Craig Daily Press / Doctor finds joy in work

Archive for Wednesday, February 2, 2005

February 2, 2005

Craig Eckroth came to Craig 11 years ago to pursue his mission to help people with low vision improve the quality of their lives.

"When I came here, there was no one on the Western Slope that specialized in low- or partial-vision care," Eckroth said.

Eckroth, an associate at Eye Care Specialities, said most partial-vision patients are older, but there are cases of children with congenital eye disease.

"Fortunately, we've not had any children (with degenerative vision), but we do have the equipment and the training to help them and their parents," he said.

The most common eye disease in the Craig area is macular degeneration, which is associated with old age. He said no medical treatment exists that will correct the problem but that doctors have ways to help those suffering from the disease.

"There are special glasses that magnify both at a distance and close up," he said. "But it is just as important to show patients ways to use the healthy parts of their eyes in conjunction with the devices to accomplish the daily task of living."

He said the devices are more than handing someone a magnifying glass.

Eckroth said one of the problems associated with treatment is that low-vision examinations and treatment devices are not covered by Medicare. However, instruction on how to use devices, including life skills, is.

"Usually it becomes a money issue," Eckroth said.

He said there are many ways to improve a low-vision patient's quality of life.