February is low vision awareness month and a good time to start thinking about your eye health. During this month, organizations can increase awareness so you can learn the causes of eye problems and understand techniques to improve your vision. If you already focus on eye care, this month can help you to learn more about low vision.
What is Low Vision?
Low vision is when weakened eyesight causes you to struggle with everyday tasks like cooking or writing. In severe cases, you may face difficulty in recognizing people’s faces. A person with low vision can’t resolve this issue by simply using contact lenses or glasses. This case of low vision is not the same as other age-related vision problems.
People with low vision can also face difficulty in maintaining hobbies and independence. If vision loss increases over time, it can make socializing a challenge for them. So, it is necessary to consult an eye specialist if you come across any problems.
Although it is unusual to restore vision, screening can help you prevent vision loss with various devices and adaptive lenses. Your doctor may also plan a vision rehabilitation program, which can help you to restore your vision.
Causes of Low Vision
Many factors contribute to low vision, including age. Some common causes of low vision are as follows:
Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration affects the retina. It causes spots in the center of the eye, resulting in blurry and uneven vision. This disease prevents you from seeing straight ahead, which is why you face difficulty in doing different tasks.
Macular degeneration is a common reason for low vision in people above the age of 55. Early diagnosis is critical to prevent further vision loss.
Diabetes
Diabetes can lead to many eye problems because of how the condition leads to changes in the eye blood vessels. These changes can disturb the vision.
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common reason for blindness in adults. It damages the retina and diagnosis is usually after permanent vision damage.
This condition can occur in diabetic patients of any age. If you are diabetic, it is important to undergo regular eye screening to avoid the risk of problems with your vision.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma can damage the optic nerves. This nerve connects your retina to the brain, allowing you to see. The damage can lead to vision loss and blindness if it is not diagnosed early. Also, you can’t restore vision damaged due to glaucoma.
There are no current treatments for glaucoma, but you can prevent it from damaging your vision. Glaucoma occurs mostly in adults as opposed to young people. Pressure in the eyes and high blood pressure also increase the risk of glaucoma.
Glaucoma is difficult to detect, and most people are diagnosed after suffering from vision loss. To prevent the problems, regular screenings or eye exams can help you to reduce the risk of vision loss.
The Bottom Line
Low Vision Awareness Month emphasizes how important it is to consider your eye health. You can prevent low vision by consulting your doctor, taking an eye exam, and undergoing eye screening every few months.
