Low Vision

Low vision refers to patients who have impaired vision that cannot be fully corrected with conventional glasses or contact lenses. Unlike blindness, low vision patients have some useful sight, but impairments interfere with the performance of daily activities such as reading or driving.

Most people develop low vision because of eye diseases, including macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. When vision impairment is detected early, treatment can be more effective. Symptoms of low vision include:

• Difficulty recognizing objects at a distance
• Difficulty differentiating colors
• Difficulty seeing well close up