eye disease and as we get older. You do not need a certain diagnosis to come.
Is this a regular eye exam too?
The low vision exam includes a check of your eye health and a glasses prescription. If you want a yearly exam for your glasses as well, say so when you book and we will plan the time.
How long will the visit take?
Plan on about an hour and a half. We do not rush, you can rest whenever you like, and we explain each step before we begin.
Book your exam
Choose a time online, or call. A relative can call for you.