To keep doing the things you enjoy, you will want to make a few changes to your lifestyle. The changes you need to make depend on how much Vision you have lost, what kinds of activities you like to do, and your lifestyle. Making changes may seem difficult and time-consuming. Be patient. You can maintain your independence and continue the activities you enjoy.

What do I do first?
Why is it important to be able to adapt to my vision?
How can I adapt to my poor eyesight?
Where to get more information

More information about vision problems can be found in these topics:

* Glaucoma
* Cataracts
* Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Return to topic:

Diabetic Retinopathy
What do I do first?

Find your vision strengths. Adapting your lifestyle to poor eyesight is sometimes challenging and can involve changes in the way you do the activities you enjoy. However, if you use your vision strengths, you can continue to do most—if not all—of your usual activities.

Find your vision strengths.Contact your local or state organization for the visually impaired for a low-vision evaluation to determine the limitations of your eyesight and what changes might help you take advantage of your strengths. A low-vision specialist can help you train your eyes to look around your blind spots. For example, if you have lost central vision, you can train your eyes to look at objects from your outer vision areas.

There are also many vision aids that are specially made for people who have poor eyesight, such as magnifiers that enlarge printed materials and special papers with bold lines for writing checks. A good low-vision evaluation can help you determine which vision aids would be most helpful for you.
Test Your Knowledge

1. Having a low-vision evaluation will help identify my vision strengths.
1. True
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The answer is correct

A low-vision evaluation can help identify your vision strengths.
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2. False
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The answer is incorrect

A low-vision evaluation can help identify your vision strengths.
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Continue to Why is it important to be able to adapt to my vision?
Return to Vision problems: Living with poor eyesight
Why is it important to be able to adapt to my vision?

Poor eyesight should not prevent you from having a full and active life. By adapting to your poor eyesight, you can continue to work, live independently, and do the leisure and recreational activities that you enjoy. The more vision adaptations and enhancing skills you learn and use, the more independent and active you can be.
Test Your Knowledge

1. If I enhance my remaining vision, I will be less dependent on other people.
1. True
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The answer is correct

If you enhance your remaining vision, you will be less dependent on other people. Poor eyesight should not prevent you from having a full and active life. By adapting to your poor eyesight and enhancing it as much as possible, you can continue to work, live independently, and do the leisure and recreational activities that you enjoy.
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2. False
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The answer is incorrect

If you enhance your remaining vision, you will be less dependent on other people. Poor eyesight should not prevent you from having a full and active life. By adapting to your poor eyesight and enhancing it as much as possible, you can continue to work, live independently, and do the leisure and recreational activities that you enjoy.
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Continue to How can I adapt to my poor eyesight?
Return to Vision problems: Living with poor eyesight
How can I adapt to my poor eyesight?

Some simple changes can help you use your remaining vision to its full potential and allow you to live as independently as possible. The keys to success are as follows.
Make simple changes

* Make a list of things you have trouble doing. Use the checklist for identifying low-vision aids for daily activities Click here to view a form. (What is a PDF document?) .
* Make simple accommodations at home that will help you manage your household chores and care for your personal needs.
* Use low-vision aids and adaptive technology, such as lenses and other devices, to enhance your remaining vision.

These are a few ideas on how to make living with low vision easier and safer. Low-vision rehabilitation specialists can provide you with detailed information and training on managing your household and other activities that can be more challenging when you have reduced vision.
Use lighting

* Position lighting so that it is aimed at what you want to see, and away from your eyes.
* Add table and floor lamps in areas where extra lighting is frequently needed.
* Use window coverings that allow you to adjust the level of natural lighting.
* Make sure potentially hazardous areas such as entries and stairways are well lit.

Use contrast

Contrast makes use of your eyes’ ability to distinguish objects and their surroundings based on differences in brightness or color, rather than shape or location. If you have low vision, you may need more light to be able to distinguish objects with similar brightness or color (low contrast).

