What Every Low-Vision Patient Should Know

What is Low Vision?

Low vision may be defined as insufficient vision to beable to do the things you want to do.

Is Low Vision The Same As Blind?

No! Blindness is a total lack of vision. Unfortunately, many people become confused because the government uses the term "legally-blind" which they apply to some persons who have some usable vision. Most " legally-blind" persons have some usable sight, but because the word "blind" is used to describe them, they are often mistaken for someone totally "without" sight. Low-vision persons can use their sight, unlike totally blind persons. The amount of sight and how it is used will vary from low-vision person to person. If you have sight and function as a sighted person, the recommendation is that the word "blind" be avoided in any form except where absolutely necessary, such as for legal reasons for government benefits.

Can Any Doctor Help Me If I Have Low Vision?

Not all doctors are low-vision specialists. In fact, there are many excellent doctors who have a great deal of knowledge but do not undertake the optical problem of the low-vision patient. Going to a specialist particularly interested in this area will increase the chances of getting the maximum amount of help available.

Can Any Doctor Help Me If I Have Low Vision?

That depends upon many factors. The only way to be sure is to have a comprehensive low-vision exam. Remember, a lot depends upon you, the low-vision patient. You cannot be helped, no matter how good the doctor is, unless you want to be helped and put forth the necessary effort to obtain success. Also, you determine what constitutes success or failure. Failure to one person may be success to another. Listen carefully to what the doctor says he can do for you, and be certain that what he can do is what you really want.

How Can I Find A Low-Vision Specialist?

Though many doctors are not low-vision specialists themselves, they can often direct you to a colleague or a clinic which provides low-vision care. If not, the National Association for Visually Handicapped can, in most instances, refer you to a low-vision specialist or clinic in your area.

How Can Low Vision Patients Be Helped?

The low-vision specialist employs some extra examination techniques and uses special lenses and low vision aids.

How Do Low Vision Aids Work?

Low-vision aids may make things larger or appear larger; they may make things brighter; they may make things clearer; they may improve the contrast. Some aids to more than one of the above things, but generally, all low-vision aids make it easier to see something.

Will Using Low-Vision Aids Cure My Vision?

No! Whether or not you use your aids will not affect the health of your eyes or cause eye disease to get better or worse. You will see better with your aids while you are using them. Low-vision aids do not cure or restore your vision.

Will I Hurt My Eyes If I Use Them?

Modern medical science believes that using your vision will not cause it to deteriorate. Using your eyes to see will not harm them any more than using your ears to hear. In fact, using your eyes will train your brain to interpret what you are looking at more easily.

Will I Hurt My Eyes By Reading In Dim Light Or By Holding The Print Too Close?

No! With many low-vision optical aids, you will have to be close to see clearly through the lens. This will not hurt your eyes at all, although being so close may seem awkward to you if you were not accustomed to reading things at standard distances. Reading in dim light will not permanently damage your eyes, but it may cause eye fatigue, headaches, watering of the eyes or a combination. Remember, the further you are from a light, the less bright it will be. Be certain to select a comfortable amount of light, because extremely bright light can also cause eye fatigue.

Will Viewing Television Too Close Harm My Eyes?

Doctors agree that there is little danger in sitting close to any television that is in good operating condition. There seems to be general agreement that sitting at least two to three feet away from the television reduces any chance of being harmed by radiation.

Information Provided by:
National Association For Visually Handicapped
305 East 24th Street, New York, New York 10010

Approved by the NAVH Opthamological Advisory Board

Prepared for NAVH by Dennis K. Kelleher, Ed.D.