Vision Impairment and Blindness (Print Version)

MedlinePlus Health Information: A service of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health

Vision Impairment and Blindness

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/visionimpairmentandblindness.html

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

Start Here

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

Overviews

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

Latest News

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

Diagnosis/Symptoms

Do You Have Low Vision?(National Eye Institute) - http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/lowvision/lowvision_quiz.asp
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
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

Prevention/Screening

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

Coping

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

Disease Management

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

Specific Conditions

Common Types of Low Vision(American Optometric Association) - http://www.aoa.org/x5244.xml
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

Related Issues

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
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
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

Pictures & Photographs

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

Tutorials

Low Vision(National Eye Institute) - http://nihseniorhealth.gov/lowvision/toc.html

Anatomy/Physiology

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

Financial Issues

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
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

Clinical Trials

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

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

Research

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

Journal Articles

References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

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

Dictionaries/Glossaries

Low Vision Glossary(National Eye Institute) - http://www.nei.nih.gov/lowvision/content/glossary.asp

Directories

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
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

Organizations

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/

Law and Policy

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

Statistics

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

Children

"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
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
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

Teenagers

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

Seniors

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

You may also be interested in these MedlinePlus related pages:

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/

Date last updated: October 06 2008

Topic last reviewed: August 20 2008