* Place light objects against a dark background or dark objects against a light background. For example, if you have white or light-colored walls, use dark switch plates to mark the location of light switches. You can also use lighted switches that glow softly and are easier to identify.
* You can also use paint in a contrasting color to mark electrical outlets, oven dials, thermostats, and other items so that they are easier to find and use.
* Paint door frames in a contrasting color; if the door is light, paint the frame with a dark color. Use dark doorknobs on light-colored doors.
* In your bathroom, use contrasting color for items such as cups, soap dishes, and even the soap.

Label and mark

* Use high contrast, such as bold black lettering on a white background, when making labels, signs, and other markings. Post signs at eye level.
* Label any medicines you take so that they are easily and clearly identified. Use colored, high-contrast labels to “color code” medicines, spices, foods, and other items.
* Mark the positions of the temperature settings you use most frequently on your stove and oven controls, as well as the “on” and “off” positions. Some appliances are available with extra-large, high-contrast markings and indicators.
* In the kitchen and bathroom, mark the settings for the faucets that provide the right water temperature. To prevent overfilling a sink or bathtub, mark the water level you want with a strip of waterproof tape or a waterproof marker.
* Mark the areas around stairways and ramps with paint or tape, preferably with a high-contrast color such as dark tape on light carpeting.

Avoid potential hazards

* Replace or remove any worn carpeting or floor coverings. If you use throw rugs or area rugs, tape them down or remove them.
* Avoid smooth floor coverings, and do not wax kitchen and bathroom floors. Use nonskid, nonglare cleaners on smooth floors.
* Remove electrical cords from areas where you need to walk. If this is not possible, tape them down so you will not trip over them.
* Arrange your furniture so that it does not stick out into areas where you need to walk. Keep chairs pushed in under tables and desks when not in use. Similarly, keep desk, cabinet, and bureau drawers closed.
* Keep doors either fully opened or fully closed, but not halfway. Keep doors that stick out into a room or hallway closed.
* Make sure the handrails on stairways and ramps extend beyond the top and bottom steps, because people often stumble when they miss a step at the top or bottom of an incline. Consider installing handrails in other potentially hazardous areas.

Low-vision aids

Low-vision aids are special lenses or electronic systems that make images appear larger. They may include:

* Magnifying lenses. These may range from simple handheld lenses for reading to special eyeglasses or magnifiers much like the lenses that jewelers use. Some magnifying lenses have a built-in light for better illumination, and some are mounted on stands so your hands are free. For distance vision, small handheld telescopes or lenses that clip onto your eyeglasses may be used.
* Video enlargement systems. These are electronic systems that include a closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) or video camera that can be used to transmit an enlarged image of print, pictures, or other items onto a screen where it is easier for you to see. These systems can also sometimes adjust brightness and contrast to make the enlarged image easier to see. Some video systems have both the camera and screens built into a head-mounted device that looks like a pair of large goggles, allowing a person to move around while using them.
* Computer display and enlargement systems. Large screens and software that enlarge print, pictures, and other visual information are available. Computers also allow you to alter brightness, contrast, color, and other parts of the display to make it easier to see what is on the screen. Computers are sometimes used with video enlargement systems.

Adaptive technology

Adaptive technology is used in devices or products that may not necessarily help you see better but can make life easier and safer. Many are designed to help you perform common tasks that may be more difficult when you have impaired vision. Examples of adaptive technology include:

* Large-print items. Books, newspapers, magazines, medicine labels, bank checks, and playing cards are often available in large print. Many people with low vision also use recordings of books and other printed materials.
* Special papers and writing aids. These may be something as simple as paper with extra-bold lines that help you write information on checks in the proper spaces.
* Adaptive appliances. These are common household items that have been adapted for use by people with low vision. Examples are clocks and watches with electronic voices that announce the time or clocks, telephones, and calculators with extra-large buttons and numerals that can be seen more easily. Kitchen appliances such as ovens with similar features are also available.
* Speech software for computer systems. Special software allows computers to recognize spoken commands or to convert dictated speech into text. Speech synthesis software allows computers to speak text and read documents.
* Optical character recognition (OCR) software. OCR systems allow you to scan documents and convert them into computer text that can be enlarged for display or read aloud by a speech synthesis program.

