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Low Vision
Low vision means that even with
regular glasses, contact lenses,
medicine, or surgery, people find
everyday tasks difficult to do.
Reading the mail, shopping, cooking,
seeing the TV, and writing can seem
challenging.
Millions of Americans lose some of
their vision every year.
Irreversible vision loss is most
common among people over age 65.
Is losing vision just part of
getting older?
No. Some normal changes in our eyes
and vision occur as we get older.
However, these changes usually don't
lead to low vision.
Most people develop low vision
because of eye diseases and health
conditions like macular
degeneration, cataract, glaucoma,
and diabetes. A few people develop
vision loss after eye injuries or
from birth defects. While vision
that's lost usually cannot be
restored, many people can make the
most of the vision they have.
Your eye care professional can tell
the difference between normal
changes in the aging eye and those
caused by eye diseases.
How do I know if I have low vision?
There are many signs that can signal
vision loss. For example, even with
your regular glasses, do you have
difficulty:
Recognizing faces of friends and
relatives?
Doing things that require you to see
well up close, like reading,
cooking, sewing, or fixing things
around the house?
Picking out and matching the color
of your clothes?
Doing things at work or home because
lights seem dimmer than they used
to?
Reading street and bus signs or the
names of stores?
Vision changes like these could be
early warning signs of eye disease.
Usually, the earlier your problem is
diagnosed, the better the chance of
successful treatment and keeping
your remaining vision.
Content Courtesy : www.nei.nih.gov
Note : Information herein is
provided for informational purposes
only and is not a substitute for
professional medical advice. You
should not use this information for
diagnosing or treating a medical or
health condition. If you have or
suspect you have a medical problem,
promptly contact your professional
healthcare provider. Please consult
your healthcare provider before
beginning any course of
supplementation or treatment.
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