Vision loss: types, how to cope and organize your life

Joeroot Wednesday, May 1, 2024 Content Leave a comment

Losing your vision can change your life dramatically. Daily activities may be difficult or impossible at first. However, treatment and advice can help people live independently and adapt to life with a visual impairment. Many people don’t need to give up activities that they enjoy.

Vitamin-mineral complexes are useful and they may be needed to help the organs of our body perform their functions well. If the body is deficient in vitamins A, C or E it can lead to retinal diseases, decreased visual acuity and a deterioration in twilight vision.

There are many types of vision impairment and each has different effects on a person’s ability to see and their mobility. Sometimes vision loss can be prevented. Some eye conditions can be hereditary or develop independently as people age. Approximately six percent of people with visual impairments are completely blind.

Types of vision loss

The main causes and consequences of visual impairment include:

age-related macular degeneration – the cause is the distortion or loss of central vision in older adults leading to difficulty with activities such as reading and recognizing faces.
diabetic retinopathy – symptoms include blurry and spotty vision. The main cause is diabetes.
glaucoma which causes tunnel vision and affects mobility and driving.
cataracts which causes blurred vision and increased sensitivity to glare, but can be corrected with surgery.
refractive error – types of refractive errors include far-sightedness, near-sightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. Refractive error can be corrected with glasses.
vision loss in children – there are many diseases, defects, malformations, infections and disorders that can affect the visual system in infants. Vision is an important way for children to learn. Visual impairment can affect the development of body control, use of hands and tongue and social behaviour.

How to make things more noticeable?

There are many types of visual impairment and each has a different impact on a person’s ability to see, their safety when walking and their mobility. However, there are things you can do to maintain your independence and quality of life. The following suggestions can be used for a wide range of activities:

1. Enlarge

Magnification can help you see better. For this:

use personal diaries and phone books with large print.
use the copier to enlarge recipes, music scores and other information.
move closer to the object you are looking at (for example, a television).
increase the font size on your computer screen.
upgrade your prescription glasses for best vision.
use hand-held or mounted magnifiers to make reading and sewing easier.
use phones with large buttons.

2. Change contrast

Altered contrast can help you see things more clearly. Black on white or white on black has the best contrast. Examples of ways to use contrast to help with everyday activities include:

water-based black markers.
placing contrasting stripes along the edges of steps and cabinets. Dark surfaces should have a light shade such as white or yellow.
pouring dark liquids into white cups and light liquid into dark cups.
painting the interior surfaces of cabinets white to maximize brightness and contrast, making items easier to find.
using simple dark tablecloths or mats with white dinnerware.
using better lighting to improve visibility.
improving both general and focal lighting can make objects and printed materials easier to view.

Using other senses with vision loss

Ways to use other senses to complement your vision:

Sensory senses – apply tactile markings to appliances such as stoves and washing machines to indicate on/off buttons and other settings.
hearing – use speaking and sound devices such as clocks and kitchen scales.
taste – use your sense of taste to distinguish between different foods, herbs and spices.
smell – you can check the freshness of fruits, vegetables or other foods and check whether food is cooked or burnt.

It may take time to learn to trust your feelings. Give yourself time to practice and build confidence in new ways of doing things.

Loss of vision and organization

Being organized will make your life easier. Some tips include:

eliminating unnecessary clutter around your home.
keeping items in their place.
giving yourself extra time to get your bearings and navigate unfamiliar areas.