Low Vision Aids
Low Vision
Nandadeep offers specialized services for individuals suffering from low vision, Low vision is a term that describes a loss of vision that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, surgery, or medication. Low vision can affect your ability to perform everyday activities, such as reading, writing, cooking, or driving. Low vision can also affect your emotional well-being, as you may feel frustrated, isolated, or depressed.
What are the causes of low vision?
Low vision can result from various eye diseases or injuries, such as:
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
This is a condition that damages the central part of the retina, which is responsible for sharp and detailed vision. AMD is the leading cause of low vision among older adults.
Glaucoma
This is a condition that increases the pressure inside the eye, which can damage the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma can cause blind spots, tunnel vision, or total blindness if left untreated.
Cataract
This is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which can make your vision blurry, dull, or hazy. Cataracts can be removed by surgery, but some people may still have low vision after the procedure.
Diabetic retinopathy
This is a complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels in the retina, which can leak fluid or bleed, causing vision loss or distortion.
Other causes
Low vision can also be caused by other eye conditions, such as corneal diseases, retinal detachment, optic neuritis, stroke, brain injury, albinism, or inherited disorders.
Indications of Low Vision
- Blurred or Distorted Vision: Objects appear unclear or distorted, affecting visual acuity.
- Reduced Visual Acuity: Difficulty seeing clearly, even with corrective lenses.
- Difficulty Reading: Challenges in reading text, whether it’s printed material or on screens.
- Trouble Recognizing Faces: Identifying people becomes problematic due to impaired vision.
- Loss of Peripheral Vision: Reduced ability to see objects in the side vision.
- Increased Sensitivity to Light and Glare: Bright light or glare causes discomfort and affects vision.
- Impaired Color Vision: Difficulty distinguishing colors accurately.
World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for classifying visual impairment
| CATEGORY OF VI | CORRECTED VA (Better Eye) | DEGREE OF VI |
|---|---|---|
|
0 |
6/6-6/18 |
Normal
|
|
1 |
less than 6/18 – 6/60 |
Moderate Visual Impairment |
|
2 |
less than 6/60 – 3/60 |
Severe Visual Impairment
|
|
3 |
less than 3/60 – 1/60 |
Blind |
|
4 |
less than 1/60 – PLα |
Blind |
|
5 |
NPLβ |
Blind |
How is low vision diagnosed?
Low vision is diagnosed by an eye doctor or an optometrist, who will perform a comprehensive eye exam and ask you about your medical history, symptoms, and daily activities. The eye doctor will measure your visual acuity, which is how well you can see letters or numbers on a chart, and your visual field, which is how much you can see around you. The eye doctor may also use special devices or tests to assess your contrast sensitivity, colour vision, depth perception, and ability to adapt to different lighting conditions.
How is low vision treated?
Low vision cannot be cured, but it can be managed with various strategies and devices that can help you make the most of your remaining vision. Some of the options include:
- Low vision aids: These are devices that can magnify, illuminate, or enhance images, such as magnifying glasses, reading lamps, large-print books, electronic magnifiers, or video magnifiers.
- Assistive technologyThese are devices that can convert text to speech, such as smartphones, tablets, computers, or screen readers.
- Orientation and mobility training This is a service that can teach you how to use a cane, a guide dog, or other tools to navigate safely and independently in your environment.
- Vision rehabilitation: This is a service that can provide you with counselling, education, and support to cope with the emotional and social aspects of low vision and to learn new skills and strategies to perform daily tasks.
Visual Impairment Certification Criteria and Gradation
| Category | Visual Acuity (Worse Eye) | Visual Acuity (Better Eye) | Percentage Impairment | Disability Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Normal Vision |
≥ 20/20 |
≥ 20/20 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Mild Visual Impairment |
<20/20 to 20/60 |
≥ 20/20 |
< 40% |
I |
|
Moderate Visual Impairment |
< 20/60 to 20/200 |
≥ 20/60 to 20/100 |
40% – 60% |
II |
|
Severe Visual Impairment |
< 20/200 to 20/400 |
≥ 20/100 to 20/200 |
60% – 80% |
III |
|
Profound Visual Impairment |
< 20/400 to 20/1,000 |
< 20/400 to 20/1,000 |
80% – 100% |
IV |
|
Near-Total Visual Impairment |
< 20/1,000 |
≥ 20/400 to light perception |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Total Blindness |
No light perception |
No light perception |
N/A |
N/A |
A minimum degree of disability of 40% is required to be eligible for any concessions or benefits. The certification process involves a medical board constituted by the Central or State Government, which assesses the individual’s visual condition based on specified tests.
Various low vision aids
Optical aids for near tasks (Hand held magnifier, dome magnifier, spectacle magnifier, stand magnifier)
Optical aids for distant tasks (Hand held Telescopes, Mounted Telescopes, SeeTV)
Electronic Magnifiers (CCTV, Portable magnifier, Mouse Magnifier)
How can Nandadeep Eye Hospital help you?
Nandadeep Eye Hospital offers a range of services for low vision patients, such as:
Frequently Asked Question
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Cataracts
- Diabetic retinopathy (a condition that can cause vision loss in people with diabetes)
- Glaucoma
- Difficulty in Reading, Drive, Recognize people’s faces
- Difficulty in telling colors apart, and can not See television or computer screen clearly
- Excessive glare
- Not able to recognise peripheral objects
- Bumping of bojects
- Hand magnifier/pocket
- Spectacle magnifier
- Stand magnifier
- Bar and dome magnifier
- Monocular telescope and bioptic telescope
- Video magnifier
Our Low Vision Specialist
Optom Sayan Mukherjee
B.Optom., M. Optom. Consultant Optometrist, Vision Therapy, Speciality Contact lens
GET CONSULTED WITH OUR EYE SPECIALIST TODAY
Book Your Appointment Effortlessly.
GET CONSULTED WITH OUR EYE SPECIALIST TODAY
Book Your Appointment Effortlessly.