Also called: Also called: Low vision
Vision impairment, or low vision, means that even with eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery, you don't see well. Vision impairment can range from mild to severe. The leading causes of vision impairment and blindness in the United States are age-related eye diseases: macular degeneration, cataract and glaucoma. Other eye disorders, eye injuries and birth defects can also cause vision loss.
A loss of vision means that you may have to reorganize your life and learn new ways of doing things. If you have some vision, visual aids such as special glasses and large print books can make life easier. There are also devices to help those with no vision, like text-reading software and braille books.
Sometimes, vision loss is preventable. Regular comprehensive eye exams and prompt treatment are critical.
National Eye Institute
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Low Vision: What You Should Know(National Eye Institute) - http://www.nei.nih.gov/lowvision/content/know.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/espanol/bajavision/ojobajavision.asp
- Vision Impairment(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/ddvi.htm
- Visual Impairment, Visual Disability and Legal Blindness(American Academy of Ophthalmology) - http://www.medem.com/medlb/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZTPA3ZVIE&sub_cat=0
- Vision Test for Young Children Called Unreliable(10/03/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_70038.html
- Promising Results in Phase 1 Gene Therapy Trial for Blinding Disease(09/23/2008, National Eye Institute) - http://www.nih.gov/news/health/sep2008/nei-23.htm
- Gene-Transfer Proves Safe for Vision Problem(09/12/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_69240.html
- Sleepy Drivers Are Dangerous Drivers(08/30/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68735.html
- More News on Vision Impairment and Blindness http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_v.html#visionimpairmentandblindness
- Do You Have Low Vision?(National Eye Institute) - http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/lowvision/lowvision_quiz.asp
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Eye Disease Simulations(National Eye Institute) - http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/examples/index.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/examples/index_spanish.asp
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Signs of Eye Problems in Adults(Prevent Blindness America) - http://www.preventblindness.org/eye_problems/signsadults.html
Also available in Spanish http://www.preventblindness.org/eye_problems/spanish_signsadults.htm
- Symptoms and Diagnosis of Eye Disorders(Merck & Co., Inc.) - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec20/ch225/ch225a.html
- Vision Impairment(DSHI Systems) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.freemd.com/vision-impairment/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
- Eye Exams: What to Expect(Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology) - http://www.eyecareamerica.org/eyecare/treatment/eye-exams.cfm
- Eye Exams: What to Expect(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/eye-exams/MC00021/METHOD=print
- How Often Should I Have an Eye Exam?(Prevent Blindness America) - http://www.preventblindness.org/eye_tests/near_vision_recom.html
- Helping a Loved One Who Has Vision Loss(National Eye Institute) - http://www.nei.nih.gov/lowvision/content/helping.asp
- Living with Low Vision(American Foundation for the Blind) - http://www.afb.org/section.asp?SectionID=26&TopicID=144
- Living with Low Vision? Take These 10 Steps to Help Keep Your Independence(Prevent Blindness America) - http://www.preventblindness.org/eye_problems/lowvision.html
- Low Vision Devices(American Optometric Association) - http://www.aoa.org/x5247.xml
- Maintaining Quality of Life with Low Vision(American Occupational Therapy Association) - http://www.aota.org/Consumers/Tips/Adults/LowVision/35190.aspx
- Common Types of Low Vision(American Optometric Association) - http://www.aoa.org/x5244.xml
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JAMA Patient Page: Causes of Visual Impairment(American Medical Association) - http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/290/15/2088.pdf
Also available in Spanish http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/data/290/15/2088/DC1/1
- Overview on Deaf-Blindness(National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness) - http://www.dblink.org/lib/overview.htm
- Cell Phone Accessibility for the Visually Impaired(American Foundation for the Blind) - http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=4&TopicID=327
- Checklist for Environmental Safety(American Foundation for the Blind) - http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=26&TopicID=144&DocumentID=191
- Checklist for Your Eye Doctor Appointment(Prevent Blindness America) - http://www.preventblindness.org/eye_problems/doc_checklist.html
- Eye Care Facts and Myths: A Closer Look(American Academy of Ophthalmology) - http://www.medem.com/medlb/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZ8BUZTYIE&sub_cat=0
