Vision is one of the most important senses that help us process, observe, and interact with the world around us. For many individuals, low vision has impacted their lives in a number of ways. Low vision can result from injuries to the eye, as well as conditions such as diabetic retinopathy. Whatever the cause, declining vision can impede the ability of an individual to perform everyday tasks, such as writing, reading, walking, and socializing. It is important to schedule regular eye exams to monitor the health of your eyes. Here, Dr. Stein discusses how quality of life is impacted by low vision.
Low Vision and Quality of Life
Low vision is defined as a vision issue that makes it difficult to engage in day-to-day activities such as:
- Reading
- Driving
- Differentiating between colors
- Watching television or using a cell phone
- Recognizing others
Low vision is further categorized by type, which depends on the cause of your low vision issues.
Central vision loss: When you are unable to see objects in the center of your field of view, you may be experiencing central vision loss.
Peripheral vision loss: Peripheral vision loss may be the case if you are having trouble seeing out of the corners of your eyes.
Night blindness: If your vision gets worse at night, or in low-light environments, you may have night blindness.
Blurry vision: Distorted, hazy, or blurry vision falls into this category.
Low vision has the potential to negatively affect your quality of life and self-image. Even mild instances of low vision can have a negative effect on your life.
Treatment Options
If you are worried about how low vision is impacting your life, it is time to speak with an expert. Dr. Stein can evaluate you for low vision when he conducts a dilated eye exam, which is painless. You may be asked to identify letters that are in different positions and at different points of your field of view. This will help determine what type of low vision you are experiencing. Dr. Stein may also discuss any eye care treatment options that may be available to you to correct your vision, prevent it from getting worse, and improve your quality of life. Your recommended treatment options will depend on the cause of your low vision.
Speak To an Expert
Low vision can disrupt your life, but treatment options may be available to you. Dr. Stein can guide you through your options and advise you on how you may be able to minimize the impact of low vision on your life. Call or book an appointment online to get started.