Test Your Knowledge

1. There are many simple changes I can make that will help me take care of myself and do my household chores safely.
1. True
close

The answer is correct

There are many simple changes you can make that will help you take care of yourself and do your household chores safely. For example, use dark switch plates for your light controls and mark the water level for your bathtub and sink.
close
2. False
close

The answer is incorrect

There are many simple changes you can make that will help you take care of yourself and do your household chores safely. For example, use dark switch plates for your light controls and mark the water level for your bathtub and sink.
close

Continue to Where to get more information
Return to Vision problems: Living with poor eyesight
Where to get more information

Now that you have read this information, you are ready to find ways to enhance your eyesight so that you can continue to care for yourself.

Talk with your eye specialist

If you have questions about this information, take it with you when you visit your eye specialist. You may want to mark areas or make notes in the margins of the pages where you have questions.

If you need help finding vision aids, talk with your eye specialist about having a low-vision evaluation by a low-vision specialist. A low-vision specialist can help you determine which aids will enhance your remaining vision.

If you would like more information about low-vision enhancements, the following resources are available:
Organizations
Prevent Blindness America
211 West Wacker Drive
Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: 1-800-331-2020
E-mail: info@preventblindness.org
Web Address: www.preventblindness.org

Prevent Blindness America assists the visually impaired and provides consumer information on vision problems and vision aids. Many states have local affiliates.

National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
Information Office
31 Center Drive MSC 2510
Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
Phone: (301) 496-5248
E-mail: 2020@nei.nih.gov
Web Address: www.nei.nih.gov

As part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the National Eye Institute provides information on eye diseases and vision research. Publications are available to the public at no charge. The Web site includes links to various information resources.

American Foundation for the Blind
11 Penn Plaza
Suite 300
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 1-800-AFB-LINE (1-800-232-5463)
(21…
Fax: (212) 502-7777
E-mail: afbinfo@afb.net
Web Address: www.afb.org

The American Foundation for the Blind is dedicated to addressing the critical issues of literacy, independent living, employment, and access through technology for the 10 million Americans who are blind or visually impaired.

Lighthouse International
111 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1202
Phone: (212) 821-9200
1-8…
Fax: (212) 821-9707
TDD: (212) 821-9713 (TTY)
Web Address: www.lighthouse.org

Lighthouse International is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping people of all ages to overcome vision impairment through vision rehabilitation services, education, research, and advocacy.

Return to Vision problems: Living with poor eyesight
Credits
Author Monica Rhodes
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Steven T. Charles, MD - Ophthalmology
Last Updated April 13, 2007
Author:Monica Rhodes
Medical Review:Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal MedicineSteven T. Charles, MD - Ophthalmology
Source: Monica Rhodes - HealthWise

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Ray Ban has new bright vibrant colors for it’s Wayfarer frame RB 2140, you can get all of these new colors at SimplyEyeglasses.com.

Ray Ban Sunglasses are high quality and the cost depends on the look and style of the glasses. The fall for fashion is all what is noticed in Ray-Ban sunglasses. The other two divisions like Aviator and Wayfarer line from Ray Ban is also amazing.

One of the most fashionable designs from Ray Ban gives creates demand for buying as it has the value added UV rays protection ability, in-built in it. These glasses give a cool, sporting look and you will fall for its fashion!

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My husband collects sunglasses. Now, I have no one to blame but myself for his collection. You see, a long time ago I gave him a great pair of sunglasses as a gift. Until then, he had never owned a quality pair of sunglasses so he did not realize how much better a good pair of sunglasses with polarized lenses felt and fit. Now he has numerous pairs-in fact, he has so many pairs that he now has a special drawer to hold his sunglass collection. For him, every pair has a specific purpose or look. So his newest pair is the Arnette “Rage”. I must admit-this is a sharp looking pair of sunglasses. The style he chose is in a great gold and tortoise color with polarized lenses. Now my husband does not collect just any sunglasses, they do have to meet certain criteria. They have to be cool, they have to have polarized lenses and they have to be of optical quality. One of his favorite brands is Ray-Ban; He has a funky pair of Puma’s-very European looking! He has a pair of Ralph Lauren Polo-what he calls his ‘dress-up” sunglasses. His Wiley-X are his hunting pair. He has a great looking pair by Columbia. Who knew there were so many cool sunglasses out there? So if you are looking for great gift-give sunglasses. You too may create a sunglass monster.

