Vision Loss

Vision loss includes a range of conditions—from low vision to blindness—that make everyday activities harder. 

Overview

Vision loss affects millions of people and can result from many eye diseases and conditions. Each year, millions of people experience vision problems. Some of these problems cause permanent vision loss or blindness.

Low vision is uncorrectable vision loss that makes everyday tasks hard to do, even with regular eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery. People with low vision may have trouble reading, navigating, shopping, cooking, writing, or watching TV.

Vision loss is not a normal part of aging. However, the risk of eye diseases and vision loss increases with age. 

When surgery cannot improve vision, vision rehabilitation can help people adapt. It can also help them stay independent and maintain their quality of life.

Related Terms: Vision loss is known by several related terms, including low vision, visual impairment, and blindness.

Signs and Symptoms

Even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, you may have low vision if you have difficulty with:

  • Recognizing familiar faces
  • Reading, cooking, sewing, or fixing things around the house
  • Picking out and matching the color of your clothes
  • Reading street signs or the names of stores
  • Seeing clearly even with the lights on
  • Getting around your neighborhood

The consequences of vision loss may leave people feeling anxious, helpless, and depressed. Even small changes in sight can increase the risk of falls and injuries.

Causes and Risk Factors

Many eye diseases and conditions, if left untreated, can lead to low vision or blindness. These conditions include:

Age Is a Major Risk Factor for Vision Loss

Low vision is more common in older adults because many of the diseases that cause it are more common with age. Irreversible vision loss occurs most often in people age 65 and older. Aging alone does not cause low vision.

In younger people, vision loss most often results from inherited eye conditions, infectious or autoimmune eye diseases, diabetes, or injuries to the eye.

Prevention Guidance

The best thing you can do to prevent vision loss from eye diseases is to get a dilated eye exam.

Healthy Lifestyle Choices

You can take steps to protect your vision:

  • Stop smoking.
  • Eat healthy foods, including green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and collard greens, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, tuna, and halibut.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.
  • Manage diabetes if you have it.
  • Wear protective eyewear when you work around your home or play sports.

Diagnosis

Many people do not notice symptoms in the early stages of eye disease. A dilated eye exam is the only way to find eye diseases early — before they cause vision loss and when treatment works best.

If you notice any changes in your vision, see your eye care provider as soon as possible.

Only an eye care provider can diagnose low vision. They may refer you to a low vision specialist for a full assessment. The specialist will measure your vision loss and identify options for vision rehabilitation.

The low vision specialist will assess:

  • Your overall health and eye health history
  • How your vision affects daily activities
  • Your visual acuity and other aspects of eye function
  • Starting low vision rehabilitation early can help you get the most benefit.

Treatment and Management

Treating the underlying eye condition that causes vision loss is important. Eyeglasses, medicine, and surgery cannot cure low vision, but they may improve vision, help with daily activities, or prevent vision from getting worse.

Low Vision Devices

People with low vision may be able to use a range of devices, and many people use more than one. Examples include:

  • Eyeglasses with high-powered lenses
  • Telescopic lenses to help see objects far away
  • Handheld magnifiers
  • Special computer software and mobile phone apps
  • Non-optical aids, such as talking watches

Vision Rehabilitation

Vision rehabilitation helps people adapt to vision loss and maintain their lifestyle.

These programs offer a range of services, including:

  • Training on how to use magnifiers and other assistive devices
  • Ways to complete daily tasks safely and independently
  • Guidance on how to make changes in the home
  • Information about resources and support services

A team of trained professionals provides vision rehabilitation services. This team may include occupational therapists, orientation and mobility instructors, low vision therapists, rehabilitation teachers, and assistive technology specialists. They work together to teach skills such as using magnifiers and other devices, moving safely at home and in the community, and doing daily activities.

People can receive vision rehabilitation services in different settings. These include eye care offices that specialize in low vision, hospital clinics, state or nonprofit programs, and independent living centers.

If your vision loss is mild, small changes may help you see better:

  • Use brighter lighting at home or work.
  • Wear anti-glare sunglasses.
  • Use a magnifier for reading and other close-up tasks.
  • Adjust your phone or computer settings to increase contrast, enlarge text, or use text-to-speech.
  • Additional tips for home include:
  • Place colored tape on the edges of stairs to help prevent falls.
  • Install dark-colored light switches and outlets so they stand out on light-colored walls.
  • Use motion-sensor lights that turn on when you enter a room.
  • Add large-print labels to appliances like the microwave and stove.

Living With Low Vision

Build Your Support Team

Build a support team to help you manage vision loss. This team should include you, your primary eye care provider, and an optometrist or ophthalmologist who specializes in low vision. Occupational therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, certified low vision therapists, counselors, and social workers can also help.

Ask family and friends for support. Work closely with your eye care provider and low vision specialist to find the best options for you.

Find Clinical Trials

Clinical trials uncover better ways to prevent, diagnose, treat, and understand diseases and conditions. To ensure results apply to everyone, volunteers of all ages, sexes, and backgrounds, including both healthy individuals and those with specific medical conditions, are needed. Find clinical trials on vision loss.

Find Treatment

Talk with your eye care provider to find a low vision specialist. Your provider may refer you to local services and resources.

You can also find services through:

  • Eye care offices that specialize in low vision
  • Hospital clinics
  • State, nonprofit, or private vision rehabilitation programs
  • Independent living centers
  • State or local agencies for people who are blind or have vision loss

Questions to Ask Your Eye Care Provider

When you visit your eye care provider, consider asking:

  • What changes can I expect in my vision?
  • Will my vision loss get worse? How much vision might I lose?
  • Can eyeglasses improve my vision?
  • What medical or surgical treatments are available?
  • What can I do to protect or preserve my vision?
  • Can diet, exercise, or lifestyle changes help?
  • If my vision cannot be corrected, can you refer me to a low vision specialist?
  • Where can I find vision rehabilitation services?

Community Support

Several organizations offer support, information, and resources for people with vision loss and their families:

Note: This resource list is for informational purposes only. It is not comprehensive, and an organization’s inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by NIH. 

Research Information

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world. NIH invests most of its budget in medical research seeking to enhance life and to reduce illness and disability. NIH-funded research has led to breakthroughs and new treatments helping people live longer, healthier lives, and building the research foundation that drives discovery.

NIH supports research on vision loss. Research shows that millions of Americans have low vision, and that these numbers are increasing as our population ages.

NIH-funded researchers study how the brain adapts to vision loss, develop ways to improve vision rehabilitation, and create new technologies. These technologies can help people with low vision read, shop, and move safely in unfamiliar places.

Find NIH-funded research projects using NIH RePORTER, a searchable database of current and past research projects supported by NIH and other federal agencies.