One of the essential parts of our body is the eyes. It gives us a sense of direction and clarity. They make us see the world’s beauty and the people we love. Unfortunately, there are people who suffer from eye impairment, like low vision. Low vision is caused by age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetes, and cancer of the eye.
There are several classifications of low vision:
- Loss of central vision – not being able to see things in the centre of your vision
- Loss of peripheral vision – not seeing things out of the corner of your eyes
- Night blindness – not being able to see in low light
- Blurred vision – objects near and far appear out of focus
- Hazy vision – vision seems like it’s covered with a film or glare.
Having visual impairment can be very challenging and, at the same time, dangerous. Fortunately, glasses and contact lenses can help visual impairment, but low vision, however, can’t be corrected by glasses, contact lenses, or even surgery. Instead, there are several low vision aids that can help them function properly and improve their quality of life.
Low Vision Aids
Low vision aids are devices that can help improve visual performance in people with low vision. Low vision aids are task-specific and are categorized into two:
- Near optical devices – used for within arm’s reach visual clarity and can be used for activities such as reading, writing, sewing, and crafting.
- Distance optical devices – used for visual clarity of beyond arm’s reach distance or of things from a great distance. These can help you with activities such as reading street signs, reading on a whiteboard, watching television, seeing a movie or a sporting event, and seeing faces better.
Low vision aids can help with daily tasks that you may find difficult to perform because of your limited vision. Here are several ways how low vision aids can help regain independence and improve quality of life:
- Gives Better Distance Vision
Telescopic Spectacles are used for better distance vision, magnifying optical systems or miniature binoculars are integrated into the eyeglasses. Its compact and lightweight features offer great convenience while still maintaining brilliant image quality. Your job as a professor teaching a class will not be so difficult anymore. Leisurely activities such as watching a movie or an opera are something you will enjoy. Driving will not be tricky and dangerous as well. With the use of telescopic spectacles, these activities won’t be a hassle.
- Provides Better View Of Small Printed Items
There will be instances you need to read very small printed items and a low vision aid like a hand-held magnifier could help you with that. The magnifiers provide a detailed magnification of an object that is standing at a close distance. They vary in different shapes, sizes, and features. It could be handy in reading price tags in malls and menus in restaurants since they are portable, though it may not work as well as the glasses since your hands are occupied. On the plus side, it is less expensive than the other low vision aids.
- Helps With Daily Tasks
Having low vision can interfere with a person’s daily activities. A low vision aid like a video magnifier system can help someone with low vision. This device consists of a camera and a monitor that projects an enlarged image on the screen. Patients with low vision that is hazy and blurred prefer this device since it provides additional field, brightness, and polarity control. It effectively improves contrast and residual vision and is recommended for prolonged reading, doing craft projects, and doing needlework such as knitting and crocheting.
- Enhances Mobility and Visual Acuity
Advanced devices to help patients with low vision are now available in the market. And these devices can enhance a patient’s mobility and visual acuity. One example is the electronic eye or digital eyewear. These are glasses built with technological attachments designed for visually impaired patients. Patients with severe eye conditions widely use this modern device. They get the most enhanced vision with its clinically-validated technology. The experience gives them unmatched mobility and the best visual acuity. It has incomparable technology with mobile and cloud-based capabilities. With this device, patients will no longer limit themselves with tasks they can do since they can do almost anything.
Conclusion
Losing one’s vision can be very frightening and overwhelming. The fear of getting into accidents and injuries is heightened because of low vision. It can affect one’s quality of life, mobility, and independence. Fortunately, there are visual aids that can reduce these worries and help you see better. The different low vision aids mentioned above can maximize the remaining vision of the patient. Depending on the use, these devices are designed for more comfort and convenience for the user. Thus, exposing patients to more enriching experiences and enhancing their quality of life.