Frequently Asked Questions

Low vision is when the eyes are no longer seeing well with traditional glasses, contact lenses, medication, or eye surgery treatment, or when your vision interferes with your independence.

Low vision can result from a variety of diseases and injuries that affect the eye. Many people with low vision have age-related macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy. Age-related macular degeneration accounts for almost 45% of all cases of low vision. Peripheral field loss or eye movement disorders can also be caused by an acquired brain injury, stroke, or other neurologic condition.

People with low vision experience physical, economic, and psychological changes that diminish their quality of life. Without assistance and training, patient may have difficulty using low vision devices and completing necessary daily living tasks such as:

• Grooming

• Meal Preparation

• Financial Management

• Home Maintenance

• Shopping

• Reading

• Community and Leisure Activities

Occupational therapists help people with low vision impairment that have a loss of ability to perform necessary activities of daily living in the following ways:

• Teach people to use their remaining vision as best as possible to complete activities

• Help modify activities so that they can be completed even with reduced vision

• Train people in the use of adaptive equipment to compensate for vision loss

• Create a safe home environment to prevent falls and injuries

Occupational therapists work closely with the eye doctor. The eye doctor may prescribe optical aids and the occupational therapist teaches the patient how to use these aids in various activities of daily living. Occupational therapists help determine if any other factors may interfere with the use of equipment, i.e., arthritic joints, upper and lower extremity weakness, and lack of endurance.

Legal blindness is defined in the USA as central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with best correction, or field of vision less than 20 degrees.

Vision loss can have a profound impact on your psychosocial health and wellbeing. Research has found that many with low vision suffer from depression, or low vision can make cognitive impairments worse. At Magnify, we are here to listen, provide understanding, and help problem solve your low vision together.

The stages of grief, as described by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, typically include:

1. Denial: Initially, individuals may deny the reality of the loss, finding it difficult to accept.

2. Anger: As the truth sets in, people may experience anger, directed at themselves, others, or even the deceased.

3. Bargaining: Some may attempt to make deals or bargains to reverse or mitigate the loss.

4. Depression: Feelings of deep sadness and despair are common during this stage.

5. Acceptance: Ultimately, individuals come to terms with the loss, finding a way to move forward with their lives.

It’s important to note that not everyone experiences these stages in the same way or order, and some may not go through all of them. Grief is a highly individual process.

The Caregiver’s “Needs Pyramid“ is a concept described by psychologist Steven G Wiet, Ph.D. that highlights the various needs of caregivers.

It can be summarized as follows, with the most fundamental needs at the base and progressing upward:

1. Help Me Make Better Decisions:
   According to Dr. Wiet, a caregiver is constantly searching for answers to legal, medical, healthcare professional and financial questions. Since personal time is usually at a
   premium, be sure to take full advantage of all the resources available, as they can help you to make informed decisions quickly and easily.

2. Simplify My Life:
   Prioritize tasks and take them on one at a time. And, of course, always be on the lookout for products, solutions, and services that will help. This kind of approach can then lead to the next part of the pyramid.

3. Peace of Mind:
   That’s when the caregiver can feel more free to shift from the needs of the recipient to other obligations, such as attentiveness to work or other family members. Sometimes this stage is possible only when the caregiver has additional help or support systems, such as an eldercare community center, or a visiting healthcare professional.

4. Time for Me:
   The ultimate goal at the top of the pyramid. Solutions that allow time for personal pampering result in healthier, more emotionally stable caregivers. And that can have only a positive effect on the recipient.

The pyramid illustrates the progressive nature of caregiver needs, with self-care as the essential starting point for effective caregiving.

Occupational therapy is a unique health profession that is concerned with the ability of people to independently participate in their meaningful daily activities, or “occupations."

Magnify accepts Medicare & Medicaid.

We are an out-of-network practice for commercial insurance, however, we provide a super bill, compliant with insurance company standards, which can be filed by the patient for reimbursement purposes.

To learn more, visit our Insurance page or contact us.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your health care will cost.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have certain types of health care coverage or who are not using certain types of health care coverage an estimate of their bill for health care items and services before those items or services are provided.

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any health care items or services upon request or when scheduling such items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

• If you schedule a health care item or service at least 3 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 1 business day after scheduling.

• If you schedule a health care item or service at least 10 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 3 business days after scheduling.

• You can also ask any health care provider or facility for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you do, make sure the healthcare provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 3 business days after you ask.

• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more for any provider or facility than your Good Faith Estimate from that provider or facility, you can dispute the bill.

• Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate and the bill.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit https://www.cms.gov/medical-bill-rights, email FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov, or call 1-800-985-3059.