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Fire Safety for the Visually Impaired(United States Fire Administration) - http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/disability/fswy20.shtm
Also available in Spanish http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/espanol/audiences/disabilities-visimpaired.shtm
- Living with Vision Loss in One Eye(American Academy of Ophthalmology) - http://www.medem.com/medlb/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZC908WUIE&sub_cat=0
- Tips for Computer Users with Low Vision(American Foundation for the Blind) - http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=4&DocumentID=1452
- Tips for Runners with Visual Impairments(American Foundation for the Blind) - http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=40&TopicID=219&DocumentID=2805
- Visual Acuity: What Is 20/20 Vision?(American Optometric Association) - http://www.aoa.org/x4695.xml
- Web Accessibility for the Visually Impaired(American Foundation for the Blind) - http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=4&TopicID=167
- What Is Braille?(American Foundation for the Blind) - http://www.afb.org/section.asp?SectionID=6&TopicID=199
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What Is Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS)?(Federal Communications Commission) - http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/dtffaq.html
Also available in Spanish http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/spanish/sp_trs.html
- Eye Examinations(National Eye Institute) - http://www.nei.nih.gov/photo/keyword.asp?conditions=Eye+Exams
- Impairments to Vision(National Weather Service) - http://www.nws.noaa.gov/sec508/htm/blindness.htm
- Low Vision Devices(National Eye Institute) - http://www.nei.nih.gov/photo/keyword.asp?conditions=Low+Vision+Devices
- Low Vision Simulations(National Weather Service) - http://www.nws.noaa.gov/sec508/htm/low_vision.htm
- Low Vision(National Eye Institute) - http://nihseniorhealth.gov/lowvision/toc.html
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Diagram of the Eye(National Eye Institute) - http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/eyediagram/
Also available in Spanish http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/espanol/diagrama_ojo.asp
- Normal Eye Anatomy(National Eye Institute) - http://www.nei.nih.gov/photo/keyword.asp?conditions=Normal+Eye+Images
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Financial Aid for Eye Care(National Eye Institute) - http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/financialaid.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/espanol/financialaid_sp.asp
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Social Security: If You Are Blind Or Have Low Vision - How We Can Help(Social Security Administration) - http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10052.html
Also available in Spanish http://www.ssa.gov/espanol/10952.html
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Blindness(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Blindness%22
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Vision Disorders(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Vision+Disorders%22
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Vision, Low(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Vision,+Low%22
- Clinical Trials in Vision Research(National Eye Institute) - http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/clinicaltrials_facts/
- Genetics Home Reference: Alström syndrome(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=alstromsyndrome
- Genetics Home Reference: Choroideremia(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=choroideremia
- Genetics Home Reference: Deafness-dystonia-optic neuronopathy syndrome(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=deafnessdystoniaopticneuronopathysyndrome
- Genetics Home Reference: Leber hereditary optic neuropathy(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=leberhereditaryopticneuropathy
- Genetics Home Reference: Ocular albinism(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=ocularalbinism
- Progress in Eye and Vision Research: 1999-2006(National Eye Institute) - Large PDF file - http://www.nei.nih.gov/strategicplanning/NEI_ProgressDoc.pdf
- Vision Problems Make It Difficult to Take Medications Properly(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging) - http://www.healthinaging.org/agingintheknow/research_content.asp?id=8
- Article: Evaluating participation in insurance plans. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18714475&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Nursing home optometry: improving the quality of life. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18711847&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Canadian Glaucoma Study: 2. risk factors for the progression of... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18695095&tool=MedlinePlus
