Millions of Americans live with low vision, a visual impairment that complicates daily tasks such as recognizing faces, reading, or checking text messages. While the conditions causing low vision become more common with age, it is not a natural part of getting older. Low Vision Awareness Month serves as a reminder to have comprehensive eye exams and seek strategies to ease daily life if experiencing vision loss.
Low vision is characterized by an inability to see well enough to read, drive, recognize faces, distinguish colors, or see screens clearly. Common causes include age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. The National Eye Institute outlines the most common types: central vision loss, peripheral vision loss, night blindness, and blurry or hazy vision.
Diagnosis involves a simple, painless comprehensive dilated eye exam, where a doctor assesses vision up close and far away, checks central and peripheral vision, and uses eye drops to widen pupils to identify underlying conditions. Although low vision is usually permanent, glasses, medicine, or surgery may help with daily activities or slow progression.
For those with minor vision loss, adjustments like using brighter lights, wearing anti-glare sunglasses, and employing magnifiers can be beneficial. Modifying phone and computer settings to increase contrast, enlarge text, or enable read-aloud features also aids functionality. If vision loss interferes with everyday activities, vision rehabilitation services offer skills and resources to manage daily life and maintain independence. These services include employment and job training, environmental modifications such as improved lighting and contrast, assistive devices like magnifiers and screen readers, adaptive strategies for daily living, emotional support through counseling or support groups, and transportation and household services.
Finding appropriate vision rehabilitation services requires time and collaboration with an eye doctor or care team. Discussing needs and goals is a crucial first step to identify the best support. For additional resources and information on vision rehabilitation, visit nei.nih.gov/VisionRehab.
