February is AMD Awareness Month: Protecting Your Sight

February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating, supporting, and empowering those affected by this leading cause of permanent vision loss in the US.

Across the United States, nearly 20 million adults over 40 are living with some form of AMD. As our population ages, that number continues to grow — making awareness, early detection, and research more important than ever.

 

What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye condition that affects the macula — the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. The macula allows us to read, recognize faces, drive, and see fine detail.

AMD does not cause complete blindness, but it can significantly impact central vision, making everyday tasks more and more difficult.

There are two main types:

Dry AMD

The most common form, accounting for about 80–90% of cases. It progresses gradually and may not show noticeable symptoms in early stages. But as time moves on the patients experience loss of central clear vision read, recognize faces, drive, and see fine detail.

Wet AMD

The less common form, with more sudden loss of vision. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid or blood, leading to rapid vision changes. People with a sudden drop in their vision should see an ophthalmologist promptly because early treatment can help prevent further vision loss.

Why Awareness Matters

One of the greatest challenges with AMD is that early stages often have no noticeable symptoms. By the time vision changes occur, damage may already be underway.

Early detection through comprehensive dilated eye exams can:

  • Help establish the cause 
  • Allow timely treatment for wet AMD
  • Slow progression
  • Preserve independence and quality of life

If you are over 50, have a family history of AMD, smoke, or have cardiovascular disease, your risk may be higher.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

  • Blurred or fuzzy central vision
  • Straight lines appearing wavy
  • Dark or empty areas in the center of vision
  • Difficulty recognizing faces
  • Increased need for brighter light when reading
  • Use the amsler grid test to check your vision at home

If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an eye exam promptly.

Taking Steps to Protect Your Vision

While there is currently no cure for AMD, lifestyle choices can play a role in delaying its onset or slowing progression:

  • Schedule regular comprehensive eye exams
  • Quit smoking
  • Eat leafy greens and foods rich in antioxidants
  • Maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol
  • Protect your eyes from UV light

Research continues to advance, offering hope for improved treatments and, one day, prevention.

How You Can Make a Difference During AMD Awareness Month

Awareness leads to action. Here are ways to get involved:

  • Support vision research by donating to the Discovery Eye Foundation, click here to donate
  • Share educational resources with family and friends
  • Encourage loved ones over 50 to schedule eye exams
  • Learn about clinical trials and emerging therapies

Together, we can reduce the impact of AMD and ensure more people preserve their sight and independence.

A Message of Hope

AMD can be life-changing, but it does not have to mean losing independence or hope. With early detection, proper care, and continued research, we are making meaningful strides in protecting vision.

This February, let’s commit to prioritizing eye health — for ourselves and for those we love.

Protect Your Sight: 10 Habits to Avoid for Healthy Eyes

Your eyes are delicate and constantly at work, yet many everyday habits can unknowingly contribute to long-term damage to our vision.  Here are 10 everyday habits that might be harming your eyes without you even realizing it:

  1. Rubbing your eyes – This can damage the delicate tissues around the eyes and increase the risk of keratoconus in susceptible people. It also spreads germs, raising the chance of infections like conjunctivitis.

Better habit: Use a clean tissue or wash your face if your eyes are irritated.

 

  1. Staring at screens for too long – Spending hours on phones, computers, or tablets without breaks can cause digital eye strain. Symptoms include dryness, blurred vision, headaches, and eye fatigue.

Better habit: Follow the 20-20-20 rule — every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

 

  1. Sleeping in contact lenses – Wearing contacts overnight (unless specifically approved) can cut off oxygen to your corneas and increase the risk of corneal ulcer.

Better habit: Always remove and clean contacts before bed.

 

  1. Skipping sunglasses – Not wearing sunglasses exposes your eyes to harmful UV rays, increasing the risk of cataract and macular degeneration over time.

Better habit: Wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays, even on cloudy days.

 

  1. Ignoring dryness or irritation – Eye dryness can lead to chronic discomfort or damage to the corneal surface if left untreated. It may be linked to dry eye syndrome.

