Vision Impairment and Blindness
Source: MedlinePlus Health Topics, U.S. National Library of Medicine
What is vision impairment? Vision impairment is the loss of vision. It includes blindness, which means that you have lost all or most of your sight. It also includes low vision, which means you have some vision, but the vision loss makes it hard to do everyday activities. You may have trouble reading, shopping, cooking, writing, and watching TV. Low vision can't be fixed with glasses, contact lenses , medicine, or surgery. What causes vision impairment? Aging doesn't cause vision loss on its own. But many diseases that are more common in older adults can cause it. The leading causes of low vision and blindness in the United States are age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration , cataracts , and glaucoma . Other eye disorders , eye injuries , and birth defects can also cause vision loss. How is vision impairment diagnosed? Vision impairment is diagnosed with a dilated eye exam . Early warning signs of a vision problem can include not being able to see well enough to: Do everyday tasks like reading and driving Recognize people's faces Tell the difference between colors See the television or computer screen clearly You can have these symptoms even though you are wearing glasses or contacts. What are the types of low vision? There are several types of low vision. Which type you have depends on the condition that caused your low vision. Common types of low vision include: Central vision loss (not being able to see things in the center of your vision) Peripheral (side) vision loss (not being able to see things out of the corners of your eyes) Night blindness (not being able to see in low light) Blurry or hazy vision What are the treatments for low vision? Low vision is permanent. Glasses, medicine, and surgery can't cure low vision. But sometimes they can improve your vision, help you do everyday activities more easily, or keep your remaining vision. Your treatment options will depend on the condition that caused your low vision. Ask your eye doctor which treat