KYCO Low Vision Clinic: A better life in sight In addition to teaching optometry classes, Assistant Professor of Optometry Ben Konig, O.D., works in the Low Vision and Vision Rehabilitation Specialty Clinic at the Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO). Here, patients with vision impairments are examined to determine how the clinic can improve their sight. These patients most commonly have age-related macular degeneration, though some have glaucoma or other ocular conditions.
“Our goals are to help these patients have a better quality of life and to help them to be able to do the activities that they would like to do, but can’t due to their decreased vision,” Konig explained. “Appalachia is an area with one of the highest incidence of visual impairment, and our clinic is one of the few vision rehabilitation clinics within an hour of Pikeville.”
Pikeville College graduate and 91-year-old retired elementary school teacher Mary Spradlin ’60 is grateful to return to campus and visit the clinic, where she has received treatment to help improve her sight.
“Now that my vision is better, I am so excited that I can read the scripture in my Sunday School lesson book, and I can even read the phone book,” said Spradlin. “The staff at the Low Vision Clinic were so nice and took wonderful care of me. I appreciate being able to see things I couldn’t before.”
Patients at the clinic are also provided with education and instructions on assistive technology, such as the accessibility functions of computers, cell phones and tablets. Additionally, patients are educated on nearby services, such as the Kentucky Talking Book Library and the Blind Services Division of the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Appointments are made on a referral basis, either from an optometrist or ophthalmologist, or through the school system for students who need low vision rehabilitation.
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