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Guide for Low Vision, Related Diseases and Devices

Low vision is a condition that a person cannot correct. There are no options for contacts, glasses, or surgery. Low vision can also be caused by glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.

What is low vision?

Low vision is a condition that causes vision loss. This can be blurry vision or poor night vision. It is not blindness but it can make it difficult to see. Low vision can be caused by age-related macular diseases, glaucoma, or diabetes. Tools can make low vision easier.

Low vision can be caused by a variety of conditions. According to the American Optometric Association low vision can be classified into two types:

Partially sighted

If your vision ranges from 20/70 to 20/200, you might need a new prescription.

Legally blind

After correction, the person can’t see more than 20/200 and has a field of less than 20deg.

Low vision can cause low vision

Low vision can result from many factors, but these are the most common.

Macular degeneration

Macular degeneration is a condition that affects the retina at the back of the eye. It can lead to blurred vision or even blindness in your central vision. Macular degeneration can cause blurred vision, difficulty seeing, blurred color perception, confusion, and inability to recognize faces.

The most common form of age-related macular disease is dry. It is slow but steady. The wet form is more severe and progresses more quickly. Because abnormal blood vessels form under the macula and leak fluid and blood.

Macular degeneration is a serious condition that can lead to blindness. Macular degeneration may be either exudative or non-exudative. Recent research shows that macular disease affects over 1.6 million people, mostly those over 50.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a clouding in the lens of your eyes. Older people are more likely to develop cataracts. Cataracts can be caused by prolonged sunlight or high-energy radiation. They can also be caused by injury, disease, or inherited conditions such as diabetes. Cataract surgery is the procedure to remove the lens and replace it with an intraocular device that restores vision. People with other eye conditions may not be able to have cataract surgery.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a common eye condition that affects the optic nerve. This condition can affect peripheral vision as well as night vision. An increase in pressure can cause glaucoma. It can also be caused by a decrease in blood flow to the optic nerve. If it is diagnosed, it can be treated by surgery or drugs.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic patients might experience visual impairments or changes in their vision daily. There are two types of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. This can lead to blood vessels feeding the retina becoming abnormally branched or leaking. This can cause severe damage to the retina and vision loss.

Retinitis pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited condition that slowly worsens night vision. It can lead to vision impairment or side vision loss. The first sign is night blindness. This is a common sign in adolescence. It gradually reduces your ability to see.

Low Vision Devices

Low-vision optical devices can be used by people with low vision to aid them in reading, observing distances, and other daily tasks. These devices include magnifying glasses and magnifying stands, magnifying reading glasses as well as loupes, telescopes, magnifying magnifiers, hand-held magnifiers, and magnifying magnifiers. These magnifying glasses can be 60X magnification and have different optics than normal glasses.

There are many low-vision optical devices that can be used for different purposes. One device can be used for reading, watching television, and seeing faces, while another can be used for sewing. Your doctor may recommend glasses to reduce the glare and protect your eyes from UV (UV) light.

Low vision prescription eyeglasses are not sufficient to accomplish both close and far-sighted tasks. You may also need other optical equipment to aid in various tasks.

Different glasses are needed for people with poor vision to see different angles. These glasses might look different than the ones you had in the past. One pair of glasses, such as eyeglasses, was capable of seeing close-up, intermediate, and farsighted.

Low-vision devices make reading easier for people with various eye diseases such as macular pigments, macular degeneration, tunnel vision, macular degeneration, and macular and retina pigments. These devices include:

Magnifiers 

Magnifying Glass For Macular Degeneration is one of the most cost-effective low-vision devices. Some models have light sources that make it easier for you to read the print. Some models can be adjusted in height, and supported by bands that wrap around the neck.

Reading glasses

These glasses can be used by blind people to help them read the small print. You have the option of single vision or bifocals. These glasses are more durable, so you should wear them for at least a few days before they become comfortable. It is important to be close to the material you are reading. It is worth it.

Reading Telescopes

The lenses of glasses can be attached to reading telescopes. These devices are ideal for people with low vision. They do require some instruction to function properly. The exact same device can be obtained with a hand-held model.

Video magnifiers

ZoomText is a video magnifier for the visually impaired that you might have heard of. ZoomText, or Video magnifiers for the visually impaired, allows you to have the same level of intimacy with your magnifying glasses as you would with a normal camera. You can adjust the brightness, magnification, and contrast to suit your needs.

Portable Electronic Magnifiers

You can find many shapes and sizes of electronic devices that are similar to iPads. To see the text better on the LCD screen, you can place them near a reader.

Text can be transferred to voice devices

OrCam Read is a great option for people with visual impairments. OrCam Read is able to recognize text on phones, tablets, computers, and books. The device will convert the text into a spoken version that can be read aloud using a computer’s microphone.

Low vision care

Low Vision Specialists provide treatment for patients with visual impairments. They are able to help patients with many types of visual impairments like macular degeneration and cataracts. The doctor will perform a comprehensive exam and may also conduct tests to diagnose the problem.

Vision rehabilitation is designed for patients to improve their ability to see and reach their vision goals. A patient’s individual rehabilitation plan may include prescription glasses, contact lenses, electronic magnification devices, or assistive technology. This could include glare control, contrast enhancement, eccentric looking, visual field enhancement, non-optical options, and referrals to other specialists.

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