Low Vision Institute - Optometry

Dr Degraziano was an incredible resource for my 90 year old Dad who has recently suffered rapid onset vision loss. He was paitient, took the time to explain how he could help and gave my Dad great advice and solutions to help him read and watch tv. When the special glasses were ready he spent an hour fitting them and explaining how and when to use them. He was extremely knowledgeable and a very experienced, down to earth guy. I hope more people who have low vision will find out about his services as they have improved my Dad's quality of life tremendously!

I was referred to Dr DeGraziano by my general optometrist because my vision is deteriorating from advanced dry macular degeneration (GA), and I want to minimize how the disease affects my everyday life. Dr. DeGraziano conducted an extremely thorough examination, explained and showed me tools and strategies for living with the condition and sent me home with practical tips to make life easier. I felt more optimistic than i have in ages. On top of his professional skills (he teaches low vision optometry to others), he is positive, personable and compassionate. I recommend him highly.

I'm in my 50s and have experienced a significant decline in my visual acuity over the past several years due to an eye condition. While I'm not a surgeon, I work closely with them as a surgical tech first assistant. Tasks like using the tips of my suture scissors to cut sutures flush with incision edges or loading suture needles onto needle drivers had become increasingly challenging. After some research, I decided to visit Dr. DeGraziano at his office in La Jolla. From the moment I met him, he took the time to thoroughly understand my specific needs and challenges. Together, we determined that custom magnification loupe glasses would be the best solution for me. Six weeks later, my loupe glasses were ready. Dr. DeGraziano made sure they fit perfectly and patiently addressed all my questions. These glasses are incredible! They provide a large, clear field of view for fine tasks like loading needles and cutting sutures while still allowing plenty of regular, non-magnified vision for everything else. These glasses have truly transformed my ability to work in the operating room, and I owe it all to Dr. DeGraziano's expertise and genuine care. If you're considering seeing him, don't hesitate--he's a true professional who takes the time to find the best solution for his patients. Thank you! - Leonard

At age 55, I unexpectedly and permanently lost most of the vision in my right eye due to a rare condition I had never heard of: non-arteritic ischemic optical neuropathy or "NAION" for short. Although I had seen countless optometrists, ophthalmologists and specialists over a year's time, no one could supply me with the resources I needed....until I met Dr. Peter DeGraziano. In my first visit, Dr. DeGraziano was able to evaluate my low vision and supply me with resources that I desperately needed but had not been offered by any previous doctors. Additionally, "I didn't know what I didn't know" and he was the first doctor to acknowledge and explain that losing vision in my dominant eye makes rehabilitation that much more challenging. For the first time since losing vision, I walked away from a doctor's appointment feeling acknowledged, heard, understood and most importantly, more confident about my future with low vision. Thanks to Dr. DeGraziano, I have a plan with next steps, as well as these resources lined up for my low vision rehabilitation: Handicap Driver Training, Occupational Therapy through the San Diego Braille Institute, and Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy to share and learn from others with vision challenges. I am hopeful that the latter will help to reduce my growing anxiety and depression, both of which have severely plagued me since my unexpected loss of vision. I am beyond grateful for finding Dr. Peter DeGraziano!

I recently saw Dr. Degraziano after a google search to get some help after losing peripheral vision in one eye and hoping to get help and options. Dr. Degraziano offered that and more. The exam was very thorough, he's very experienced and knowledgeable and I felt as though he listened to my questions and fears. He didn't recommend glasses to help my vision but referred me to a number of places where I can get help with my vision challenges. I left the appointment feeling confident and excited that there options to deal with unexpected vision loss that no one wants to experience. Thanks to Dee also, who was a great person to talk to and was very helpful in answering questions and setting up the appointment.

Dr. DeGraziano is a competent and compassionate doctor. We had a thorough examination and he explained my condition and options in terms that I could understand. He examined me at my home and that was a significant benefit. I recommend him to anyone who has low vision issues.

Dr Peter DeGraziano skill at treating low vision is outstanding. I am a portrait painting. It was devistating to know that I could not see the details necessary to accomplish a likeness. Dr DeGraziano was able to give me the glasses I needed. He also helped with a special scope glasses for special situstion I .might come across with low vision. He added to my quality of life and gave me encouragement. And what a caring and delightful doctor. I would highly recommend him.

My mother is low vision with macular degeneration. She met Dr. DeGraziano through a friend. She told me he'd promised he could get her reading after a brief interview. I called Dr. DeGraziano because I was skeptical that he could guarantee something that optometrists and ophthalmologists had both said they could not correct. He explained his process and why he believed he could get her reading, which was our intended goal, given her answers. Following our call, I wasn't 100% convinced, but I had confidence in Dr. DeGraziano. And it was well-founded confidence, too, because as of today, my mother is able to read with her specialized glasses, lamp and reading routine taught to her by Dr. DeGraziano, something I thought was lost to her. Given reading is her true love, I am so grateful to Dr. DeGraziano for giving it back to her.