Doctors define low vision as significant vision loss that cannot be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. People with low vision have a hard time performing simple tasks, such as reading a label, something a person with normal vision may not consider difficult. Knowing about low vision will help friends and family understand the difficulties and needs associated with low vision.
Symptoms
A common symptom of low vision is the inability to recognize faces, even faces of close loved ones. Vision will seem dim, as though every room does not have enough light. People with low vision have a difficult time reading, if they can see the words at all.
Causes
Many people have low vision as a result of eye disease. Macular degeneration commonly affects vision in people over age 65. This disease causes changes to the back of the eye, blurring central vision. Advanced glaucoma can cause low vision, though glaucoma begins taking away side vision and works its way toward the central vision. Diabetics can have retinopathy, an eye condition that may cause vision loss. Some people also have low vision due to an eye injury.
Assistance
Most states have local programs to assist people with low vision. These programs will help determine the equipment needed to help improve daily activities, helping people with low vision to remain independent. Also, these programs can often help organize rides to doctor appointments and the grocery store. Eye doctors will recommend qualifying patients to these organizations.
Equipment
A simple, hand-held magnifying glass may help some people with reading or seeing detailed objects. This may seem cumbersome, trying to hold a book and the magnifier, and an alternative might be special magnifying lenses inserted in an eyeglass frame, or a magnifier on a stand. Another solution, though costly, might be a special magnifier that uses a video monitor that sits on a table. The machine magnifies an item, such as a book, when placed under the special camera, and the image appears on the computer screen. A person with low vision can adjust color, contrast and image size to meet his vision needs.
Considerations
Many older people assume they have low vision because of their age, though doctors can treat some eye diseases that cause low vision. Anyone with low vision should see an eye doctor to determine the cause of vision changes. The doctor will perform a complete eye exam, and, based on the findings, will determine if he can treat the condition. However, even if he cannot treat the cause, he can offer recommendations or a referral for assistance to make daily activities easier.
