When vision loss cannot be fully corrected with glasses, medication, or surgery, low vision rehabilitation steps in. The goal is not to restore sight but to maximize function with the vision that remains.
People with macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and stroke-related vision loss often benefit dramatically. Low vision rehab can also help children with congenital conditions adapt to school and daily life.
A specialized eye care provider, often working with occupational therapists, assesses functional vision rather than only acuity. Reading speed, glare sensitivity, contrast sensitivity, and visual field are mapped, along with personal goals.
Handheld and stand magnifiers, telescopes mounted on glasses, and high-add reading lenses extend functional reading and detail work. Choosing the right magnification involves balancing power against working distance.
Closed-circuit video magnifiers, smartphone apps, screen readers, and OCR scanners have transformed possibilities. Many smartphones include accessibility features that effectively turn the device into a low vision aid.
Lighting upgrades, contrast enhancement, larger fonts, and tactile markings on appliances open up tasks that had become difficult. Small changes in the home produce outsized improvements in independence.
Eccentric viewing training teaches patients with central vision loss to use their better peripheral retina. Orientation and mobility instructors help with safe travel. Support groups address the emotional dimensions of vision loss. For comprehensive low vision resources, the National Eye Institute provides extensive patient information.