Vision loss affects millions of people worldwide and becomes increasingly common with age. In the United States alone, approximately 7 million people live with vision impairment, according to the CDC.
For many individuals, the diagnosis of a vision-threatening degenerative condition such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic retinopathy marks a moment of uncertainty about the future and how to adapt to their new reality.
Addressing the Post-Diagnosis Gap
After the initial consultation, patients want to know what comes next. For ophthalmologists and optometrists, this is an opportunity to support patients during an uncertain time. While diagnosis and treatment remain essential components of care, the patient journey extends far beyond the doctor’s office. Ensuring patients feel supported in their everyday lives can make all the difference in their overall well-being and recovery. Additionally, new assistive tools and technologies have the potential to enhance a patient’s journey. By helping patients find the right tools for their unique needs, ophthalmologists and optometrists can ease the transition from diagnosis and treatment to daily life, fostering greater independence and improving overall quality of life.
In some practices, the care pathway can unintentionally taper off after treatment options or disease management plans are completed, potentially creating gaps for patients—and creating key opportunities for clinicians. Awareness of these gaps can help healthcare professionals take proactive steps to ensure patients continue to feel supported throughout their journey. Long wait times and limited access to follow-up care can make this even more challenging, leaving patients without clear next steps and making it harder for clinicians to maintain continuity and address long-term needs.
As the number of people with low vision continues to rise, ophthalmologists and optometrists are well-positioned to close this gap. Their clinical knowledge, patient trust, and access to new tools allow them to lead a more complete care model that supports patients beyond diagnosis. By discussing functional adaptation and assistive options, clinicians can reduce uncertainty, build stronger adherence to care plans, and maintain continuity in the provider-patient relationship.
Recognizing this follow-through as part of comprehensive care helps practices deliver greater value while ensuring patients remain supported when medical interventions alone are not enough.
Expanding the Definition of Clinical Care
Modern eye care is evolving to address not only medical treatment but also the broader impact of vision loss on everyday life. Patients want to understand how their diagnosis will affect tasks like reading, mobility, and social engagement. Clinicians who proactively address these concerns can strengthen trust and provide more meaningful outcomes for patients.
Integrating functional vision goals into routine care means going beyond asking about medical symptoms to also inquire about daily living. Simple, practical questions such as “How will this diagnosis affect your routine?” and “What tasks are becoming harder?” can help identify areas where additional support is needed.
By introducing assistive technologies or low-vision resources as part of the overall care plan, clinicians can transition from simply managing the disease to actively enabling patients to continue participating in life. This proactive, patient-centered approach aligns with modern healthcare expectations and fosters deeper connections between clinician and patient.
Assistive Technology as a Clinical Resource
Recent advances in assistive technology are transforming what’s possible for people living with vision loss. Today’s wearable and digital tools are designed around real user needs, making it easier for individuals to navigate daily life with greater confidence and control. These technologies combine refined optics, real-time processing, and user-friendly interfaces to support meaningful activities like reading, recognizing faces, and moving safely through familiar or new environments.
By improving clarity, contrast, and spatial awareness, assistive devices help users reconnect with the world around them and regain a sense of independence. For example, one individual with Stargardt’s disease, whose vision was reduced to 20/250, used a wearable assistive device and was able to see clearly enough to read street signs and fine print on items like medicine bottles and restaurant menus.
For clinicians, understanding the role of assistive technologies and connecting patients with appropriate resources is a powerful way to enhance their care. Integrating these tools into the treatment plan can help patients maintain independence, improve daily functioning, and better manage their condition.
Integrating Technology into Clinical Practice
Integrating post-diagnosis support into everyday care provides an exciting opportunity for clinicians to further enhance the patient experience. This doesn’t require a major overhaul of current practices; rather, small, intentional steps that reflect a continued commitment to patients after their diagnosis. Clinicians can begin by introducing assistive options early in the discussion, framing them as part of the overall care plan rather than as an afterthought once other treatments are complete. Establishing referral relationships with low-vision specialists and technology providers also ensures that patients have clear pathways for follow-up and training.
Educating the wider care team helps make these efforts consistent and sustainable. When staff understand what assistive technologies can offer and how to identify patients who may benefit, conversations about post-diagnosis care become more natural and proactive. Tracking outcomes that reflect functional improvement, such as reading ability, mobility confidence, or overall independence, alongside traditional clinical measures like visual acuity or retinal imaging results, helps reinforce the impact of these interventions.
The role of ophthalmologists and optometrists is evolving. By extending support beyond traditional treatment pathways and embracing innovative technologies, eye care professionals can empower patients to feel confident, hopeful, and prepared for the next steps in their journey. This approach not only improves outcomes but also positions clinicians as leaders in adaptive, technology-driven care. With a growing range of assistive innovations, they can help patients move from clinical diagnosis to functional independence, enhancing both quality of life and self-confidence.
Roland Mattern
Roland Mattern, Director of Sales for eSight by Gentex, brings over 30 years of experience in sales and marketing for medical devices and pharmaceuticals, with the past two decades focused on ophthalmology. His unwavering dedication to eSight’s mission—to empower individuals with sight loss through enhanced vision—drives his work. Having spent his career marketing vision-assistive devices, Mattern has witnessed firsthand how companies like eSight are transforming lives and redefining what’s possible for those with visual impairments.
