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Low vision is a significant visual impairment that cannot be entirely corrected with glasses, contact lenses, surgery, or medication. It affects both central and peripheral vision, making ordinary tasks challenging. However, with LASIK eye surgery, the condition can be treated to a large extent. This article will shed light on the causes and types of low vision, its symptoms, treatment options and recovery process. If you or your loved ones are struggling with low vision, consult the expert ophthalmologists at Pristyn Care, who have the knowledge and experience to guide you towards the best possible treatments.
Low vision is a significant visual impairment that cannot be entirely corrected with glasses, contact lenses, surgery, or medication. It affects both central and ... Read More
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Low vision is a condition where a person experiences a considerable loss of vision that cannot be fully corrected through conventional means like eyeglasses, contact lenses, or even medical interventions like surgery or medication. It typically involves either a loss of central vision (which is required for detailed tasks like reading and recognising faces) or peripheral vision (which helps in broader sight, such as for driving or walking).
In India, low vision is an increasingly prevalent issue. This is mainly due to an ageing population and rising incidences of diseases like diabetes that can lead to eye complications. The numbers are stark; according to a study published by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), nearly 63 million people in India suffer from significant vision loss. A large portion of these individuals have low vision that remains uncorrected due to lack of awareness, accessibility or affordability issues related to eye healthcare services.
The root cause of low vision can often be traced back to various underlying health conditions or injuries:
Other conditions: Keratoconus, corneal scarring, and irregular astigmatism can also cause significant but not low vision levels.
It’s essential to understand the different types of low vision that a person may experience:
Low vision can manifest differently in different individuals; however, some common symptoms frequently occur:
The diagnosis of low vision is a comprehensive process involving several tests conducted by an eye care specialist.
While treatment cannot entirely cure low vision, several approaches can dramatically improve the patient’s quality of life:
Often, we might overlook slight changes in visibility, but there are some instances when a condition known as ‘low vision’ can become serious. Low vision is termed serious when it hampers a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks such as reading the newspaper, recognising people, or driving. This impairment could stem from various eye conditions that can’t be fully corrected with eyewear, surgery, or medication. Some of the eye diseases leading to serious low vision include:
While it’s uncontrollable to prevent certain eye conditions causing low vision like AMD, there are measures one can take to reduce the risk of developing these diseases. Regular eye check-ups from your family doctor or an ophthalmologist can help in early detection and prompt treatment of eye conditions before they lead to low vision. Furthermore, maintaining a balanced diet rich in green leafy vegetables and fish promotes eye health.
There’s a whirlpool of misconceptions and myths circling around low vision. Let’s debunk a few:
Myth: Low vision means blindness.
Fact: Low vision is not total blindness; it’s an impairment that can’t be fully corrected with conventional treatments.
Myth: Only the elderly suffer from low vision.
Fact: While age-related conditions like AMD make elders susceptible to low vision, it can affect individuals of all ages.
Myth: Individuals with low vision are born with their impairment.
Fact: While some diseases may cause visual impairment at birth, others may develop over time due to various eye diseases or conditions.
Myth: People with low vision are constantly in need of assistance.
Fact: With adaptive techniques and assistive devices, individuals with low vision can perform many tasks independently.
It’s crucial to consult an ophthalmologist if you experience difficulty reading, recognising faces, or any changes in your vision. An ophthalmologist or eye specialist can diagnose and propose the best treatment for your low vision.
Vision is considered low when it cannot be corrected to a normal level with standard glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. This typically refers to visual acuity of 20/70 or worse in the better-seeing eye, even with the best possible correction.
Yes, there are primarily four types of low vision. They are ‘Loss of Central Vision’ where a blind spot is present in the centre of one’s field of vision, ‘Loss of Peripheral Vision’ where one cannot distinguish anything to their side while looking forward, ‘Night Blindness’ where one finds it challenging to see in well-lit conditions and finally ‘Blurred Vision’ where both near and far vision seems out of focus.
The treatment for low vision depends on the specific individual and their unique circumstances; however, most commonly it involves a combination of therapies. These might include medication to treat the underlying cause of low vision, visual aids like magnifying glasses or special lenses, and occupational therapy to help adapt to the day-to-day tasks with limited sight.
Laser treatment may be beneficial in some cases of low vision particularly those related to retinal disorders like diabetic retinopathy and wet macular degeneration. It’s essential though that you consult with your family doctor or an eye specialist who can guide you through the pros and cons of such treatment based on your specific condition.
The best doctors to consult for low vision are ophthalmologists, especially those specializing in low vision rehabilitation, as well as optometrists with expertise in managing low vision conditions.
Recovery after low vision treatment varies greatly from person to person depending on the cause and severity of their condition, as well as the type of treatment administered. In some cases, people may regain much of their lost sight, whereas in others, the focus might be more on managing the condition and enhancing quality of life with the sight that remains.
There is no sure shot prevention of low vision. However, the chances can be mitigated with routine eye care, which includes regular eye examinations from your family doctor or an eye specialist. They can detect early signs of eye conditions that could lead to low vision and initiate treatment at an early stage, thus preventing further vision loss.
