Low vision

What is low vision? Low vision is the term used to describe a significant Low vision can include one or more of the following: • A best-corrected visual acuity measurement of 20/70 or worse, in the better eye. • Significant visual field loss. Blind spots and tunnel vision (the loss of your peripheral vision) are two examples of visual field loss. • Legal blindness. In the United States, Depending on the type and severity of vision loss, people with low vision can still see varying degrees of figures, shapes and even letters. This differentiates them from those who are totally blind and cannot see any forms of light. Disability statistics from the SEE RELATED: Causes of low vision Low vision is often caused by eye diseases or conditions such as: • Cataracts– A clouding of the eyes’ natural lenses that can lead to frequent vision prescription changes and eventually cloudy, blurry vision. • Macular degeneration– A disease that causes a gradual loss of the central part of a person's vision. • Diabetic retinopathy– Retina damage caused by diabetes that can result in blind spots, blurriness and visual distortions. • Glaucoma - Retinal damage caused by elevated pressure inside the eye. This causes a gradual loss of peripheral vision. • Retinitis pigmentosa - A deterioration of the retina that reduces peripheral vision and the ability to see in the dark as the condition develops. • Eye injuries. • Developmental eye conditions, such as What to do you if you notice vision problems I...

Blindness or visual impairment can have a profound impact on your life, but you are still in control. We have an abundance of information to help you, whether you're visually impaired, losing vision, or know someone affected by vision loss. Explore these resources and discover how to continue living a healthy, productive life with vision loss. Resources for Living With Vision Loss • A brief overview of conditions that are the cause of blindness or visual impairment. • VisionAware™, now stewarded by the American Printing House for the Blind, is a comprehensive resource for basic information about adjusting to vision loss, including tips for adapting your home and daily living. There's also extensive information and support for senior citizens who are losing vision, as well as their family members and caregivers. • Originally created by AFB and the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments, FamilyConnect® offers information and an interactive community for parents of children with visual impairments, with resources to help navigate infancy to the teenage years. • A round-up of issues related to technology for visually impaired and blind people, including AFB's acclaimed online technology magazine AccessWorld®, which offers objective reviews of mainstream and assistive technology products for people who are living with vision loss. • CareerConnect® is your guide to the working world as a blind or visually impaired person. Learn from the experts abou...

Your eye doctor will do a The exam usually begins with questions about your medical history and any vision problems you might be experiencing. You will have tests designed tocheck your vision and check for eye diseases. Your doctor may use a variety of instruments and aim bright lights at your eyes. Your eyes also will be tested for visual acuity, or how well you see letters at a distance. If you are having trouble doing things other than just reading small print, your eye doctor may refer you for vision rehabilitation. You can ask your ophthalmologist to find vision rehabilitation programs and specialists for you in your area. If a family member or friend has vision loss, he or she needs to learn to do as much as possible independently and safely. Recognize the challenges of vision loss, but don’t take over their tasks. Instead, help identify the adjustments they need to make to maximize their independence in a safe manner.

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Low vision is vision loss that can't be corrected with glasses, contacts or surgery. It isn't blindness as limited sight remains. Low vision can include blind spots, poor night vision and blurry sight. The most common causes are age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetes. Visual aids can help people with low vision. Overview What is the definition of low vision? Low vision is the loss of sight that is not correctible with Low vision includes different degrees of sight loss, from blind spots, poor night vision and problems with glare to an almost complete loss of sight. The American Optometric Association defines low vision as two categories: • "Partially sighted": the person has visual acuity between 20/70 and 20/200 with conventional prescription lenses. • "Legally blind": the person has visual acuity no better than 20/200 with conventional correction and/or a restricted field of vision less than 20 degrees wide. The ratio measurement of vision describes visual acuity, or the sharpness of vision, at 20 feet from an object. For example, having 20/70 vision means that you must be at 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 70 feet. Who is most at risk of having low vision? Anyone can be affected by low vision because it results from a variety of conditions and injuries. Because of age-related disorders like macular degeneration and The most common types of low vision include: • Loss of central vision: There is a blind spot in the center of one...

If you have untreatable vision loss, the Mayo Clinic Low Vision Specialty Group can help you make the most of the vision you have. If you've had to stop some activities because of decreased vision, our specialists can help maximize your functional vision and maintain your independence. Our goal is to preserve your quality of life. We provide counseling and assist with navigating the psychosocial impact of vision loss by connecting patients with appropriate services. Low vision means having impaired vision that cannot be corrected by glasses, surgery or medication. The most common cause of low vision is macular degeneration, an age-related disease that affects the central portion of the visual field. Other common causes include glaucoma, cataracts and diabetes. We provide care to patients throughout their life, from the initial onset of vision loss to the end stages of ocular disease. Low vision affects every person differently and requires individualized counselling to identify strategies that can help. Services The Mayo Clinic Low Vision team offers an array of optical devices and strategies to help you. • Electronic technology. Many high-tech vision aids are available. They include video reading systems that enlarge type 60 times, auto-focus spectacle telescopes and talking computer systems. • Special eyeglasses. Stronger-than-typical bifocal or trifocal glasses help you see better. We also offer high-power, prismatic "half-eye" reading glasses. These help the good spots...