Vision Problems: Living With Poor Eyesight

Overview

Many things can cause low vision, including macular degeneration and glaucoma. When you can't see as well, daily life may feel more challenging. But you can do some things to stay as independent as you can and keep doing the activities you enjoy.

You can start by making some changes to your home, like adding extra lighting. You can also use devices and aids that can help you see things better, such as special eyeglasses and large-print books.

You could also ask others for help. Your doctor can help you find safe ways to stay active. Low-vision specialists can help you learn ways to manage daily life. Family or friends might help you run errands.

How can you adapt to poor eyesight?

Making changes at home

Some simple changes can help you make the most of your remaining vision and allow you to live as independently as possible. Here are some things you can do at home.

• Position lighting so it helps you.
  • Aim your lighting at what you want to see. Aim it away from your eyes.
  • Add table and floor lamps in areas where extra lighting is often needed.
  • Avoid glare on screens and other surfaces. You can do this by moving furniture or closing blinds, shades, or curtains.
  • Make sure that potentially dangerous areas, such as entries and stairways, are well lit.
• Place light and dark objects against each other for contrast.
  • Place light objects against a dark background or dark objects against a light background. For example, if you have white or light-colored walls, use dark switch plates for your light switches. Or use lighted switches that glow softly. They are easier to see.
  • You can also use paint in a contrasting color to mark electrical outlets, oven dials, thermostats, doorknobs, and door frames. This will make the items easier to find and use.
  • Paint door frames in a contrasting color. For example, if the door is light, paint the frame with a dark color. Use dark doorknobs on light-colored doors.
  • In your bathroom, use contrasting color for items such as cups, soap dishes, and grab bars.
• Label things clearly.
  • Attach a safety pin to the labels of clothes that have similar colors.
  • Use high-contrast colors when making signs, such as black lettering on a white background. Post signs at eye level.
  • Use high-contrast colors on labels for spices, foods, medicines, and other items.
  • Mark the positions of the temperature settings you use the most on your stove and oven. Also mark the "on" and "off" positions.
  • Mark the water temperatures you use on faucets in the kitchen and bathroom. To prevent overfilling a sink or bathtub, use waterproof markers or tape to mark the water level you want.
  • Look for appliances with extra-large, high-contrast markings and indicators.
  • Try wrapping rubber bands around your medicine bottles. Use a different number of bands for each medicine, and keep track of the number of bands on each medicine type.
• Do things to avoid falls.
  • Replace or remove any worn carpeting. Tape down or remove area rugs.
  • Do not wax your floors. Use nonskid, nonglare cleaners on smooth floors.
  • Remove electrical cords and other items from areas where you need to walk. Or tape them down so you won't trip on them.
  • Make sure furniture doesn't stick out into areas where you walk. Keep chairs pushed in under tables and desks. Keep all drawers closed.
  • Keep doors fully opened or fully closed. Don't leave them halfway open or shut.
  • Always hold the handrails when using stairways and ramps. Make sure that they go beyond the top and bottom steps. Then you won't stumble if you miss a step.

Using devices

Learning to use low-vision aids and adaptive technologies may help you make the best use of your remaining vision.

Low-vision aids

Low-vision aids are special lenses or electronic systems that make images appear larger, such as:

Magnifying lenses. These may range from simple handheld lenses for reading to special eyeglasses or magnifiers much like the lenses that jewelers use.

• Some lenses have a built-in light so you can see things better.
• Some devices are mounted on stands so your hands are free.
• Small handheld telescopes or lenses that clip onto your eyeglasses can help with distance vision.

Magnifier app. Many smartphones and tablets have a magnifier app. It can make printed text and objects bigger so they are easier to see.

Video magnifier systems. These can be used to send an enlarged image of print, pictures, or other items onto a screen where it's easier for you to see. Examples include a closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) or video camera. You may be able to adjust brightness and contrast to make the enlarged image easier to see. These systems can make print, pictures, or other items bigger on a screen.

Computer display and enlargement systems. These use large screens and software that make print, pictures, and other visual information bigger. Computers also allow you to alter brightness, contrast, color, and other parts of the display. This can make it easier to see what's on the screen. Computers are sometimes used with video enlargement systems.

Adaptive technology

Adaptive technology is used in devices or products that may not help you see better but can make life easier and safer. Many are designed to help you perform common tasks that may be harder when you have impaired vision. Examples include:

Large-print items. Books, newspapers, magazines, medicine labels, bank checks, and playing cards are often available in large print. Many people with low vision also use audio versions of books and other printed materials.