Better habit: Use preservative-free artificial tears and blink more often, especially when using screens. If persists, see your eye care practitioner.

 

  1. Not removing makeup properly – Sleeping in eye makeup can block oil glands, causing irritation or infection.

Better habit: Gently remove makeup each night with a clean cloth or wipes designed for the eye area.

 

  1. Using expired eye makeup – Old makeup can harbor bacteria, leading to eye infections.

Better habit: Replace mascara every 3 months and avoid sharing makeup to reduce the risk of contamination.

 

  1. Poor Contact Lens Hygiene – Not cleaning your contact lenses properly or using tap water to rinse them can lead to infections.

Better habit: Always follow your eye doctor’s care instructions, use fresh solution, and wash your hands before handling lenses.

 

  1. Reading in Poor Lighting – Though it won’t permanently damage your eyes, reading in dim light can cause eye strain and discomfort.

Better habit: Read or do close up work with adequate lighting.

 

  1. Skipping regular eye exams – Some serious eye diseases, like glaucoma, can develop without noticeable symptoms.

Better habit: Get a comprehensive eye exam every 1–2 years (or as recommended by your eye doctor).

 

Taking care of your eyes is just as important as caring for the rest of your body. Breaking bad habits and staying on top of regular eye exams can help keep your vision strong for years.  If you have any concerns about your eye health, consult your eye care professional for advice.

Don’t Forget Your Eyes: UV Protection is Just as Important as Sunscreen

Summertime often means long hours spent outdoors—whether at the beach, hiking, barbecuing, or just soaking up the sunshine. Most of us know to apply sunscreen to protect our skin from harmful UV rays, but there’s one vital area we often overlook: Our Eyes.

Just like your skin, your eyes are vulnerable to the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can lead to serious eye health issues over time, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and even certain types of eye cancer.

UV radiation, whether from natural sunlight or indoor artificial rays, can damage the eye’s surface tissues as well as the cornea and lens.  Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the dangers UV light can pose. By wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, you can enjoy the summer safely while lowering your risk for potentially blinding eye diseases.

Here are a few of the eye conditions you can avoid by wearing sunglasses:

  • Cataracts and eye cancers can take years to develop. Each time you bask in the sun without eye protection, you increase your risk of serious disease. Babies and children need to wear hats and sunglasses for this very reason. People of all ages should take precautions whenever they are outdoors.
  • Growths on the eye, such as pterygium, can show up in our teens or 20s. Surfers, skiers, fishermen, farmers, and others who spend long hours under the midday sun or near rivers, oceans, and mountains are at risk.
  • Snow blindness can happen after exposure to UV reflections off of snow, ice, sand, or water.

The good news? Protecting your eyes is simple.

Here’s how you can safeguard your vision this summer and every season

Many sunglasses shoppers forget to check the UV rating before purchasing a pair. Be sure to select sunglasses that provide 100% UV or UV400 protection, or block both UV-A and UV-B rays.

Here are additional tips to protect your eyes from UV damage, no matter what the season: 

  • Wear a hat along with your sunglasses. Broad-brimmed hats are best.
  • Protect children and senior citizens with hats and sunglasses. Everyone is at risk for sun damage.
  • Know that clouds don’t block UV light. The sun’s rays can pass through haze and clouds.
  • Sunlight is strongest midday to early afternoon. It is also stronger at higher altitudes and when reflected off of water, ice, or snow.
  • Never look directly at the sun. Doing so at any time, including during an eclipse, can damage the eye’s retina and cause a serious injury known as solar retinopathy.
  • Avoid tanning beds. Tanning beds pose the same risks to your eyes and body as outdoor UV light.

Long-term eye health starts with small steps today. By embracing these simple guidelines, your eyes will thank you for years to come.

