Low Vision Clinic
Serving people with sight loss in Sonoma, Napa, Lake, and Mendocino Counties
About Low Vision Clinic and Earle Baum Center
EBC’s mission is to create hope and opportunities for people impacted by sight loss to embrace and enrich their personal, social, and economic lives. We are a thriving community with innovative programs and services, delivered with passion and heartfelt energy. In collaboration with our partners, we foster a deeper understanding and equality for people touched by sight loss.
What is Low Vision?
Low vision is partial sight that cannot be corrected with surgery, medication, eyeglasses, or contact lenses. The resulting reduced vision can range from mild to severe loss.
How Can EBC Help?
Vision rehabilitation at EBC’s Low Vision Clinic helps you maximize your remaining sight and learn new strategies to accomplish everyday tasks. We provide a complete evaluation and work with you to find the low vision aids and devices that will best suit your lifestyle and needs. By mastering new techniques and devices, you can regain confidence and live independently with sight loss.
Low Vision Doctors
Different From Other Eye Doctors
Low vision optometrists are concerned with optimizing the amount of remaining vision, not diagnosing the cause of the vision loss.
Our low vison optometrists are compassionate and understanding for what you and your family are going through. We have the knowledge, resources, and experience to help you adjust to this new and difficult situation.
Low Vision Exams
Different From Other Eye Exams
EBC’s Low Vision Evaluation is a unique service, different from your annual comprehensive eye exam.
Our doctors will work with you to learn your vision loss history and the difficulties you may be experiencing performing daily tasks and activities due to your visual impairment. We work together to find the low vision aids and/or devices that will best suit your lifestyle and needs. Please note, this is a functional exam. It is not a medical exam, and your eyes will not be dilated.
We consider ourselves a partner in your ongoing low vision care. Our doctors and staff will provide guidance, support, and any additional resources and services that may be beneficial to you, your family members, and other care providers, all with the goal of helping you remain independent and active.
Your Evaluation
1st Visit (2-hour Low Vision Exam)
EBC’s Low Vision Optometrist evaluates your current visual abilities and explores vision aids to help maximize your current vision. Two hours of one-on-one attention help to bring your unique vision needs and goals into focus.
2nd Visit (1-hour follow-up)
A Low Vision Technician will use the general recommendations given during the previous 2-hour exam to provide you with a hands-on opportunity to work with those devices.
Low Vision Aids
Designed to Help with Everyday Tasks and Maximize Your Remaining Sight
- Braille and Talking Book Library
- Large Button Phones
- Handheld Magnifiers
- Task Lighting
- Glare Control
- Electronic Portable Magnifiers
- Electronic Desktop Magnifiers
- Electronic Devices that Read Text
Some low vision aids are available through our loaner program.
Contact Us
Earle Baum Center
4539 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Directions to EBC From US-101
- Merge onto CA-12 W via EXIT 488B toward Sebastopol
- Turn right onto Fulton Rd
- Turn left onto Occidental Rd
- 4539 OCCIDENTAL RD is on the right
Hours of Operation
Monday through Thursday 8 am to 4 pm
Friday 8 am to 3 pm
Phone: (707) 523-3222 Fax: (707) 230-6211
Email: ebc@earlebaum.org