Many people consider losing their eyesight one of the worst losses they could endure. While most of us will not suffer from complete blindness, millions currently live with some form of visual impairment. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, there are more than 2.9 million Americans ages 40 and older that suffer from low vision.

This type of visual impairment cannot be completely corrected with glasses, contact lenses, medication, or eye surgery. It can result in significant visual field loss, which includes tunnel vision (loss of vision in the periphery) and blind spots.

Common Causes

Several eye diseases and conditions are a common cause of low vision. These conditions can occur at any age but are more common in seniors. However, normal aging of the eye does not lead to low vision. Examples of these diseases and conditions are:

• Cataracts, which can cause hazy or blurred vision
• Macular Degeneration, which can cause blurred central vision
• Diabetic Retinopathy, which can cause blind spots and visual distortions
• Glaucoma, which can cause poor peripheral vision
• Retinitis Pigmentosa, which reduces peripheral vision and night vision
• Light Sensitivity, which creates a loss of light contrast
• Eye Injuries, which can result in low vision

How Low Vision Impacts Seniors

Vision loss in adults and seniors can be particularly traumatic, leading to frustration and depression. Losing the ability to drive safely, read quickly, watch television, or view a computer screen can cause people to feel shut off from the world. No treatment will give complete vision back. Instead, learning new ways to use remaining vision is vital to complete everyday tasks and maintain quality of life.

How Grand Oaks Can Help

Grand Oaks offers recommendations for safety features such as non-skid rugs, color-contrasting friction tape on the base of the bathtub and shower floor, and a color-contrasting toilet seat. Resident apartments can also include a larger TV remote, larger thermostat, and talking clocks. For assistance with reading, our residents have access to an electronic magnifier reading machine to help see small print and photos.

If you or a loved one suffers from low vision or are experiencing any of the conditions mentioned in this article, please contact your family doctor to schedule a vision test.