Support Sight-Saving Research by Donating to the Discovery Eye Foundation

DONATE NOW

Smoking and Vision Loss

Smoking has long been known to cause heart disease and lung cancer; however many people do not realize that smoking can lead to serious loss of vision. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals that can damage many organs in our bodies, including our eyes. Over time, smoking can cause serious eye diseases that can cause permanent vision issues.

The following eye diseases can be made worse by smoking:

  • Age-related Macular Degeneration(AMD) – an eye disease that affects central vision. You need central vision to see objects clearly and for common tasks such as reading, recognizing faces, and driving.
  • Cataracts – cause blurry vision that progresses over time. Without surgery, cataracts can lead to serious vision loss. The best way to protect your sight from damage linked to smoking is to quit or never start smoking.
  • Glaucoma – causes a gradual breakdown of the cells that make up the optic nerve which sends visual information to your brain.. As the nerve cells die, vision is slowly lost, usually beginning with side vision. Often the loss of vision is not noticeable until a significant amount of nerve damage has occurred. This is why as many as half of all people with glaucoma may be unaware that they have the disease.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy – a common complication of diabetes. It affects the tiny blood vessels of the retina in the eye. Retinal blood vessels can break down, leak or become blocked and this can affect vision over time. In some people with diabetic retinopathy, serious damage to the eye can occur when new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina.
  • Dry Eye Syndrome – is a condition where eyes do not produce enough tears and lubrication may result in more prominent blood vessels on the eye This can lead to eye irritation, burning, scratchy and painful eyes.

Symptoms of Eye Diseases Related to Smoking:

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD):

    • Loss of central vision needed to see details straight ahead.
    • Blurry or wavy areas in the central vision.
    • Difficulty recognizing faces.
    • Need for more light to read or perform other tasks.

Cataracts:

    • Cloudy or blurry vision.
    • Colors appearing faded or dull.
    • Sensitivity to light.
    • Trouble seeing at night.
    • Double vision.

Diabetic Retinopathy:

    • Blurry or distorted vision.
    • Dark or empty areas in vision.
    • Difficulty seeing colors.

Dry Eye Syndrome:

    • Scratchy, burning, or painful sensations.
    • Red eyes
    • Excessive tearing.
    • Blurry vision.

How Can You Protect Your Vision Related to Smoking?

The best way to protect your eyes is to QUIT SMOKING.  According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), quitting smoking lowers the risk of developing eye diseases. Your eyes can begin to recover and your overall health will improve.

Here are some tips to protect your eyes:

  • Eat Healthy Foods: Add leafy greens like spinach and kale to your meals. Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon and tuna, are also good for your eyes.
  • Wear Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from the sun by wearing sunglasses. Look for sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Sunglasses help even on cloudy days.
  • Get Regular Eye Exams: Schedule regular check-ups with an eye doctor. Early detection of eye problems can lower your risk of serious diseases. If eye diseases run in your family, early care is especially important.

If you smoke cigarettes and are concerned about your vision, consult with your health care provider about ways to quit smoking to help protect your eyes.  You can also find resources to help you on your journey to living a smoke-free life at Smokefree.gov.

April is Women’s Eye Health Month

April is Women’s Eye Health Month to educate women about the steps they can take today to help preserve vision in the future. 

Did you know that more women suffer from visual impairments than men? Two thirds of blindness occurs in women. One reason why women are affected by more eye health issues than men is because they tend to live longer and according to the National Eye Institute, women are also affected by hormonal factors.  Some eye conditions can cause vision loss and even blindness. These include:

The easiest way to test for common eye problems is a dilated eye exam – in which your eye doctor uses drops to widen your pupils and check for common issues.  This exam is the best way to detect eye disease’s early stages.

Good Eye Habits to Lessen or Prevent Future Vision Problems

  • Receive an annual eye exam. Regular dilated eye exams help monitor your vision status.
  • Eat a healthy diet. Good nutrition is the key to good health, including your vision. Dark green vegetables have been shown to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) potentially. Also, remember to keep your diet low in sodium and caffeine. Visit our website for eye healthy recipes  discoveryeye.org/eye-cook-delicious-food-health/
  • Quit smoking today. Crushing the habit of smoking can reduce the risk of a host of diseases such as cancer and respiratory issues. Smoking is the most important risk factor for AMD and progression.

