Understanding Low
Vision
Are You Suffering from Low Vision?
Do you have problems recognizing faces you know are familiar?
When you are reading, do the letters seem distorted or appear
to be broken?
Are you constantly having problems seeing obstacles below
you like steps and curbs or around you such as walls or furniture?
If you've been experiencing one or more of these types of
vision problems, then it is most likely that you have a condition
called Low Vision.
What is Low Vision?
Low vision is a condition which describes a partial loss
of vision. It cannot be known as blindness, instead, but it
is an impairment which can badly change a person's quality
of life. Basically Low Vision is a problem having to do with
a person's vision that cannot be corrected using traditional
remedies such as corrective lenses, surgery, medication or
contact lenses.
Types of Low Vision
The most common type of Low Vision is one in which a person's
visual acuity disappeared. Acuity means the sharpness of an
image. With Low Vision a person cannot see as many details.
But Low Vision might happen when a person's field of vision
is obstructed, usually very obvious. For instance, the ability
to see images off to the side may be affected. Or, an affected
person may be considerably bothered by glare or by light.
Causes of Low Vision
There are many possible causes of Low Vision, such as glaucoma,
eye or head injury, stroke, cone-rod and rod-cone dystrophies,
brain tumors or injury, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy,
optic and Leber's optic atrophy, histoplasmosis, toxoplasmosis,
optic nerve hypoplasis and heredity.
How to Deal with Low Vision
As we mentioned, a vision loss of this nature can radically
alter a person's well-being. Tasks as simple as using a computer
or reading a book might become almost impossible. Until now,
Low Vision is untreatable and that along with the fact that
Low Vision often means a loss of independence which is enough
to dampen any person's spirit. Mobility could also be impacted
and most of the time, those diagnosed with Low Vision are
no longer able to operate motor vehicles as they are considered
'legally' blind. Sometimes affected individuals end up losing
their jobs.
An Ophthalmologist's is probably the only option is to work
to improve the vision that remains as best as he or she can.
Vision aids
Fortunately, there are several vision aids available for
individuals with Low Vision. Hand-held illuminated and non-illuminated
magnifiers are very popular options, as are magnifiers which
can be stationed permanently in a stand. Adjustable stands
are also available. These stand magnifiers are available as
either battery-operated or electrical models and can be illuminated
or non-illuminated.
| 
