FAQs and Basic Information
Eye Care for People with Low Vision
Coping with Low Vision
Modifications and Low Vision Aids
Driving with Low Vision
Please see also the eye care page for links to pages about specific eye conditions and the braille literacy page for information about braille for people with low vision.
Development of content for this site is supported by your contributions, the sale of products through various affiliate programs, and Sarah's work as a writer, speaker, and in other areas listed on her services page. If the material on this site has been helpful or encouraging to you, please consider shopping using the sites linked here--and return to do your shopping anytime using these links to continue supporting this site--or making a contribution using the Amazon Honor System.
This site is intended to serve as a resource to help people find information about caring for their eyes, eye conditions, eyeware, and living with a visual impairment. If you would like to suggest a link, please email Sarah.
Please note: Sarah Blake is a person with a visual impairment who has studied education and rehabilitation of the visually impaired; however, the information on these pages does not constitute medical or professional advice and should not be construed as such. If you are in need of medical or professional help, please seek appropriate assistance from professionals who can interact with you.
What You Should Know About Low Vision
This NEI brochure provides facts about low vision and its causes.
What the World Looks Like to People with Low Vision
Here are some pictures of what street scenes might look like to people with various eye conditions.
How Do I Know If I Have Low Vision?
Here are common symptoms of low vision which indicate that you should seek help from a doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Low Vision
Here are answers to a few commonly asked questions, provided by the National Eye Institute.
How to Recognize Vision Loss in Older People
This brochure from the American Foundation for the Blind presents some things family members and friends can observe which may indicate that an older person is experiencing a decrease in vision and encourages regular eye exams.
Low Vision
Here is an introduction to what low vision is, common causes, and low vision aids. The discussion on causes of low vision is better than those on similar pages because it gives some detail about each condition rather than simply listing them.
Low Vision Care is Crucial to a Graying Population
Cynthia Stuen discusses the rising incidence of age-related visual impairments and the need for services to help older adults adjust to vision loss.
Low Vision Defined
This brochure provides information about signs that a person may have low vision and devices which can help people maximize the use of their vision.
Resources for People with Low Vision
This NEI brochure provides a listing of agencies and materials which can help people with low vision.
On Becoming a Wise Consumer of Low Vision Services
Aileen Rivera give parents some tips for taking advantage of low vision services, choosing low vision aids, and knowing when to teach and rely on alternative techniques. The principles in this article are equally beneficial for adults with low vision.
Help for People with Impaired Vision
Here is an introduction to vision rehabilitation and low vision care for older people.
What Is Low Vision?
Here is a medical definition of low vision and information about what low vision specialists do.
What Is a Low Vision Specialist?
Here is a brief discussion of what low vision specialists do, who is involved in rehabilitation of people with low vision, and how low vision specialists can be listed in an online directory.
What Occurs in a Low Vision Evaluation
This is a very good overview of the components of a low vision evaluation. Each of these components is vital for the exam to be most effective, and it is a good idea to be familiar with them so that you can get the most out of your exam.
Low Vision Specialist Directory
Find a low vision specialist near you.
Questions and Answers About Optical Devices
Here are some questions and answers about devices which can help people use low vision more efficiently and low vision examinations.
Questions to Ask
If you're nervous about an upcoming eye exam, here are a few questions to ask.
Blindness and the Use of Partial Sight
Alfred Maneki discusses reasons to use low vision and also emphasizes the importance of nonvisual techniques.
The Danger of Passing
Jody Ianuzzi discusses the problems with relying so much on low vision that people do not realize the extent of vision loss.
The Whole Truth About Partial Sight
Christine Faltz discusses her feelings about the consequences of fear of using alternative techniques.
Partial Vision, Partial Progress
Christopher Kuczynski discusses the changes that occurred when he began to use a white cane.
When to Stop Relying on Low Vision and Low Vision Aids
Here is some good advice from a person with low vision about indicators that a person may be relying too much on low vision and not enough on alternative techniques.
Designing Universally for Older Adults
Here is a discussion of the principles of universal design and examples of ways to make things usable by a wide variety of people.
Effective Color Contrast
Dr. Aries Arditi provides information about how to design so that the best color contrast is achieved for people with low vision or color vision deficiencies.
Guide to Reading Options for People with Low Vision
Here is a good guide to all types of reading options, including braille, recorded materials, large print, and radio reading services.
Illuminating Solutions
Here is some easy-to-read information about factors which influence how much and what type of lighting is best for a person with a visual impairment.
The Importance of Lighting for the Elderly
Linda Sanford provides information about how to achieve appropriate levels of lighting and emphasize contrast for elderly people.
Low Vision Aids
Here is an overview of various types of low vision aids from the National Organization on Albinism and Hypopigmentation.
Low Vision Aids (From Magnifiers to CCTVs)
Here is a comprehensive look at magnifiers, reading glasses, reading machines, bioptics, and other low vision aids and information about where to obtain them.
Low Vision Driving Information
This article presents the findings of a study on accident rates and citations among low vision drivers, nondisabled drivers and drivers with other disabilities and the requirements for licensing of drivers using bioptics in California. Although the information is specific to California, it may be useful to people living in other states as well.
Low Vision Systems
This brochure defines low vision, identifies some causes of low vision, and discusses the function of several types of low vision devices.
Making Text Legible
Dr. Aries Arditi provides some guidelines for making text readable using color contrast, print size, font, etc.
Selecting and Using Low Vision Devices
Dr. Anne Corn discusses factors to consider when selecting low vision aids.
Bioptic Driving
This brochure from the Low Vision Centers of Indiana discusses licensing requirements for bioptic driving in Indiana and presents a brief overview of what occurs in bioptic training.
Development of content for this site is supported by your contributions, the sale of products through various affiliate programs, and Sarah's work as a writer, speaker, and in other areas listed on her services page. If the material on this site has been helpful or encouraging to you, please consider shopping using the sites linked here--and return to do your shopping anytime using these links to continue supporting this site--or making a contribution using the Amazon Honor System.
Sarah J. Blake