Low Vision Clinics
Persons who have a reduced visual acuity that interferes with educational and day-to-day activities are sometimes referred to as having low vision. As many as 90% of the youth in Iowa who have been identified as having a visual impairment have some degree of usable vision. Several types of low vision devices and tools are available to children with low vision, as well as programming information that may assist these students in overcoming some of their visual difficulties.

Common Questions about Low Vision Clinics
What is a Low Vision Clinic?
Low Vision Clinic offers a special examination to determine if a student’s visual functioning can be enhanced through the use of optical or non-optical devices and adaptive techniques.
Who does the Low Vision Clinic examination?
The vision examination is conducted by a Low Vision Practitioner, a doctor of optometry who has specialized training in working with children with visual impairments. The doctor will measure how well a student sees things that are close and things that are distant, and will determine whether the student can benefit from the use of optical devices or electronic magnification devices.
Is there anyone else involved with the Low Vision Clinic examination?
In addition to the Low Vision Practitioner, the Low Vision Clinic Team includes other professionals who are available to assess and/or address questions or concerns specific to the student’s individual needs, such as use of technology, development of safe and independent travel skills, and educational strategies and techniques.
Who should attend Low Vision Clinic?
Students who have a reduced visual acuity that interferes with educational activities and may benefit from unique accommodations or technologies to access classroom materials should attend Low Vision Clinic.
Does a student have to be a certain age or development level to attend?
Students evaluated at the Low Vision Clinic represent a wide range of ages, developmental levels and abilities and levels of visual functioning. Often, the appropriateness of a low vision clinic evaluation for the child who has additional disabilities depends on variables that need to be considered by the parents, the teacher of the visually impaired, and perhaps other members of the child’s educational team.
How long should we plan to be at an appointment?
Low Vision Clinic examinations take a minimum of one-half hour, but may take longer, depending on specific needs to be addressed and whether the student is seen by team members in addition to the low vision practitioner.
Is there a cost to attend Low Vision Clinic?
The examination is free of cost to parents and school districts. The clinic is funded through a grant from the Iowa Department of Education and donations from the Lions Clubs of Iowa.
What is the benefit to attending a Low Vision Clinic?
- To establish a baseline of acuity measurement and general visual functioning level for all students who have low vision. For very young children or nonverbal children who are not able to respond to a traditional test of acuity measurement, it may be possible to use other methods to obtain a general indication of their level of visual functioning or even a distance acuity equivalent and give a prognosis for expected levels of visual functioning they likely will develop.
- To help parents and teachers better understand their child’s visual condition and visual functioning, i.e. “how” he/she sees.
- To assess visual skills in terms of whether or not vision is a major factor when there are concerns about other developmental areas.
- To determine if low vision devices, technology equipment, or other adaptations and accommodations will likely enhance the student’s functioning level and to assist educational team members with trial and/or acquisition of recommended devices, equipment or strategies.
- To assess vision for the potential to acquire a learner’s permit or driver’s license when appropriate. Many students want to learn if they visually qualify to eventually be able to drive. The low vision practitioner has a great deal of experience and expertise in advising low vision patients in this area. He can counsel the students with regard to the procedures they need to follow for their particular situation and can also provide the written documentation required when appropriate.
- To assess if other related services are indicated, such as orientation and mobility services.
Questions about Low Vision Clinic should be directed to Low Vision Clinic staff at LVC.iaedb@iaedb.org.
Registering for a Low Vision Clinic
Low Vision Clinic takes place during the fall and spring of each school year. Students seen previously at Low Vision Clinic will be contacted by IESBVI to schedule an appointment. TVIs and O&M Specialists will refer students to Low Vision Clinic if they feel the student would benefit from a low vision examination.
- Low Vision Clinic registration form (fall/spring with date)
- Spanish Low Vision Clinic registration form (fall/spring date)
If you need the forms mailed to you via the US post office, please contact IESBVI staff by email at kristine.sinclair@iaedb.org.