A collaboration between Madelia Optometric, Inc. and the Madelia Lions Club.
Phone: (507) 642-3853
Fax: (507) 642-3854
Text: (507) 412-5682
E-mail: info@madeliaeyes.com
Address: 115 Drew Avenue SE, Suite #201 Madelia, MN 56062
The Madelia Lions Low Vision Center was founded in 2003. The Madelia Lions Club was one of the first recipients of the National Eye Institute's Community Awards grants. These grants are awarded to community programs supporting the objectives of Healthy Vision 2010. The Madelia Lions Club application involved the purchase of low vision aids for use by the Madelia Community. A closed circuit television system has been permanently placed in the Madelia Community Library. Examples of other low vision and adaptive aids have been placed in the office of Madelia Optometric. These "demonstration" aids are available for community members to borrow before purchasing. The Madelia Lions Low Vision Center was an outgrowth of the Healthy Vision 2010 Community Award.
Closed-circuit television systems, or CCTVs, are electronic magnification aids. CCTVs are commonly used for reading newspapers and books, writing checks, filling out forms and other paperwork, and handiwork. CCTVs usually have a wide range of magnification powers available. They are available in a variety of prices and have many different features. The Madelia Lions Club selected the Merlin EVS system for placement in the Madelia Library. This system is a full-color, auto-focus, desktop video magnifier. It enables the user to view images in color, black and white, high contrast positive (edges sharpened black on white) or high contrast negative (edges sharpened white on black). It magnifies between 4x and 60x.
Optical aids include eyeglasses and magnifiers. These are the most common types of vision aids used. There are many more magnifiers than those available in drugstores and office supply centers. Low vision magnifiers are often much more powerful, and may include bright light, or be stabilized for someone with shaky hands. The Madelia Lions Low Vision Center has many different optical low vision aids available to try, to ensure that you will be successful with the vision aids prescribed to you.
Non-optical vision aids are things that are actually enlarged. Large print books, large print playing cards, and remote controls with large buttons are examples.
Adaptive aids are things that help you to do what you want to do with the vision that you have. Examples are needle threaders and bump dots that help you identify positions on a stove, microwave, or washing machine without seeing them. Many non-optical and adaptive aids are available. The Madelia Lions Low Vision Center has examples of many different types of aids so that you will be successful in managing your low vision. As well, a number of these adaptive aids were donated to the Occupational Therapy Department of Madelia Health.
We ask that you schedule a low vision evaluation appointment by calling Madelia Optometric at (507) 642-3853 before coming to the Madelia Lions Low Vision Center. The low vision evaluation is a different type of examination than what you may have had before. Dr. Viktoria Davis is the optometrist at Madelia Optometric. If you have not had a regular eye examination recently, Dr. Davis will provide a comprehensive exam before the low vision evaluation. When you come for your low vision evaluation, Dr. Davis will review your vision history and your goals. Please bring a copy of your most recent eye examination records. After talking with you and examining your records, Dr. Davis will recommend an appropriate level of magnification and offer suggestions on vision aids based on your particular vision and your goals.
