Low vision is vision loss that makes everyday activities more challenging and cannot be fully corrected with regular eyeglasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery. Depending on the cause, low vision may affect your central or peripheral vision or make your vision blurry or hazy. It can also make it harder to see at night or in low-light conditions.
While low vision can affect people at any age, it is more common among older adults because many of the eye diseases that cause vision loss are more common with age. Low vision is not the same as total blindness. People with low vision have remaining sight that can often be used more effectively with vision rehabilitation, assistive devices, and changes to their environment.
Low vision affects everyone differently. Depending on the type and severity of vision loss, you may have difficulty:
The impact of low vision isn’t determined solely by an eye chart. Even people with some usable vision may find that vision loss significantly interferes with everyday activities.
Low vision can result from many different eye diseases, injuries, and inherited conditions. Some of the most common causes include:
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve and can gradually cause permanent vision loss. It commonly affects peripheral vision first and may progress without noticeable symptoms in its early stages.
High blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the retina, potentially causing diabetic retinopathy and permanent vision loss in people with diabetes.
Cataracts cause the eye’s natural lens to become cloudy, resulting in blurry or hazy vision. Unlike many causes of low vision, cataracts can usually be treated successfully with surgery.
Low vision can take several forms depending on its underlying cause. Common types of vision loss include:
Treatment depends on the condition causing your vision loss. In some cases, treating the underlying eye disease may help improve vision or prevent additional vision loss. However, when lost vision cannot be restored, low vision rehabilitation can help you make the most of your remaining sight and continue performing everyday activities as independently as possible.
Depending on your needs, low vision aids may include:
Vision rehabilitation goes beyond magnification. Rehabilitation specialists can help people with low vision learn new ways to read, use technology, move safely through their surroundings, perform household tasks, and continue hobbies and activities that are important to them.
No. Low vision is vision loss that cannot be fully corrected and interferes with everyday activities. Legal blindness is a specific definition used by the U.S. government to determine eligibility for certain benefits and services. Someone who is legally blind may still have usable vision, and a person can have low vision without meeting the definition of legal blindness.
If changes in your vision are making it more difficult to perform everyday activities, it’s time to see an eye doctor. Sudden vision loss or a significant, unexpected change in your sight should be evaluated as soon as possible, as it may be a sign of a serious eye or medical condition. Schedule an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam with Washington Eye Physicians & Surgeons.
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The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.