Having healthy eyes not only keeps us alert but keeps us safe. It is of the utmost importance to keep our eyes safe and have regular eye exams to check for any problems.

DEF’s Vision Legacy Society

We extend a heartfelt invitation to you to forge a vision legacy!

Join the Discovery Eye Foundation’s Vision Legacy Society! 

By including us in your estate planning, you can make a significant impact on the preservation of vision through a gift that will transform countless lives.

Your Vision Legacy Gift could help fund our sight-saving initiatives.

Support the groundbreaking research and the development of preventive measures and innovative treatments for debilitating eye diseases, including:

  • Age-related Eye Diseases
  • Macular Degeneration (AMD)
  • Diabetic Retinopathy
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa
  • Glaucoma
  • Keratoconus
  • Dry Eye

WAYS TO GIVE

  • Include us in your will, living trust, or estate plan
  • Designate DEF as a beneficiary in your will, living trust, or estate plan
  • Explore IRA charitable rollover options
  • Contribute through donor-advised funds
  • Create a charitable gift annuity
  • Establish endowment gifts for sustained research funding

WHAT TO GIVE

  • Cash Donations
  • Stocks
  • Bonds
  • Mutual Funds
  • Retirement Plan Assets
  • Real Estate Contributions
  • Insurance Policies

Your Vision Legacy Society Gift will further our goal of saving vision and making a profound impact on the gift of sight today and for generations to come. 

For information we invite you to our interactive estate-planning website at: discoveryeye.mylegacygift.org/

September is Healthy Aging Month

Healthy Aging Month is an annual health observance designed to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older.  Aging is a process that brings many changes. Vision loss and blindness, however, do not have to be one of them. There are several simple steps you can take to help keep your eyes healthy for the rest of your life.

Eye diseases often have no early symptoms, but can be detected during a comprehensive dilated eye exam.  A comprehensive dilated eye exam is different from the basic eye exam or screening you have for glasses or contacts. By dilating the pupils and examining the back of the eyes, your eye care professional can detect eye diseases in their early stages, before vision loss occurs. By performing a comprehensive eye exam, your eye care professional can check for early signs of –

Here are some other tips to maintain healthy vision now and as you age:

  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables can help keep your eyes healthy. Visit our website for healthy eye recipes, click here Eye Cook.

 

 

  • Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight increases your risk for diabetes. By exercising regularly, you can help keep your body healthy and prevent vision loss. 

 

 

  • Don’t smoke. Smoking increases your risk for age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and other eye diseases and conditions that can damage the optic nerve.

 

 

 

  • Wear protective eyewear when outdoors. Protecting your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays when you are outdoors is vital for your eye health.  Wearing sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.

 

  • Know your family history.  Talk to your family members about their eye health history. It’s important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with a disease or condition since many are hereditary, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetes . This will help determine if you are at higher risk for developing an eye disease or condition.

 

  • Consider a multivitamin. Vitamins C, E and the mineral zinc have been shown to promote eye health.  Vitamins with Lutein and Zeaxanthin have been known to help patients with moderate to severe age-related macular degeneration.

 

  • Give your eyes a rest.  If you spend a lot of time at the computer or focusing at any one distance, you sometimes forget to blink, resulting in dryness and eye fatigue.  Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This can help reduce eyestrain. Consider using a lubricant eye drop during long periods of intense eye use and rest your eyes for 5 minutes.

You can’t stop time, but you can take care of your eyes so that they remain healthy as you age. Having a healthy vision can be possible at any age! Even if you are not experiencing vision problems, visiting an eye care professional regularly for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of vision loss as you age.

Download “Everyone’s vision can change with age”
A handout with explanation on how vision can change with age.

February is AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month is observed annually every February. It’s an awareness month targeted at spreading information about AMD and other sight threatening diseases that could lead to visual impairment.