Special papers and writing aids. These include paper with extra-bold lines and a tool that helps you write information on checks in the proper spaces.

Adaptive appliances. These are common household items that have been adapted for people with low vision. Examples are clocks and watches with electronic voices that announce the time. Or you can find clocks, telephones, and home appliances with extra-large buttons and numerals that are easier to see.

Computer software and apps. A screen reader is software that turns text, buttons, images, and other things on your screen into speech or braille. Many computers can read text, convert speech to text, and respond to voice commands.

Optical character recognition (OCR) software and apps. These scan the text from images and change it into text you can use. For example, you can make the text bigger, do an online search with the text, or have the text read aloud by your computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Virtual assistants. Many devices have these, including smartphones, tablets, or smart speakers. They can connect to smart devices in your home, such as lights and the thermostat. They can also tell you the time, give you a weather forecast, or answer other questions.

Some adaptive technology, like apps and software, may be built into devices you already own or are free to download. But things like computers, smart devices, or video enlargement systems can cost a lot. They can also take time to learn to use, and they can change how you do certain things at home, at work, and elsewhere. If you need help, ask your eye doctor about resources. If you are legally blind, you may be able to get help through your state's Commission for the Blind. You can also find help by going online to 211.org or by calling 211.

Using diabetes aids

If you have low vision and diabetes, aids that may help include:

• Needle and syringe devices.
  • Needle guides can help you locate and stick the needle through the rubber stopper on your insulin bottle and help you prepare insulin injections.
  • Bottle-holding devices can help you hold the bottle and syringe to safely withdraw insulin.
  • Magnifiers can be placed over a syringe to make the numbers and lines bigger.
• Audible insulin pens. These make a clicking noise during dosing.
• Lancet drums. These are already loaded with six needles (lancets). You don't have to put in a new needle each time you collect blood to check your blood sugar.
• Adaptive blood sugar meters. A large-print meter can help you see your blood sugar result clearly. Some meters can read your results out loud.
• Smart blood-sugar meters. These connect to an app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. You can make the results bigger so that they are easier to read.
• Continuous glucose monitors with audio alerts. These will alert you when your blood sugar (glucose) is at a dangerous level.
• Adaptive food scales. If you need to weigh your food, you can try using large-print or talking food scales.

Staying active

It's important to stay active for your health. But when you can't see well, you may have some safety concerns. Here are a few ideas to help you.

• Ask your doctor about activities that aren't safe for you to do. For example, people who have glaucoma may need to avoid activities that raise the pressure in their eyes, such as weight lifting or certain yoga poses.
• Let your doctor know which activities you'd like to do. Your doctor can help you make a plan to do activities as safely as possible.
• Ask for help at your gym or community center. Find out if they have programs and exercise equipment designed for people with low vision.
• Use a track or treadmill. This may be safer than walking or running on the road or sidewalk. You could also ask someone to go with you when you walk or run.
• Make it safe to exercise at home. Keep furniture, cords, rugs, and clutter out of the way.
• Swim in a pool with ropes between the lanes. You could also count strokes to know when you are near the end of the lane. And try using a kickboard.
• Talk to other people who have low vision. They may have suggestions about how you can stay safe while being active.

Getting around

If you have low vision, it can make it unsafe for you to drive. Here are some ideas for getting around.

• Ask others for help. You may be able to get rides from friends, neighbors, family members, or local volunteer groups.
• Use public transportation, if you can. Check with your local public transit company for bus or train schedules. Also ask if your area has services that can take you door-to-door (paratransit) where you need to go.
• Think about using taxis or a ride share service. Ride share apps include Uber and Lyft. If you don't have a smartphone, you can go online with another device, like a computer or tablet, to request a ride.
• Look for low-cost transportation. The United Way, Lyft, and other programs will deliver food and give rides to work, grocery stores, and other places. You can learn more by going online to 211.org or calling 211.
• Think about using a white cane. It can help you feel safer as you move around. And a cane can let people know that you may have trouble seeing.

Getting support

Look for low-vision specialists and groups and agencies that offer counseling, training, and other special services related to vision loss. They can give you practical advice and training on managing your household and other activities of daily life. These specialists can also help you find ways to cope with low vision in the workplace. Specialists may include:

• Rehabilitation counselors and teachers. They can address specific needs.
• Occupational therapists.
• Orientation and mobility specialists.
• Low-vision specialists.
• Experts in technology adapted for people with low vision.
• Professional counselors. They can offer guidance and support in dealing with the emotional and psychological effects of living with low vision.

Many resources are available. They can help you make the best use of the vision you do have and keep your quality of life. Family and friends may also be able to help you.