Low Vision Optometrist In St. Louis, Missouri
A common statement we hear from our patients is "Our previous Retinologist or Ophthalmologist said that there was nothing further that can be done.” This is a common misconception!
Low Vision Optometry is a highly technical area of optometry which requires extensive training and education. Members of The IALVS have spent years developing advanced solutions which maximize the usefulness and effectiveness of remaining vision.
Your Ophthalmologist or Retinologist is focused on the medical aspect of your eye condition. While not all patients can be helped with Low Vision aids, most patients that we fit with custom optics or other Low Vision devices experience a profound improvement in their everyday quality of life.
One of the hardest realities of living with low vision is the need to constantly rely on others. Transitioning to a lifestyle of dependency is traumatic both for the person with low vision, as well as their families. Many times the spouse or child will be left to run errands, drive the patient around, cook and clean and much more.
Low vision aids may give the patient the freedom to perform the tasks they require and regain their self-sufficiency.
Dr. Jill Mogil is a Low Vision Optometrist and a member of the International Academy Of Low Vision Specialists, a professional organization dedicated to enabling low vision patients access to the optical and digital technology that will transform their lives. Dr. Jill Mogil is passionate about low vision care and making a difference in our communities.
Over 35 Years Of Helping People To See Better
Low Vision is a condition, whether caused by eye disease, genetics, trauma, or other events, where fully corrected vision with conventional glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery, remains insufficient to do what you want to do.
Some consider low vision to be less than 20/40 vision. Others consider it to be less than 20/70 vision. However, The International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS) believes that the inability to see well enough to do those tasks you want to continue doing, even with your best glasses (contacts or refractive surgery) is sufficient reason to seek the help of a low vision optometrist.
In a case of Low Vision, the patient is typically unable to perform basic everyday tasks. This includes:
- Difficulty with getting around independently
- Driving
- Using the computer
- Watching television
- Recognizing Faces
- Reading
- Writing
- etc.
The burden of such a sudden loss of independence means that Low Vision not only robs the patient of functional capability, it also leaves the patient mentally and emotionally devastated.
While commonly associated with seniors over the age of 60, Low Vision also affects children and adults of all ages. Age-Related Macular Degeneration is the most common cause for Low Vision in the US, however patients from all over Missouri visit for Low Vision care for a wide variety of conditions and diseases.
Dr. Jill M. Mogil helps patients to maximize their remaining vision to its full potential, in order to recover and save vision functionality. With the help of vision aids, such as highly specialized Low Vision optics and spectacles, patients can regain their independence. Dr. Mogil has helped patients from all over Missouri, with eye diseases such as Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Stargardts, Albinism related vision issues, Glaucoma, and more. “My goal is for you to reclaim the ability to carry out tasks that are important to you. Tasks such as driving a car, reading the newspaper, recognizing faces, watching TV, playing cards or games, cooking, and anything that matters in your life.” As a member of the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS) — a network of low vision optometrists — Dr. Mogil has intensively studied low vision care. “We are committed to maximizing our patient’s vision and help them live their best lives.”
During your low vision eye exam, Dr. Jill Mogil will determine your level of vision, see if new regular glasses will be an improvement, discuss your wish list and help decide the best solution to help you regain as much day to day functioning as possible.
You will discuss with Dr. Mogil what your specific vision goals are, such as reading, writing, recognizing faces, watching TV, or driving. A determination as to which areas of your vision are lacking, whether central or peripheral? Dr. Mogil will then recommend which low vision aids or devices will help you do what you want to do. You will then experiment with trial frames and lenses so that you can actually experience the enhanced vision. The low vision exam takes about an hour and half.
A Low Vision Eye Exam should be conducted as soon as you have received a diagnosis of an eye disease or condition that could lead to Low Vision. A Low Vision optometrist stays up to date on the latest research in slowing down the progression of vision loss, so it is essential to book a Low Vision exam right away. Most of our patients visit us after years of struggling with severe vision loss. If you or a loved one have a visual impairment, call Dr Mogil for a complimentary phone consultation to understand how you may be helped. If you are in doubt our St. Louis low vision optometrist can help, we encourage you to call and Dr. Jill Mogil will be happy to discuss your concerns on the phone.
Our patients are often moved to tears when they can get back to doing the things they love. We have shared some of our patient's experiences in order to show the dramatic life-changing nature of low vision care.
Driving rules are complex and constantly changing. We have helped low vision patients from all over Missouri remain independet with bioptic telescope glasses..
How Can A Low Vision Eye Doctor Help Me?
Our Low Vision Optometrist, Dr. Jill Mogil, helps patients from all over Missouri, with eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, cataracts, vision issues related to albinism, and more, to maximize their remaining vision to its full potential in order to recover and save vision functionality. This is done with the help of highly specialized Low Vision optics/glasses and other vision aids that help patients regain their independence.
Dr. Jill Mogil, our Low Vision eye doctor, is passionate about helping people recover their day to day functioning. Too many patients leave their ophthalmologist or retinologist thinking there is nothing more that can be done but manage the disease to prevent further vision loss.
As a member of the International Academy Of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS), the premier organization of Low Vision Optometrists, Dr Mogil has received extensive training to learn how to help patients maximize their remaining vision. Using the latest devices and technology has enabled many people to read, drive, sew, play cards, watch television, and use the computer—all of which would be impossible without these Low Vision Aids.
At Gateway Low Vision, we help patients from all over Central, Eastern, Northern and Southern Missouri, enjoy life after vision loss .
Meet Our Low Vision Optometrist
Did you know that most US states allow driving with bioptic telescopes?
Custom fit bioptic telescope glasses allow a driver to alternate between a normal view and a magnified view to read road signs, see traffic lights and emergencies.
This is similar to using the side or rear view mirrors as needed in normal driving. Our Low Vision Doctor, Dr. Jill Mogil, has enabled countless patients in Missouri to regain the ability to drive again.
There Is Hope For Families Of Low Vision Patients
If your father, mother, spouse or child is visually impaired, it can cause intense tension and strain at home. Your loved one suffering from Low Vision will likely be stressed, angry, or depressed about his or her condition and loss of independence. It is important to keep in mind the incredible stress that vision loss causes. As family members, you should encourage your loved ones to explore the possibilities that low vision care opens up. Members of the IALVS use demonstrator low vision glasses and devices during the low vision evaluation to show the patient how they can keep performing the desired tasks. If the patient does not want to speak with Dr. Jill Mogil, we encourage children or spouses to talk to Dr. Jill Mogil to discuss how we can help.
Our Specialty Eye Care Devices
CLEAR IMAGE PRISMATIC READER
E-SCOOP MEN'S FRAME, ORANGE LENS
FULL DIAMETER TELESCOPE GLASSES
E-SCOOP WOMEN'S FRAME, YELLOW LENS
ONE PIECE PRISMATIC MICROSCOPE
LOWER POWER TELESCOPE GLASSES
SIDE VISION AWARENESS GLASSES
BIOPTIC LENSES