AMD is a disease that is a leading cause of low vision in Americans older than 50 years of age. The macula is the part of the eye affected by this disease, a pigmented, oval-shaped part of the retina. About 5mm in diameter, it is responsible for the central vision required for driving, reading, and fine detail. AMD, is a progressive disease that causes retinal cells to slowly die, though it causes no physical pain.

Medical experts have been able to identify some risk factors that might lead to the onset of AMD, including high blood pressure, high levels of blood cholesterol, obesity, and smoking. Other risk factors that a person has no control over are age, heredity, race, and gender. Symptoms of the disease include blurry vision, blind spots, straight lines appearing wavy, doorways seeming crooked, and objects appearing farther away or smaller. When any of these symptoms present themselves, the concerned individual is advised to immediately visit an ophthalmologist.

Watch the video below to learn more about AMD presented by M. Cristina Kenney, MD, PhD

 

For more information on AMD and other visual impairments – EYE CONDITIONS

The Discovery Eye Foundation is committed to finding a treatment for Dry AMD which makes up 85% of AMD cases and for which there is no FDA approved treatment as yet. This could preserve the vision of millions of people.  Luckily, there are treatments for Wet AMD. Right now, research supported by DEF at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Medical School is on the cutting edge of promising breakthroughs that could make the difference in the lives of so many. 

If you would like to help support DEF’s sight-saving research, click here DONATE NOW.  Your generosity may help save your vision or that of someone you love.

5 Most Common Eye Problems

Most people have eye problems at one time or another. Some are minor and will go away on their own, or are easy to treat at home. Others need a specialist’s care. Some eye issues come with age while others may be a serious condition.

 

If you’ve never had a problem with your eyes it can be easy to forget how important it is to take care of them. The good news is that it’s never too late to start taking care of your eye health. Regular eye health appointments and eye exams can lead to early diagnosis. This is key to correcting or slowing most eye conditions.  Always see your eye care professional if your vision problem lasts for more than a few days or worsens.

The five most common eye conditions leading to loss of vision or blindness are:

  • Dry Eye
  • Cataracts
  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Glaucoma
  • Age-related macular degeneration

Dry Eye

Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when your tears aren’t able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. Tears can be inadequate for many reasons. For example, dry eyes may occur if you don’t produce enough tears or if you produce poor-quality tears. Dry eyes can also feel very uncomfortable.

Signs and symptoms, which usually affect both eyes, may include:

  • A stinging, burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes
  • Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Eye redness
  • A sensation of having something in your eyes
  • Difficulty wearing contact lenses
  • Difficulty with nighttime driving
  • Watery eyes, which is the body’s response to the irritation of dry eyes
  • Blurred vision or eye fatigue

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that typically will affect your vision. Most cataracts are related to aging. People who have cataracts often have other vision problems in one or both eyes that accompany the cataract, such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism (blurred vision), and/or presbyopia (reading problems).

The lens lies behind the iris and the pupil. It works much like a camera lens. It focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye, where an image is recorded and sent to the brain. The lens also adjusts the eye’s focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away. The lens is made of mostly water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that normally keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it.

But as we age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud the lens. This is a cataract. Over time, the cataract may grow larger or more dense making it harder to see. There are no known medications or diets to prevent age-related cataract so currently the only treatment is cataract surgery. Consult an ophthalmologist for a cataract surgery evaluation.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in American adults caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina.

We know that:

  • Currently more than 4 million Americans aged 40 and older have some form of diabetic retinopathy
  • There is a higher prevalence in African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians, and Alaska Natives aged 20 and older
  • Preventive measures help and it is highly treatable.

In some people with diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels may swell and leak fluid or blood inside the eye. In other people, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision.

Two important tips for diabetic retinopathy prevention: 1) Diabetic retinopathy is worse in patients with poor blood sugar control, so follow your diet and medication prescriptions carefully. 2) Get a dilated eye exam from your ophthalmologist every year for early diagnosis and treatment.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease that causes damage to the major nerve of the eye called the optic nerve, a part of the central nervous system that carries visual information from the eye to the brain.