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Engineer Alexander Smakule, who worked for Carl Zeiss, invented anti-reflective coatings in 1935. He discovered that this coating reduced loss of light from reflections
off a lens surface. Seventy- three years later, there are still numerous people who purchase eyeglasses every day without this technology applied to their eyeglass lenses.

Anti-reflective coatings are also applied to many other “optical” devices such as cameras, rifle- scopes, binoculars and optical testing and surgical equipment. The equipment used to test your eyes during an eye examination have anti-reflective coating applied to the lenses.

The basic explanation on why you should always have an anti reflective coating applied to your eyeglass lenses is to understand that when light travels through the air as a wave and meets a barrier such as an eyeglass lens, an estimated loss of 14% of the needed light to utilize your most optimum vision is lost to reflections.

If your lens material is a high index lens, you could be losing even a higher percentage of this needed light because of the index of these thinner lenses. So your new thin lenses may look better but if you do not add an anti-reflective coating, you have reduced your vision by additional reflections.

Although anti-reflective coatings do add to your cost of eyeglasses, you should consider this a must for your best vision. It has been proven that anti reflective coating is especially important for night driving, when outdoor lighting conditions make reflective glare very uncomfortable. This coating also helps reduce eye fatigue when using a computer for periods of time.

There are many brands and quality of anti-reflective coatings available. The advanced technology of anti-reflective coatings has increased tremendously in the past ten years. The majority of coatings available today consists of multiple of layers that make the lenses easier to clean and to keep clean, and should last an average of two years.

The added bonus is that anti-reflective coatings make your eyeglasses look better. If you remove reflections from the lens surface then your eyes are seen instead of a reflection.

So the next time you purchase eyeglasses, remember to make the choice of no glare. Your vision will be better and you will look better.

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Know what you are looking for in frame styles. Do you want a frame that is metal, plastic, semi-rimless or a frame that is barely there? Is a designers name and design important? Look at the millions of frame styles available and narrow down your preferences.

If you currently wear eyeglasses, determine the general size of frames that should fit you. Your current pair of eyeglasses has a size printed on it and is generally in the format of two numbers; example 50-20. The 50 represent the lens width and the 20 represent the bridge width. There is sometimes a third number; example 140, that is the length of the earpiece. If you find a frame that you love that indicates that it is a 53-18 you can assume that this frame is a slightly larger lens area than the example of 50-20.

Have a copy of your current eyeglass prescription and your pupillary distance; also called PD. Your pupillary distance is the measurement of the distance between the centers of your pupils. This measurement is required to accurately manufacture your eyeglasses. Ask questions, so that you fully understand your eyeglass prescription.

Your on line retailer should have definitions or a glossary section to explain the differences in lens materials. There are several options-plastic, polycarbonate, Hi-Index, and even glass are all choices.

There is a “buffet” line of lens options - photochromic (lenses go from light to dark with UV exposure), polarized, anti-reflective, and tinting. Again, your on line retailer should have an explanation on all of these products and how they can benefit you.

You can purchase eyeglasses at just about any price point. A complete pair for $7.99? You should expect these to be very, very basic eyeglasses. Just like any other products you purchase, if you do your homework and have a general idea of what items should cost, there are great eyeglass deals to be found.

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Preserve Your Vision Be a Safer Driver Reduce Eye Crinkle

Australians know all about damaging UV light and the importance of protecting themselves, because it is a way of life in their country. In the US, we seem to understand about the importance of sunscreen for our skin but still forget about our eyes, and even more importantly, our children’s eyes. Several studies have shown that we experience more than half of our lifetime exposure to sunlight and the damaging effects of UV exposure before the age of 18.Hats and sunscreen are important but not enough-you also need to be wearing polarized lenses. Whether you need prescription lenses or not, polarized lenses are available in most lens materials, lens styles and colors to suit everyone’s needs. Think of polarized lenses as sunscreen for your eyes.

