Bioptic Glasses for Driving

Losing your ability to safely drive due to low vision can be extremely demoralizing, as it greatly limits your personal freedom. Fortunately, there are specialized bioptic glasses designed for use while driving that can help you regain that independence and maintain the same quality of life you experience before the onset of low vision.

Call Us

(360) 491-2121

What are Bioptic Glasses?

Bioptic glasses serve a similar function for low vision patients as regular binoculars do for people with normal vision. However, unlike with regular binoculars, bioptic glasses. Designed for low vision patients, they are worn just like regular glasses.

Bioptic glasses look very much like regular ophthalmic glasses, except with the addition of miniature telescope lenses atop one or both lenses. The location of these telescopes is not random; it is very precisely placed above the eye level or line of sight, to enable the wearer to look through them when required, while utilizing the lenses’ regular prescription strength at other times.

Bioptic Glasses for Driving

Driving can be a major challenge for low vision patients. They had to be capable of seeing road conditions, making quick decisions to speed up, slow down, or change lands, as well as to view things like road signs, traffic lights, and other cars at distance.

Bioptic glasses especially help when it comes to focusing on specific objects while driving. Due to the placement of the telescope lenses, a driver will be looking through their regular prescription lenses most of the time, and can, with a simple downward tilt of the head, start looking through the telescope to focus on a specific object in the distance.

Part of the reason the telescopes are placed as they are is that it isn’t advisable to always look through them, since they limit the wearer’s field of view, which can be dangerous while driving.

Bioptic glasses often take some getting used to, but it generally doesn’t take long to adapt.

How Do I Get Bioptic Glasses?

If you think bioptic glasses can help you, the first step is to see a doctor for a comprehensive vision exam. This will allow them to determine exactly what sort of vision assistance you need (whether bioptic glasses, a different low vision device, or some combination), and they will then be able to make a recommendation on what would work best for you. They will then provide you with a prescription for your bioptic glasses.

Summary

Bioptic glasses are an extremely helpful low vision device which is especially useful while driving, thanks to it allowing the wearer to quickly switch to a higher magnification to focus on specific distant objects. If you are experiencing low vision and think bioptic glasses may help you, you can contact American Family Vision Clinic at (360) 491-2121 to schedule an appointment for a vision exam and consultation. Patients with low vision visit our clinic from all over Washington, and we are proud to be a leading provider of low vision services for patients from Olympia, Lakewood, Tacoma, and Lacey.

Learn More

Traveling with Low Vision: Our Low Vision Optometrist's Guide to a Seamless Journey

Traveling can be a positive experience for people with low vision with the right preparation and support.

1 2 3 … 10 Next »

Testimonials

Such a nice optician. My grandson is only 4 and needs glasses. We were so sad, but he explained the issues, and we will follow up as he suggested.

Anna P.

I had such a good experience with the clinic. Very friendly staff and doctor, did not have to wait for long to be called, and was treated respectfully. Thanks, American Family.

June S.

Dr. Zurcher has gone above and beyond what any other eye doctor has ever done to figure out what is going on with my eyes. Very happy with American Family Vision.

Christine R.

Family Vision Clinic changed our lives! My daughter was frequently car sick, and she was getting headaches every day, often painful enough that they brought her to tears. We saw a string of doctors and therapists, but we made no progress. Finally, we found Dr. Levi Zurcher and his eye therapist Rain. After ten weeks of eye therapy my daughter no longer gets headaches, and she no longer gets car sick. Daily tears are a thing of the past. I really can’t say enough about this clinic. It was fascinating to watch Dr. Zurcher work. For the first time, someone who knew what they were doing was intently studying my daughter, really trying to figure out all of her eye issues, and his therapist Rain is one of the most patient and lovely people that I’ve ever had the good fortune to meet. We’re finished with eye therapy—yay!—and I have switched to American Family Vision Clinic for all of my family’s other eye health needs.

Lars Wulff

Very professional, yet kind and helpful. They do what they can to make the appointment comfortable. I was running a bit late, I made sure ti call. They were able to switch me with a patient who was already there, they treated me with respect, and helped my son have confidence by getting him the eye care he needed that day. Thank you so much! Would recommend to anyone. It's a blessing that they care enough to work with people who have all different types of insurance from work to state coverage.