What is low vision?

Low vision means that even with regular glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery, people find everyday tasks difficult to do. When you have low vision, eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery may not help. Activities like reading the mail or a newspaper, working on a computer, shopping, cooking, writing, and watching TV may be hard to do.

Millions of Americans lose some of their sight every year. While vision loss can affect anyone at any age, low vision is most common for those over age 65.

Low vision is usually caused by eye diseases or health conditions. Some of these include age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract, diabetes, and glaucoma. Eye injuries and birth defects are some other causes. Whatever the cause, lost vision cannot be restored. It can, however, be managed with proper treatment and vision rehabilitation.

Coping with low vision can be overwhelming and emotionally difficult. However, with time and effort – and the support of the low vision experts at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania, you can adapt to low vision. In fact, many people who are visually impaired can learn to perform everyday functions and even enjoy hobbies again.