Solutions Are Available (NAPSA)—Have you ever looked at a telephone pole and noticed it to be less than straight? Have you detected a loss of your peripheral vision, making it easier for people to startle you or making driving with confidence moredifficult? As you age, your eyes get older, too. And as your eyes get older, your risk for low vision and low vision—causing eye diseases increases. Low vision is common amongst people in their senior years. Once vision is lost by diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, it often cannot be restored. Vision can, however, be preserved, and with a few changesinlifestyle and the use of low vision devices, living independently with low vision can be both safe andfulfilling. WhatIs Low Vision? “Low vision is a visual impair- ment that cannot be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, pharmaceuticals or surgery,” explained Dr. Paul Michelson, Chair of The Vision Council’s medical arm, the Better Vision Institute, as well as a low vision medical expert. “Morelikely than not, everyone knows someone with low vision.” Atfirst, you might notice a bit of distortion in your vision. Something that is a straight line in reality—a telephone pole, for example—may appear to curve to a person with low vision. Low vision can impair the ability to complete activities of daily living or follow routines and enjoy pastimes—such as reading— that people take for granted. It is a commonailment for adults 60+ and seniors who maybe agingin place. Low vision is often coupled with a diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma. Low vision differs from presbyopia, which is when the ability to focus on near objects simply diminishes. Signs of low vision are broader and include: Areas of blurred or distorted vision or spots and blotches in your vision Shadowed or darkenedfield of view or noticeable loss of peripheral vision A gradualloss of central vision LOW VISION’ Rare whatislowvision Low vision, often caused by macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and other eye conditions, can be treated by an eye care provider. Cloudy and blurred vision or exaggerated “halos” around bright lights Blind spots in your field of view. Seeing an eye doctor at thefirst sign of any visual change can help to detect the diseases that result in low vision and is an important step in maintaining good vision. Sometimes there is a pharmaceutical or surgical solution to stop further progression of one of the diseases associated with low vision. There are also eye care providers who specialize in low vision devices. These specialists can help their patients with low vision devices such as stand magnifiers, closedcircuit TVs and telescopic lenses to help them maintain independence and improve their ability to perform daily tasks. Dr. Michelson also pointed out, “We urge people to check on family, friends and neighbors who might be experiencing someof the signs of low vision. Vision training, vision rehabilitation and low vision devices can help people maintain and optimize visual function, and preserve as muchsightasis possible.” With the goal of raising awareness about symptomsof low vision and finding available resources, The Vision Council created a new website. “The information and re- sources on this new website can teach people more about the changes they are experiencing. Catching the symptomsof low vision early may help sight be preserved and, in some cases, lessen the advance of low vision,” added Dr. Michelson. Where To Learn More To learn more about low vision and find resources, visit www.what islowvision.org.