An easy way to help preserve your youthful good looks is to stop squinting! And to stop squinting, you need to reduce glare. For many people, the area around the eyes is the first place that those little crinkles start appearing-and age starts showing. Always wear your polarized sunglasses and help reduce the development of “eye crinkle”

Younger Optics, a leading manufacture of polarized lens products reports that when 5000 consumers were asked if they experience glare issues while driving, 73% said yes. According to Younger Optics, there is no other circumstance where glare is more damaging than while driving a car. In order to have the best visual acuity possible while driving in day light hours, you must wear polarized lenses. Because to be a safe driver; you must be able to see everything that you need to see.

Polarized lenses- a product that delivers three important benefits! Protection from damaging UV, elimination of dangerous glare for safer driving and reduced squinting that can cause crinkles.

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There are approximately 56 million children in the US enrolled in school grades K through 12 this year. Unfortunately, many children’s back to school supplies do not include a complete eye examination.
The American Optometric Associations 2008 American Eye-Q survey reports-
· 87 percent of Americans are unaware that one in four students have an undetected vision problem
· 39 percent of parents do not realize that behavioral problems can be an indication of a visual impairment
· 57 percent of children do not receive their first comprehensive eye examination until age 5 or older

The AOA recommends that all children receive a comprehensive eye examination at the age of six months, three years old and when the child enters school.
In the state of Missouri, a new state law requires that all children entering kindergarten or first grade in a Missouri school be required to have a comprehensive eye examination.
From Eye Care Business September 2008

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The Basic Rules-

Accent your personal best facial feature.
Keep frame size in proportion to face size.
Use contrast with the frame shape to your face shape.

If you are complimented on your eye color, hair color, skin color or even your lip color, then you should own an eyeglass frame that matches that color. Don’t be afraid –try all colors-you may find that a lavender frame is a fabulous color for you. But like eye make-up- blue tones tend to look great on brunettes and brown tones look great on blondes.

If the frame is over your eyebrows or half way down your cheeks then it is probably too large for your “regular” eyeglasses. Think proportion and watch for your eyes to be centered in the lens area-a good clue that the size is correct. Watch that the frame is wide enough that the earpieces do not have to bow out to fit around your head and make sure the earpieces are long enough to go around your ears. Now size is different for your sunglasses (you do own sunglasses don’t you?) because you need to have better coverage of your eye area to fully enjoy the benefits of wearing sunglasses, so a larger more wrapped eyeglass frame style would be appropriate.

Face shape is sometimes a little harder to figure out-because most faces are a combination of several basic shapes-round, oval, diamond and square. A round face should not be wearing round frames and a square face probably needs to stay away from square frames. Just think contrast-look in the mirror, get an idea of your shape and look for frames that would be a nice, soft contrast.

The bottom line-you should try a lot of different frame styles and pick out a few. The mirror and a trusted friend will help you decide. And consider owning more than just one pair- because the pair of eyeglasses that looks fabulous with jeans on the weekend may not look so fabulous with the cute black dress you wear to the next dinner party.

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Just 30 years ago, the available products for eyeglass lenseswere still relatively limited-there was standard glass, hard resin (plastic) lenses and the newcomer on the market; polycarbonate. Although eyeglasses had come a long way from the 50’s and 60’s, lets face it-glasses were not really “fashion statements”.

In 2008 the standard lens materials are still available, but additional options available for your eyewear could make your head spin - if you do not do your homework.
And wearing a pair of eyeglasses that can be a fashion statement is totally up to you.

It is actually a great time to wear eyeglasses - the availability of lens products can help everyone’s eyewear not only look great but can also make your eyewear fit and work for your lifestyle.

Add in the millions of eyeglass frames available and you can put together the next (or 2, or 3 or 4th) perfect pair of eyeglasses for yourself.

Do your homework. The choices are almost limitless and the prices are also limitless.

There is no reason why you cannot be wearing your next perfect pair of eyeglasses.

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