UK HealthCast: Improving access to low vision care across Kentucky

UK HealthCast is a podcast series featuring interviews with UK HealthCare experts on a variety of health-related topics.

Low vision affects daily life in several ways, from reading and writing to navigating familiar spaces. In this episode of UK HealthCast, UK Advanced Eye Care optometrists Dr. Alexis Showalter D’Arsie and Dr. Courtney Couch discuss how patients can access low vision services, what support is available, and how UK HealthCare is working to make eye care more accessible across Kentucky.

Watch their conversation below or continue reading for key takeaways.

What happens after a low-vision diagnosis?

When someone is first diagnosed with permanent vision loss, Dr. Showalter D’Arsie says the process begins with communication. 

“The big first step is to communicate with their ophthalmologist that gave them the diagnosis about a referral to low vision services,” Dr. Showalter D’Arsie said. 

Low vision providers are not common in many regions, but UK HealthCare is in a fortunate position; it has four providers serving patients in Ashland and Georgetown in addition to Lexington. This geographic spread helps reach both central and eastern Kentucky, where vision services and referrals for them can be harder to access.

Once a referral is made, low vision specialists help patients connect with additional support systems, such as the Kentucky Office for the Blind or the Bluegrass Council of the Blind. These resources expand what patients can access locally and help bridge gaps between clinical care and daily functionality.

Removing barriers and defining success

Transportation remains a major obstacle for many patients. 

“It’s pretty common for someone with low vision to have to rely on someone else for transportation,” Dr. Couch said. 

Getting to appointments isn’t always simple, and financial barriers can add additional strain. When the right device exists but funds don’t, our providers work to identify alternatives. 

Veterans may receive assistance through the VA, and other organizations across the state can help cover device costs for qualifying patients.

Coordinating care between the low vision clinic and a patient’s ophthalmologist is another important step. UK’s integrated system makes this efficient. Dr. Showalter D’Arsie notes that ophthalmologists are “very good” about referring patients and that access to shared records through Epic ensures seamless communication. When patients come from outside the UK system, records are requested to ensure nothing is overlooked.

“For a patient with low vision, success definitely is not a number on a chart,” Dr. Couch said. Instead, it’s about whether patients can regain the functions that matter most to them. 

Common goals include reading, watching television, or returning to hobbies. During an exam, providers trial different devices based on those goals, searching for tools that make daily life easier even if the patient will never reach 20/20 vision again.

Customized rehabilitation and supportive resources

A low vision rehabilitation plan is built around real-world needs. 

Dr. Showalter D’Arsie begins with patients’ activities of daily living. After updating glasses prescriptions when possible through trial‑frame refraction, providers experiment with devices that may help a patient achieve their specific goals. At the end of the visit, they connect patients with community organizations and provide printed referral information for easy access.

While insurance gaps make device affordability challenging, several safety nets exist. 

“Each state has a Department of the Blind,” Dr. Couch said, which can help connect people with different resources. Kentucky’s program can assist with funding, training and adaptive tools. 

Free options also exist, such as the Kentucky Talking Book Library, which provides materials to individuals who cannot read traditional print. Many smartphones and computers come equipped with built‑in tools — text magnification, contrast changes, and accessibility apps — that can significantly support daily functioning.

Low vision services are designed to improve quality of life, restore independence and provide a structured, supportive path forward. 

With expanded locations, strong coordination with ophthalmologists and helping patients connect with statewide resources, UK HealthCare Advanced Eye Care aims to make low vision care more accessible for every Kentuckian who needs it.