The eye experiences a gradual increase of intraocular pressure (IOP) due to an imbalance of the fluid produced in the eye and the amount of fluid drained. Over time, elevated IOP can cause vision loss. The most common form of glaucoma is primary open angle glaucoma which affects about 3 million Americans. However, there are other types including narrow angle, congenital, normal tension, and secondary glaucoma.

At age 50 about 2% of the US population has glaucoma, increasing to 4% by age 70 and 10% for those over age 80. While anyone can develop glaucoma, there are some risk factors that increase the likelihood of having this disease, which include:

  • A family history of glaucoma
  • Mexican American heritage over the age of 60
  • African American heritage over age 40.

Often people with glaucoma are unaware they have the disease because there are no symptoms, so it is recommended that you have a dilated eye exam every two years. With early diagnosis there are treatments that can often protect against irreversible damage to the optic nerve that can lead to serious vision loss. Glaucoma can be treated with eye medications, lasers, and various surgical procedures. However, if glaucoma is not controlled can cause debilitating loss of vision.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye condition affecting as many as 15 million Americans. The disease attacks the macula of the eye, where our sharpest central vision occurs, affecting reading, driving, identifying faces, watching television, safely navigating stairs and performing other daily tasks. Although it rarely results in complete blindness, it robs the individual of all but the outermost, peripheral vision, leaving only dim images or black holes at the center of vision.

As the disease progresses color vision and central vision sharpness deteriorates. the gradual destruction of light sensitive cells continues until large areas are totally gone. Peripheral vision remains, but the ability to clearly see straight ahead and to see color is lost.

For many people, the first sign of macular degeneration is something they notice themselves. Straight lines like doorways or telephone wires may appear wavy or disconnected. When you look at a person, their face may be blurred while the rest of them is in focus. Lines of print may be blurred in the center or the lines may be crooked. For some people, there is a sudden blurring or loss of sight in the center of vision. For any sudden change in vision, you should contact your ophthalmologist immediately.

AMD can be classified into Early AMD and Late AMD. In Early AMD, a patient may have drusen, which are small protein/lipid deposits underneath the retina, and they can still have good vision. In Late AMD, there are two common forms that occur—wet (neovascular AMD) and dry (atrophic AMD). The wet AMD has abnormal blood vessels beneath the retina that leak blood which can greatly distort the vision and cause a central blind spot.  Approximately 10-15% of patients have the wet form. Fortunately, there are treatments for wet AMD.   To date, the dry, atrophic form of AMD does not have any treatments available. In dry AMD, the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, which are the posterior-most layer of cells in the retina, undergo extensive degeneration that causes the overlying retina to lose function.  We do not know what causes the RPE cells to become unhealthy and start to die.  Many research laboratories worldwide are studying the causes of dry AMD and how to treat it.

Help keep your eyes healthy for years to come with regular eye exams, and treatment at the first sign of a problem.

 

February is AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month

Low vision affects millions of Americans — including many older adults. People with low vision aren’t blind, but because of their vision loss, they may not be able to do everyday tasks like driving or reading even with glasses.

What is Low Vision?

When your eyesight is impaired to the degree that you struggle with daily tasks like reading or cooking – or that you have difficulty recognizing faces, you may have a medical condition referred to as low vision. Someone with low vision can’t simply put on a pair of glasses or contacts and see well; this condition is beyond the typical loss of vision that occurs with aging.

Individuals experiencing low vision can struggle with maintaining independence; hobbies, reading and even socializing may become challenging as vision loss progresses. Because of the impact low vision can have on your life, it is important to have your eyes checked by a low vision specialist if you have any concerns. Since it is unusual to be able to restore vision once it is lost, screenings can help preserve the vision you have and help you access adaptive lenses and devices if you need them. While there is not a cure for low vision,  a low vision specialist can help you adapt and if needed, create a vision rehabilitation program designed to meet your specific needs.