- Vision Impairment and Blindness -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(vision+disorders[majr]+OR+visually+impaired+persons[majr])+NOT+(blindness[mh]+OR+amblyopia[mh]+OR+color+vision+defects[mh]+OR+myopia[mh]+OR+astigmatism[mh]+OR+hyperopia[mh]+OR+vision,low[mh])+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(jsubsetk[text]+OR+review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Blindness -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=blindness[majr]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Low vision -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=low+vision[majr]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]+NOT(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Low Vision Glossary(National Eye Institute) - http://www.nei.nih.gov/lowvision/content/glossary.asp
- Dog Guide Schools in the United States(American Foundation for the Blind) - http://www.afb.org/section.asp?Documentid=1266
- Eye Health Organizations Database(National Eye Institute) - http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/resourceSearch.asp
- Find a Pediatric Ophthalmologist(American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus) - http://aapos.affiniscape.com/associations/5371/aapos_search.cfm
- Find an Eye M.D.(American Academy of Ophthalmology) - http://www.aao.org/aao/eyemd_disclaimer.cfm
- Find Services for People with Vision Loss(American Foundation for the Blind) - http://www.afb.org/services.asp
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Finding an Eye Care Professional(National Eye Institute) - http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/findprofessional.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/espanol/findpro_sp.asp
- Resources and Information for Parents about Braille(American Foundation for the Blind) - http://www.afb.org/section.asp?SectionID=6&TopicID=97&DocumentID=1252
- State Libraries for Persons with Print Disabilities(American Foundation for the Blind) - http://www.afb.org/section.asp?Documentid=787
- American Foundation for the Blind - http://www.afb.org/
- Foundation Fighting Blindness - http://www.blindness.org/
- National Eye Institute - http://www.nei.nih.gov/
- Prevent Blindness America - http://www.preventblindness.org/
- Consuming Interest: A Guide to Titles II and III of the ADA for People with Vision Loss(American Foundation for the Blind) - http://www.afb.org/section.asp?SectionID=3&TopicID=32&DocumentID=525
- Know Your Employment Rights: State Vocational Rehabilitation Services(American Foundation for the Blind) - http://www.afb.org/section.asp?Documentid=910
- Blindness Statistics(American Foundation for the Blind) - http://www.afb.org/section.asp?SectionID=15
- Disability Characteristics(Bureau of the Census) - http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/STTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-qr_name=ACS_2007_1YR_G00_S1801&-ds_name=ACS_2007_1YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false
- "Vision Impairment" Quest(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/kids/kblindpage.htm
- Blindness(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/sight/visual_impaired.html
- Early Interactions with Children Who Are Deaf-Blind(National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness) - http://www.dblink.org/lib/early.htm
- Let's Play: A Guide to Toys for Children with Special Needs(American Foundation for the Blind) - http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=62
- What Is a Pediatric Ophthalmologist?(American Academy of Pediatrics) - Links to PDF - http://www.aap.org/sections/he3006.pdf
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Your Child's Vision(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/eyes/vision.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/general/vision_esp.html
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Your Eyes(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/eyes.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/kid/en_espanol/cuerpo/eye_esp.html
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Visual Impairment(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/sight/visual_impairment.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/cuerpo/visual_impairment_esp.html
- Common Causes of Vision Impairment(American Foundation for the Blind) - http://www.afb.org/seniorsite.asp?SectionID=63&TopicID=286
- Low Vision(National Eye Institute) - http://nihseniorhealth.gov/lowvision/toc.html
- Saving Your Sight--Early Detection Is Critical(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2002/202_eyes.html
- Cataract - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cataract.html
- Diabetic Eye Problems - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diabeticeyeproblems.html
- Eye Diseases - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/eyediseases.html
- Eye Injuries - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/eyeinjuries.html
- Glaucoma - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/glaucoma.html
- Macular Degeneration - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/maculardegeneration.html
- Retinal Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/retinaldisorders.html
- Eyes and Vision - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/eyesandvision.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Vision Impairment and Blindness is the National Eye Institute - http://www.nei.nih.gov/