Eye Diseases and Disorders
Low Vision
What is Low Vision?
Low Vision is a form of vision impairment that involves irreversible vision loss. Low vision is significantly reduced vision but not blindness.
What Causes Low Vision?
The most common causes for low vision are age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. However, there are a wide variety of causes of low vision, including:
- Birth defects
- Inherited diseases
- Injuries
- Diabetes
- Cataract
- Aging
Symptoms of Low Vision
A thorough eye examination is needed to diagnose causes of low vision. People with low vision may experience the following symptoms:
- Loss of central vision
- Night blindness
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Blurred vision
- Hazy vision
Treatments for Low Vision
Low vision cannot be fully corrected. However, there are a wide array of devices to help people with low vision, including magnifiers and reading prisms, large-print reading materials, high-contrast watches, and machines that talk.
These symptoms can also be a sign of other eye conditions. If you have any of the symptoms, please check with your eye care practitioner.