If you are experiencing trouble seeing even with prescription eye glasses, ask your optometrist or ophthalmologist for a low vision evaluation. If your practitioner does not perform this evaluation, request a referral to a low vision specialist in a private practice, at a Braille Institute or a University Eye Care Institute. 

Low vision is often caused by one of these conditions:

  • Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) –AMD is a progressive eye condition affecting as many as 15 million Americans. The disease attacks the macula of the eye, where our sharpest central vision occurs, affecting reading, driving, identifying faces, watching television, safely navigating stairs and performing other daily tasks. Although it rarely results in complete blindness, it robs the individual of all but the outermost, peripheral vision, leaving only dim images or black holes at the center of vision. Read more

  • Diabetes– Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in American adults caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina.

In some people with diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels may swell and leak fluid or blood inside the eye. In other people, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision.  Read More 

  • Glaucoma– Glaucoma is a disease that causes damage to the major nerve of the eye called the optic nerve, a part of the central nervous system that carries visual information from the eye to the brain

The eye experiences a gradual increase of intraocular pressure (IOP) due to an imbalance of the fluid produced in the eye and the amount of fluid drained. Over time, elevated IOP can cause vision loss. The most common form of glaucoma is primary open angle glaucoma which affects about 3 million Americans. However, there are other types including narrow angle, congenital, normal tension, and secondary glaucoma. Read more

Reducing your risk for Low Vision

Practicing healthy daily lifestyle habits can reduce your risk for low vision. A healthy diet, not smoking and maintaining healthy blood pressure are important first steps. Other healthy habits that can lower the risk include:

  • Eat a diet with plenty of green, leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, and collard greens, and fresh fruit.
  • Fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids is good for eye health. Try to include it in your diet at least once or twice a week. Types of fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, and albacore tuna.
  • It’s important to keep your body healthy. Maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The healthier your body, the more it can foster good eye health. Visit our website for eye healthy recipes Eye Cook.
  • Protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses and a hat with a visor in bright sunlight to protect your eyes from potentially harmful ultra-violet (UV) light and blue light.

Low Vision Reading Apps on Your Smartphone

Reading often is one of the most difficult challenges for visually impaired people. Many people with low vision give up reading altogether, because what used to be an enjoyable, effortless activity now requires thought, preparation and a lot of adjustment. In short, reading is just no fun anymore. 

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has listed some of the top apps, devices and resources for people with low vision, below are a few listed for reading app, for more apps visit American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Reading

  • KNFB Reader (Android and iOS, $99.99) – This voice-to-text tool lets you take a picture of any text—books, recipes, product labels—and have it read back to you or converted to braille.
  • Audible (Android and iOS, $14.95 per month plus downloads) – Provides downloadable audiobooks, periodicals, newspapers and more. Their collection currently includes 200,000+ books.
  • Kindle app (Android, iOS, PC and Mac, free) – An e-reader app that allows you to download books. Books can be purchased and directly downloaded from Amazon, or downloaded from your library app into the Kindle app. The free Kindle app can be downloaded onto many iOS and Android devices.
  • Bookshare (Android and iOS, $50 per year) – An online library for people with low vision. Currently, the Bookshare collection contains nearly 850,000 titles, downloadable in a choice of formats including ebooks, audio, braille, and large font. Membership requires verification of your print disability, and includes free downloads.
  • BARD Mobile (Android and iOS, free) – A talking book library that offers access to tens of thousands of titles. You must first enroll in the National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Print Disabled at the Library of Congress. Note that this program may only be available in the United States.

 

Regular eye exams are essential for all adults; it is recommended that adults over the age of 60 have eye exams each year. If your vision can not be improved to the point that you are able to see the things you need to see or read, your eye care professional can refer you to a low vision specialist. This specialist differs from a conventional optometrist and is trained to evaluate your low vision problem and offer solutions to help you retain or regain independence and the ability to do things you enjoy again.

 

More Low Vision resources