Low vision or blindness affects 1 in 28 Americans
What is low vision?
Low vision is a term used to describe a level of vision that is 20/70 or worse and cannot be corrected with conventional glasses. Unlike a person who is blind, a person with low vision has some useful sight. However, low vision usually interferes with the performance of daily activities. A person with low vision may not be able to recognize images from a distance or differentiate colors.
Low vision can occur at any stage of life, although it primarily affects the elderly. Low vision is not a natural part of aging. Most people experience some physiological changes with age (presbyopia) where the need for glasses occurs. These changes usually do not lead to low vision. People develop low vision because of eye diseases. Common causes particularly in older adults are age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): a chronic condition that causes central vision loss.
Symptoms: Straight lines or faces appearing wavy.
Doorways seeming crooked.
Objects appearing smaller or farther away.
Glaucoma: a disease of the eye caused by a gradual degeneration of the cells in the optic nerve. It increases the pressure inside the eye that causes damage.
Symptoms: Narrowing field of vision starting at the periphery.
Intraocular pressure.
Optic disk cupping.
Diabetic Retinopathy: a visual disorder associated with diabetes that causes retinal blood vessels to leak into the retina causing macular edema.
Symptoms: Blurring of vision.
Cloudy vision.
Blind spots.
Floaters.
Some risk factors are but aren’t limited to; high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and smoking, just to name a few. Location is also a factor in risk. Higher altitude with less atmospheric cover causes eye problems. Sunglasses are always recommended.
The information is endless and knowledge is power. To learn more, attend a free seminar “ Maintaining Your Independence with Low Vision” on Wednesday, February 8th, 2012, from 9 – 2 at the Center for Independence 740 Gunnison Avenue, Grand Junction. Experts in the field of eye care and treatment will be presenting on several topics. Please call 241-0315 to reserve your seat at the seminar. For more information, call 241-0315, 1-800-613-2271, or www.cfigj.org.
