What causes low vision?

Low vision can result from a variety of diseases, disorders, and injuries that affect the eye. Many people with low vision have age-related macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy. Age-related macular degeneration
accounts for almost 45 percent of all cases of low vision.

How many people have low vision?

The number of people with visual impairment is increasing at a disturbing rate. Due to constantly improving medical care, there is an increased survival rate for premature infants, stroke patients and head trauma patients. Also the number of Americans at risk for age-related eye diseases is increasing as the baby-boomer generation ages. These conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, affect more Americans than ever before. The number of Americans with age-related eye disease and the vision impairment that results is expected to double within the next three decades. Visual impairment currently affects 3.3 million Americans over age 40. There will be 5.5 million visually impaired people by 2020.

How do I know if I have low vision?

There are many signs that can signal vision loss. For example, even with your regular glasses, do you have difficulty:

• Recognizing faces of friends and relatives
• Doing things that require you to see well up close, like reading, cooking, sewing, or fixing things around the house?
• Picking out and matching the color of your clothes?
• Doing things at work or home because lights seem dimmer than they used to?
• Reading street and bus signs or the names of stores?

Vision changes like these could be early warning signs of eye disease. Usually, the earlier your problem is diagnosed, the better the chance of successful treatment and keeping your remaining vision.

How do I know when to get an eye exam?

Regular dilated eye exams should be part of your routine health care. However, if you believe your vision has recently changed, you should see your eye care professional as soon as possible.

What should a person do if he or she has low vision?

A person who is having these vision difficulties should immediately make an appointment with an eye care professional for an eye examination. If the person’s vision cannot be treated by conventional methods, such as glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery, then he or she should ask the eye care professional for information about vision rehabilitation. These services may include eye examinations, a low vision evaluation, training on how to use visual and adaptive devices, support groups, and training on how to perform everyday activities in new ways.

Is a low vision examination covered by health insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare?

While costs vary by region, typically a low vision evaluation costs between $100 and $200. Policies vary by state, but generally Medicare will cover low vision examinations performed by eye care professionals. Private health insurance may cover low vision evaluations. Check with your insurance carrier to be sure.