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Information on Low Vision

People with low vision have less usable vision, but are not totally blind. Learn more about the effects of low vision and products available to help people suffering from low vision.

Transcript: Information on Low Vision

Healthy Vision

During normal vision light enters the eye through the cornea, then passes through the pupil and the lens, focusing in a small area on the retina at the back of the eye.

What Is Low Vision?

While people with low vision have less usable vision, they almost always are not totally blind. Low vision is the inability to see well, regardless of attempts to correct vision through the use of prescription lenses, surgery, or other medical treatments. A person with low vision has severely reduced visual acuity or a significantly obstructed field of vision - or both.

Causes of Low Vision

Low vision can be the result of a birth defect, injury, or eye diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, cataracts, or glaucoma.

Effects of Low Vision

Persons with low vision can experience:
  • An overall blurred image
  • A loss of central (straight-ahead) vision making it difficult to identify objects directly in front of the person
  • A loss of peripheral, or side vision.
Depending on the eye condition, low vision can exist in any combination of the three forms described.

Products for People With Low Vision

There are many different products available for people with low vision, such as special lenses, magnifiers, high intensity lamps and telescopes. A low vision specialist can prescribe the appropriate devices for you.

Copyrighted animations provided by Blausen Medical.

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