When your eyesight can’t be fully corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses, you may be suffering from low vision issues. Medications or surgeries may not help as well. With your compromised sense of sight, you may struggle to carry out your daily tasks or enjoy your hobbies.
Here is some helpful advice from Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry.
How Low Vision Happens
Low vision often happens as a complication of other eye conditions. These include cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. You may also develop it when you have macular degeneration or sustain eye injuries. Eye cancer, brain trauma and albinism have been linked to this problem as well. While it commonly affects older individuals, anyone at any age may have to deal with this visual impairment.
How Low Vision Affects Your Daily Life
Low vision may affect both your central and peripheral sense of sight. As a result, you may find it difficult to read, write or even recognize faces. Even when you’re wearing prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, you may not be able to watch television or drive around. Matching the color of your socks may seem a challenge as well. You may experience blurry vision and night blindness, too. Visit your optometrist as soon as you can, so we can create your individualized low vision therapy plan.
How Low Vision Is Managed
Having low vision not only affects your daily efficiency, but it may also put your safety at risk. Visit your eye care specialist as soon as you notice any of the symptoms. We’ll perform a complete eye exam, which may include asking about your medical history. We’ll have you undergo several tests and procedures to measure your visual acuity and evaluate your current eye health.
A low vision specialist will then recommend some low vision devices that can help maximize your remaining useful eyesight. This may include using high-power eyeglasses, prisms and magnifiers. We may also suggest telescopes, filters or special reading lamps. We will also provide counseling and training to help you regain independence over your daily activities. We can refer you to other experts, support groups and state or federal assistance programs as well.
For more information about low vision, get in touch with us at (703) 467-9080, or complete our appointment form. We serve families in Falls Church and the surrounding Northern Virginia area.