Low vision is more than just poor eyesight; it’s a significant visual impairment that can’t be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery. There are many different types of low vision and different eye diseases that can affect vision. In Texas alone, over 650,000 people reported vision difficulty in 2019. With the number growing every year, it becomes increasingly important to be aware of your eye health.
Types of Low Vision
Low vision can manifest in different ways, affecting a person’s visual function. Understanding the types can help in providing appropriate support and accommodations. Here are some common types of low vision, according to the National Eye Institute:
Peripheral vision loss: Also known as “tunnel vision,” this type affects the outer edges of the visual field.
Night blindness: This condition makes seeing in low light conditions difficult. It can be particularly challenging to navigate and drive at night.
Blurry or hazy vision: This low vision involves overall blurriness or haziness across the visual field. Cataracts often cause this type of vision impairment.
Central Vision Loss: This occurs when there is damage to the macula, affecting the center of the vision field. People with central vision loss may have difficulty reading, recognizing faces, or seeing fine details. Age-related macular degeneration is a common cause of central vision loss.
Common Causes of Low Vision
According to the CDC, the leading causes of blindness and low vision in the United States are primarily age-related eye diseases. These include:
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD): AMD results in damaged sharp and central vision, which is needed to see things clearly. There are two forms:
Cataracts: A clouding of the eye’s lens, leading to vision loss. It’s the leading cause of blindness worldwide and vision loss in the U.S. This can happen at any age and can even be present at birth.
Diabetic Retinopathy (DR): DR is the leading cause of blindness in American adults. It is a complication of diabetes that damages blood vessels in the retina. It progresses through four stages and can affect both eyes:
Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damages the optic nerve, often related to increased eye pressure. However, it can even occur with normal eye pressure and is often called the “sneak thief of sight” due to people not noticing their vision loss until the disease is very advanced.
Amblyopia: Also known as “lazy eye,” amblyopia is when the eye and brain do not work together properly, resulting in the brain “favoring” one eye over the other. This is the most common cause of vision impairment in children, and affects 2%-3% of the population.
Strabismus: Caused by an imbalance of eye positioning and lack of coordination between the eyes, strabismus can cause the eyes to either cross or turn out.
Support Services in Texas
Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) offers several programs to support individuals with visual impairments:
Blind Children’s Vocational Discovery and Development Program: Provides individualized family service plans for children with visual impairments.
Blindness Education, Screening and Treatment Program: Offers blindness education, vision screenings, and urgent eye medical treatment services.
Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) Program: Provides home and community-based services for individuals with deafblindness and another disability.
Independent Living Services: Helps people with significant disabilities maximize their independence and integration into society.
Additionally, the Texas Workforce Commission offers services such as:
- Business Enterprises of Texas
- Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center
- Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind Program
- Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Resources
The Texas Talking Book Program provides free library services for Texans with visual, physical, or reading disabilities, offering books and magazines in digital audio, Braille, and large print formats.
At The Lighthouse of Houston, we’re here to support you on your journey with low vision. Whether you need information, resources, or assistance with daily living skills, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our Low Vision Clinic will assist you through every step of your journey.
Remember, early detection and treatment can often prevent or slow the progression of many eye conditions. Regular eye check-ups are crucial for maintaining your eye health and overall quality of life.
For more resources, please check out these sites:
https://www.cdc.gov/vision-health/about-eye-disorders/index.html
https://www.afb.org/research-and-initiatives/statistics/state-specific-stats/texas
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/blind-visually-impaired
https://houstonlighthouse.org/health-services/
To learn more about our Low Vision Clinic, check out this video:
