CATEGORY: Health
Low vision: what is it and what solutions?
Reading, writing, grocery shopping, driving, recognizing faces… Things of everyday life that can be affected or compromised in the event of significant vision loss.
We call "low vision" a loss of vision that cannot be corrected with glasses, lenses or surgery. It is a condition that can make daily tasks difficult and diminish autonomy and independence.
The assigned tasks can be numerous:
- Reading
- Writing
- Grocery shopping
- Listen to TV
- Conduct
- recognize faces
- Travel difficulties
- Etc.
Causes
Vision loss can have a variety of causes:
- Birth defects
- Injuries
- Diseases of the body
- Aging
It can also be the consequence of eye diseases:
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Macular degeneration (AMD)
- Corneal or retinal disorders
- Other optic pathway conditions
The most important factor remains linked to a deterioration of the central part of the retina (by AMD for example).
Diagnostic
It is done during a complete examination of sight and eye health. Thus the optometrist can offer solutions or aids adapted to each situation.
Your optometrist can also refer you to a colleague specializing in low vision, an ophthalmologist, an occupational therapist or a social worker in order to optimize autonomy and independence. The intervention of these professionals will also improve the quality of life and adaptation to vision loss.
Visual aids
- Magnifiers
- Telescope
- Tinted lenses
- Better lighting
- Large print