Politzer R Michael, OD

As a patient of Dr. Politzer’s for over 20 years, I can say that he really cares about his patients and literally does things that other say are impossible.
I have a hereditary eye condition that causes low vision and complete color blindness (rod monochromatism) that for years as a child and teen had been treated by the head of ophthalmology department at Vanderbilt. That particular doctor told me when I was in high school after asking whether I would ever be able to drive a car that there were things in life I would never be able to do. Furthermore, he told me to get over it.
A year or two later, I was referred to Dr. Politzer by the Vocational Rehabilitation department for an evaluation. While things with Voc Rehab didn’t work out (I made too much working a near minimum wage job for them to help), it did get me to Dr. Politzer, which quite literally was a life changing event. His philosophy is that there is very little in life that a person with low vision cannot do — it’s just a matter of finding the right solution. He prescribed what is known as a bioptic telescope for me to use while driving and I was trained on how to use the device effectively before being sent on to NRH for state required driving lessons for licensure.
I have been driving for almost 20 years now thanks to Dr. Politzer! For most folks, driving may not sound like a big deal, but in suburban Middle Tennessee, there is no large scale mass transit and without the independence of being able to drive, your work options are limited. Being able to get around on my own opened up a world of possibilities to me, and for that I don’t think I can ever thank him enough.