Do You Need a Prescription For High Powered Readers?

To Prescribe or Not to Prescribe

The question of whether you need a prescription for low vision devices is an interesting one. Many doctors feel a professional should be involved in your care. While you can often acquire low vision solutions, such as high-powered readers, without a prescription, deciding to navigate this journey alone might not be the most efficient path.

The products are available for you to experiment and determine what works best for your condition. However, a doctor—specifically, an optometrist, occupational therapist, or low vision therapist—can provide a comprehensive understanding of your condition and guide you toward a more effective solution.

The Value of Professional Guidance

Low vision is both simple and complicated. It’s simple in the sense that you can’t see well. It’s complicated because there are countless solutions to address the quality of life issues that arise from it. A low vision specialist with extensive experience might have an immediate answer to a problem that could take you months to discover through self-experimentation.

Navigating your low vision journey with an expert is highly recommended. While you may not technically need a prescription for many devices, consulting a professional can save you time and help you find the best path forward more quickly.

Charlie Saccarelli

President, Chadwick Optical

As President of Chadwick Optical, Charlie Saccarelli is the driving force behind the company’s mission to help every patient left behind by the current health care system. Under his leadership, Chadwick has grown from a simple optical lab into a trusted resource for practitioners around the world looking for ways to help the patients that “can’t be helped.” He is a master optician, a father, a bit of a nerd, and a passionate patient advocate who has lectured worldwide on all things optical.