Overview
Our comprehensive ophthalmologists can provide total eye care, from examinations and vision correction to the diagnosis and treatment of disease through medication and surgery.
Cole Eye Institute offers comprehensive specialty ophthalmic care in a state-of-the-art building equipped with advanced technology and designed for patient comfort. High-quality ophthalmic care is also offered at a number of Cleveland Clinic community locations throughout Northeast Ohio including Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights and at the Twinsburg Family Health and Surgery Center.
Cleveland Clinic is recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. As one of the few dedicated, comprehensive eye institutes in the world, our fully integrated model helps us provide patients with quick and easy access to specialty and subspecialty care for a wide spectrum of eye conditions – from the routine to the complex. Our world-class ophthalmologists specialize in diagnosing and treating all conditions of the eye, including macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.
What We Treat
- Amblyopia
- Blepharitis
- Cataracts
- Cataracts in Children
- Color Blindness
- Conjunctivitis
- Dry Eyes
- First Aid for Eyes
- Floaters And Flashes
- Glaucoma
- Glaucoma Treatments
- Herpetic Eye Disease
- Inherited Eye Disease
- Intraocular Melanoma
- Low Vision
- Myopia
- Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (children)
- Night Blindness
- Presbyopia
- Ptosis
- Tear System
- Thyroid Eye Disease
- Visual Field Testing
Low Vision Clinic
A referral from an ophthalmologist is required for a low vision evaluation. If you would like to schedule an appointment for an eye exam by an ophthalmologist, please call 216.444.2020 or 800.223.2273, ext. 4-2020.
What is low vision?
A person is said to have low vision if their sight cannot be corrected by eyeglasses, contact lenses, medical or surgical treatment. People with low vision have useful vision that can often be improved with visual rehabilitation and optical devices.
How common is low vision?
Fourteen million Americans (about one out of every 20 people) have low vision. About 135 million people around the world have low vision. One in six adults (13.5 million people) 45 years of age and older has some form of visual impairment. For adults, 75 years of age or older, the number is even more dramatic, one in four.
What services are available for patients with low vision?
A complete eye examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist is essential. Once the cause of your low vision is determined, your ophthalmologist or optometrist may recommend a low vision evaluation.
What is a low vision evaluation?
A low vision examination is an optical and functional evaluation to enhance vision with the goal of participating in desired activities. Prescription of optical devices, such as high-powered spectacles and magnifiers, may be recommended to optimize remaining vision. The Low Vision Department will determine the most appropriate device for you based on individualized goals, such as reading, watching television, enjoying hobbies or recreational activities. The low vision evaluation is coordinated with medical, educational and rehabilitative services to enable the individual to maximize sight.
How many optical devices are available?
There are hundreds of optical devices. Each optical device is used for a particular task and a certain work distance. Multiple devices may be prescribed to improve vision for different tasks. Here are some of the available devices:
- High-powered magnifying spectacles are stronger than ordinary glasses. They are designed for close work and leave both hands free to hold reading material.
- Hand magnifiers are familiar to most people. Magnifiers come in different strengths and sizes depending on their function.
- Stand magnifiers rest on the reading material. Some have a self-contained light source.
- Telescopes can be used for distance and near magnification. They may be hand-held for viewing distant objects, or mounted in spectacles.
- Closed-circuit television produces an enlarged image on a screen. With adjustable magnification and contrast, a closed-circuit television can magnify an image more than most hand magnifiers.
What other services are available for low vision patients?
Your eye care specialist will let you know if you would benefit from a referral to the Cleveland Sight Center. At the Cleveland Sight Center, there are many supportive services available for people with low vision. It’s another step in your vision care after receiving a diagnosis from an eye care specialist. The Cleveland Sight Center works to understand each person’s vision diagnosis, needs and goals. An individualized plan is created to support you with a variety of different vision services and tools that’ll help you navigate everyday life.
Additional Resources
The following are additional resources to help you learn more about how to find the right ophthalmologist for your needs, and what to expect during your visit:
Eye health
Visiting the eye doctor
Vision loss
Appointments & Locations
To make an appointment with one of our ophthalmologists, please call 216.444.2020.
