Low vision is a significant vision impairment caused by eye or other health conditions. Low vision can impact an individual’s life suddenly or gradually in many ways including difficulty reading, managing routine tasks, recognizing faces and places, using technology, and participating in social, recreational and work activities.
While this vision loss is usually permanent and cannot be reversed or cured through eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery, vision rehabilitation care and therapies provided by the St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired can help individuals with vision loss maximize their remaining eyesight, maintain their independence, and continue to participate in the activities that bring them fulfillment and joy.
Our Drews Low Vision Clinic provides functional vision assessments using a rehabilitation model. The clinic is staffed by a Doctor of Optometry and occupational therapists who specialize in low vision services. The process to develop each client’s personalized care plan begins with a vision exam to determine if there are prescriptive optical aids or non-prescriptive vision aids that will help the patient best utilize their remaining sight. This exam compliments a primary eye doctor’s medical exam by looking at how visual functioning may be enhanced. Following the low vision assessment exam, clients meet with our low vision therapists to test and learn how to use the tools recommended by the doctor.
LOW VISION STAFF:
- Dr. Kate Boland
- Dr. Jessica Broodryk
- Jennifer Lauer, OTD, Director of Adult Services
- Mariko Lighthart, Low Vision Occupational Therapist
- Gina Cusac, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Michelle Harrell, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Ali Lambert, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Low Vision Therapy Services
Most exams by the Society’s doctors will result in a referral for low vision therapy training which will assist in the identification and proper use of non-prescriptive aids such as magnifiers, lighting and task lamps, computers and electronic zoom magnification. For optimal benefit, multiple scheduled appointments are recommended.
Low Vision Aids
During the low vision rehabilitation process, clients will learn about different low vision and adaptive living aids to assist them in using their remaining vision such as:
- Different strengths and types of magnifiers
- Different types of lighting to optimize reading
- Monocular and telescopic aids to assist with near and distance viewing
- Special sunglasses that best suit specific eye conditions and can assist with glare.
- CCTV electronic screen magnification reading devices sale or rental
LV Medical Exam and Therapy
Most exams with the Low Vision optometrists are approximately 90 minutes in length. Follow-up therapy appointments are 60 to 90 minutes in length.
If you use any eyeglasses or magnifiers please bring them with you. Other items that may be used to assist with evaluation during your appointment include medication labels, utility bills, bank statements, menus or any other special items used on a regular basis.
Fees & Insurance Coverage
The Society’s clinic and physician and low vision therapy services are covered by Medicare and most insurance plans. Patients are responsible for any copay amount and a refraction charge ($45) if a new eyeglass prescription is required/desired. Copays apply to both the exam and occupational therapy.
Financial Assistance
Please speak with the Society’s social work staff prior to your low vision exam or therapy appointments to complete a financial assistance application if you may need help covering the physician and therapy visit fees or aids and device purchases.
Location of Clinic
The Drews Low Vision Clinic exams and therapy are provided at the Society’s offices: 8770 Manchester Road, St. Louis, MO (southeast corner of Brentwood Blvd. and Manchester Road). Some low vision therapy may be provided in the client’s home.
To Make an Appointment, call 314-968-9000.
Appointments: Tuesday – Thursday, 8:45 – 4:00 p.m. (last scheduled appointment start time at 2:00 p.m.)
Transportation Assistance
If clients do not have transportation available through family, caregivers, public transportation or other providers, the Society’s transportation services can assist.
Transportation services are offered Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and should be scheduled by the client. There is no fee for the Society van trips, but a contribution will be gratefully accepted to help offset costs: $5 one-way or $10 roundtrip within St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis, and $10 one-way or $20 roundtrip for trips to and from St. Charles or Jefferson County. There is no additional fee for a human guide to accompany the client, but you should inform the driver when making the appointment.
Current clients of the Society should call Rose at 314-301-7396 to set up a ride. If you are not a client of the Society and would like to learn more about our services, please call 314-968-9000.
St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired Transportation Services
Drews Low Vision Clinic History
Under the guidance and leadership of Dr. Robert Drews and recognizing the growing needs of adults experiencing age-related vision loss, the Society established a low vision clinic in 1989. Services began with an optometrist and therapy assistant on-site one half-day each week. As the referrals and need for additional services grew, the Society expanded services in 2009 to a full-time clinic with multiple providers.
Dr. Leslie C. Drews (1905 – 1961)
Dr. Leslie Drews was a prominent ophthalmologist who joined the Society for the Blind’s Board of Directors in 1953 and served until he passed away in 1961. During his time as a member of the Society’s Board Directors, Dr. Drews provided crucial leadership and gave counsel related to blindness and vision loss.
Dr. Leslie Drews completed his undergraduate and medical school training at Washington University in St. Louis. He joined the Saint Louis University Department of Ophthalmology in 1929 and served as the department’s co-chair from 1953 – 1956. Dr. Drews was appointed to the staff of Washington University from 1956 – 1961 as Associate Professor, and also served on the Medical Staffs of 11 area hospitals. He was elected to the American Ophthalmological Society in 1942 at the remarkably young age of 37, and published a number of papers during his career.
Robert C. Drews, MD, FACS, FRCOphth (1930 – 2017)
Dr. Robert C. Drews was the son of renowned ophthalmologist Dr. Leslie Drews and served as a member of the St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired’s Board of Directors from 1963 -2017.
Dr. Drews completed his medical school training and Residency in ophthalmology at Washington University, where he served as chief resident in 1958 -1959 before serving at the U.S. Naval Hospital. Dr. Drews returned to St. Louis to go into private practice, served on the Medical Staffs of several area hospitals and taught in the Washington University Department of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Drews was an ophthalmologist, author, photographer, and inventor of numerous medical instruments for the eye. His expertise in lens implantation and cataract surgery was recognized throughout the world.