Vision problems: Living with poor eyesight
How can I adapt to my poor eyesight?
Some simple changes can help you use your remaining vision to its full potential and allow you to live as independently as possible. The keys to success are as follows.
Make simple changes
- Make a list of things you have trouble doing. Use the checklist for identifying low-vision aids for daily activities
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- Make simple accommodations at home that will help you manage your household chores and care for your personal needs.
- Use low-vision aids and adaptive technology, such as lenses and other devices, to enhance your remaining vision.
These are a few ideas on how to make living with low vision easier and safer. Low-vision rehabilitation specialists can provide you with detailed information and training on managing your household and other activities that can be more challenging when you have reduced vision.
Use lighting
- Position lighting so that it is aimed at what you want to see, and away from your eyes.
- Add table and floor lamps in areas where extra lighting is frequently needed.
- Use window coverings that allow you to adjust the level of natural lighting.
- Make sure potentially hazardous areas such as entries and stairways are well lit.
Use contrast
Contrast makes use of your eyes' ability to distinguish objects and their surroundings based on differences in brightness or color, rather than shape or location. If you have low vision, you may need more light to be able to distinguish objects with similar brightness or color (low contrast).
- Place light objects against a dark background or dark objects against a light background. For example, if you have white or light-colored walls, use dark switch plates to mark the location of light switches. You can also use lighted switches that glow softly and are easier to identify.
- You can also use paint in a contrasting color to mark electrical outlets, oven dials, thermostats, and other items so that they are easier to find and use.
- Paint door frames in a contrasting color; if the door is light, paint the frame with a dark color. Use dark doorknobs on light-colored doors.
- In your bathroom, use contrasting color for items such as cups, soap dishes, and even the soap.
Label and mark
- Use high contrast, such as bold black lettering on a white background, when making labels, signs, and other markings. Post signs at eye level.
- Label any medicines you take so that they are easily and clearly identified. Use colored, high-contrast labels to "color code" medicines, spices, foods, and other items.
- Mark the positions of the temperature settings you use most frequently on your stove and oven controls, as well as the "on" and "off" positions. Some appliances are available with extra-large, high-contrast markings and indicators.
- In the kitchen and bathroom, mark the settings for the faucets that provide the right water temperature. To prevent overfilling a sink or bathtub, mark the water level you want with a strip of waterproof tape or a waterproof marker.
- Mark the areas around stairways and ramps with paint or tape, preferably with a high-contrast color such as dark tape on light carpeting.
Avoid potential hazards
- Replace or remove any worn carpeting or floor coverings. If you use throw rugs or area rugs, tape them down or remove them.
- Avoid smooth floor coverings, and do not wax kitchen and bathroom floors. Use nonskid, nonglare cleaners on smooth floors.
- Remove electrical cords from areas where you need to walk. If this is not possible, tape them down so you will not trip over them.
- Arrange your furniture so that it does not stick out into areas where you need to walk. Keep chairs pushed in under tables and desks when not in use. Similarly, keep desk, cabinet, and bureau drawers closed.
- Keep doors either fully opened or fully closed, but not halfway. Keep doors that stick out into a room or hallway closed.
- Make sure the handrails on stairways and ramps extend beyond the top and bottom steps, because people often stumble when they miss a step at the top or bottom of an incline. Consider installing handrails in other potentially hazardous areas.
Low-vision aids
Low-vision aids are special lenses or electronic systems that make images appear larger. They may include:
- Magnifying lenses. These may range from simple handheld lenses for reading to special eyeglasses or magnifiers much like the lenses that jewelers use. Some magnifying lenses have a built-in light for better illumination, and some are mounted on stands so your hands are free. For distance vision, small handheld telescopes or lenses that clip onto your eyeglasses may be used.
- Video enlargement systems. These are electronic systems that include a closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) or video camera that can be used to transmit an enlarged image of print, pictures, or other items onto a screen where it is easier for you to see. These systems can also sometimes adjust brightness and contrast to make the enlarged image easier to see. Some video systems have both the camera and screens built into a head-mounted device that looks like a pair of large goggles, allowing a person to move around while using them.
- Computer display and enlargement systems. Large screens and software that enlarge print, pictures, and other visual information are available. Computers also allow you to alter brightness, contrast, color, and other parts of the display to make it easier to see what is on the screen. Computers are sometimes used with video enlargement systems.
Adaptive technology
Adaptive technology is used in devices or products that may not necessarily help you see better but can make life easier and safer. Many are designed to help you perform common tasks that may be more difficult when you have impaired vision. Examples of adaptive technology include:
- Large-print items. Books, newspapers, magazines, medicine labels, bank checks, and playing cards are often available in large print. Many people with low vision also use recordings of books and other printed materials.
- Special papers and writing aids. These may be something as simple as paper with extra-bold lines that help you write information on checks in the proper spaces.
- Adaptive appliances. These are common household items that have been adapted for use by people with low vision. Examples are clocks and watches with electronic voices that announce the time or clocks, telephones, and calculators with extra-large buttons and numerals that can be seen more easily. Kitchen appliances such as ovens with similar features are also available.
- Speech software for computer systems. Special software allows computers to recognize spoken commands or to convert dictated speech into text. Speech synthesis software allows computers to speak text and read documents.
- Optical character recognition (OCR) software. OCR systems allow you to scan documents and convert them into computer text that can be enlarged for display or read aloud by a speech synthesis program.
Test Your Knowledge
Decide whether the following statement is true or false to see whether you understand how you can adapt and enhance your remaining vision to care for yourself and continue to do the activities you enjoy.
There are many simple changes I can make that will help me take care of myself and do my household chores safely.
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| Author: | Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: April 13, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Steven T. Charles, MD - Ophthalmology | |
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