Low Vision

Low vision is a significant reduction of visual function that cannot be fully corrected by ordinary glasses, contact lenses, medical treatment and/or surgery. It is often a loss of sharpness or acuity but may present as a loss of field of vision, light sensitivity, distorted vision or loss of contrast.  Low vision often may occur as a result of birth defects, injury, the aging process or as a complication of disease.   Eye diseases such as Macular Degeneration, Cataracts, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retrolental Fibroplasia, Retinal Detachment, and Glaucoma may be responsible for low vision.  People with severe low vision may be classified as partially sighted and/or legally blind.

Although reduced central or reading vision is most common, low vision may occur in different forms.  If you have low vision, you may experience these types of vision problems: 

  • overall blurred vision

  • loss of central or center vision

  • loss of peripheral or side vision

  • loss of color vision

  • overall haze vision

  • extreme light sensitivity

  • night blindness

Different types of low vision may require different kinds of assistance.  Optical low vision devices use lenses or combinations of lenses to provide magnification.  They should not be confused with standard eyeglasses.  There are five main kinds of optical devices: 

1.  Microscopes are used for near magnification and are stronger than ordinary glasses. When you use them, you need to hold your reading material very close; otherwise the print is out of focus.  This may feel awkward at first, but you will become used to it. They are designed for close work, so magnifying spectacles leave both hands free to hold reading material.

2.  Hand magnifiers are familiar to most people.  With these, you can hold reading material at a normal distance.  You can buy hand magnifiers in department or drug stores.

3.  Stand magnifiers rest on the reading material.  Some have a self-contained light source.

4.  Telescopes are used for distance magnification.  They may be hand held for viewing distant objects, or mounted in spectacles.

5.  Closed-circuit television produces an enlarged image on a television screen.  With adjustable magnification and contrast, a closed-circuit television is often easier to use than other devices.