Loss of vision affects your daily activities and lifestyle in various ways. Macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract and retinitis pigmentosa are the most common eye conditions in Canada.
These conditions will significantly affect your reading and writing abilities as well as your movements. Together, let’s evaluate your needs and look for the visual aid that will best help you deal with your condition.
Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration is characterized by a deterioration of the macula, a small area of the retina located at the back of the eye, near the optic nerve. It is this portion of the retina that provides the best visual acuity. Macular degeneration causes a progressive and sometimes significant loss of central vision, which becomes increasingly blurry. As a result, it becomes difficult for affected people to read, write, recognize faces and perform daily tasks. Moreover, they must use caution when travelling since they will find it difficult to detect obstacles. Generally speaking, the use of an appropriate correcting lens, a regular or video magnifier or a large print software will help them better read and write. While travelling, however, they might need a white folding cane.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a progressive eye condition in which optic nerve cells are damaged by the excessive pressure of the fluid within the eyeball. Untreated glaucoma may lead to blindness. Several causes can lead to glaucoma, such as diabetes and heredity. Those suffering from glaucoma will experience a loss of peripheral and night vision. In many cases, they will become sensitive to light and to some indoor lighting levels. It is also worth noting that sudden lighting changes will make their moves more difficult. In general, the use of an appropriate correcting lens, a lighted magnifier, an auxiliary lamp, a video magnifier or a large print or screen capture software will help them better read and write. While travelling, however, they might need a white folding cane.
Cataract
A cataract is an eye condition that occurs when the lens, a small, oval-shaped structure located behind the eyelid, becomes less transparent. The cataract usually develops in later life. In some cases, it can be a congenital condition. People with a cataract will experience a blurry, cloudy vision which however can be improved with a correcting lens. They will also have to deal with glare and sensitivity to light, and in some instances, they will find it hard to differentiate colours. Generally speaking, the use of an appropriate correcting lens, a regular or video magnifier or a large print software will help them better read and write.
Retinis pigmentosa
Retinis pigmentosa is an inherited, degenerative eye disease characterized by a gradual loss of vision and visual field. It evolves differently from one person to another and it may lead to blindness. Those affected by the disease will experience problems travelling at night or in poorly-lit places. The loss of visual field causes a tunnel vision, meaning that affected people will only be able to see what is in their visual field, which can sometimes be limited to the diameter of a drinking straw. Unfortunately, the disease will ultimately lead to a permanent loss of vision, in which case affected people will need to use sound and braille tools when reading and writing. In general, for people with some vision, the use of an appropriate correcting lens, a magnifier, an auxiliary lamp, a reverse-polarity video magnifier or a large print or screen capture software will help them better read and write. While travelling, however, they might need a white folding cane.
Contact us now!
Together, let’s evaluate your needs and look for the visual aid that will best help you deal with your condition.