Visual Impairments
Optical issues with the eye are quite common, possibly because we started as cavemen who did not have to read tiny letters on a computer screen as you may be doing right now. Conditions that may be corrected with optics include astigmatism, near and far sightedness and some forms of visual field distortion.
Some eyes have trouble seeing color the way other's do. This is called color blindness, and is more common in men. As we age there are common diseases and concerns including cataracts and glaucoma. Having diabetes can make you more likely to develop retinopathy, when blood vessels in the retina break and leak into the eye.
Some conditions may lead to partial or total blindness. Legal blindness is a legal term more than a medical one, but meeting the standard for legal blindness can qualify you for special help.
Recently Answered
- Q How does lighting and glare affect people with low vision?
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Good lighting and control of glare are very important for most people with low vision. Here are some useful suggestions: A bright light close to reading material often improves vision. Adjust its location for the greatest visibility without glare. In... Full Answer
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- Q What can be done to help people with low vision?
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Vision rehabilitation can help people with low vision compensate for their vision loss, much as rehabilitation helps people with heart disease, arthritis and stroke. You can learn new strategies to complete daily activities. By mastering new techniques... Full Answer
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- Q What could cause my 6-year-old to have blurred vision?
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Blurred vision is a common complaint among children in this age group, whereas noting that objects are far away is an unusual observation. Blurred vision may be related to refractive error (a need for eyeglasses), but more often may simply be... Full Answer
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- Q What could cause blurred vision in one eye only?
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Dr. David Demartini, OphthalmologyThe eyeball is a biologic camera. It gathers light, focuses the light on the retina, and the retina interprets the light to send an image back to the brain. All these functions have to work well to get a clear image. Genereally the eyes work... Full Answer
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- Q How does low-vision rehabilitation at home improve vision in some veterans?
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Visual impairment or low vision is one of the 10 most common causes of disability among Americans. For veterans with low vision, the VA provides rehabilitation at home that has been shown to improve their situation. The low vision rehabilitation serves... Full Answer
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- Q What low-vision aids are available?
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Many devices can help people with low vision make the most of their remaining vision and to function better and enhance their quality of life. Different devices may be needed for different tasks. Before purchasing a device, consider talking to a trained... Full Answer
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- Q What do I need to know about caring for someone with a visual impairment?
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If you are caring for someone with a serious visual impairment, you will need to know their symptoms as well as the course of treatment. It will help if you know what activities they need to avoid, as well as which activities are acceptable, and to help... Full Answer
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- Q What is the duration of treatment for visual impairments?
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Because there are so many forms of visual impairment, there are many treatments with varying durations. Corrective lenses may have to be worn for near- or farsightedness for the rest of your life. Surgery is has a shorter duration, usually involving just... Full Answer
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- Q What are the treatment options for visual impairments?
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Treatment options range from corrective lenses for minor visual impairment to surgical removal or repair of the eye for more serious conditions. Medications such as eye drops are another treatment option. Age-related visual impairment treatments might be... Full Answer
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- Q What are the symptoms of visual impairments?
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Because there are numerous visual impairments, there are numerous symptoms as well. One symptom might be blurred vision, while another could be pain. Floaters, or little specks in your line of vision, are usually harmless but can be a symptom of cancer... Full Answer
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