Vision loss can greatly affect your residents’ or employees’ quality of life and ability to perform normal activities such as reading, connecting with loved ones, or driving. Fortunately, rapid advances and improvements in assistive technology are creating solutions for people with vision loss to regain independence.
More than 5 million people in the United States are living with vision loss, and the National Institute of Health projects that the number of people with visual impairment or blindness will double by 2050. Several different types of vision loss can occur:
- Central vision loss. The first signs of vision loss typically include minor challenges, such as blurred vision. It then can progress to loss of detailed vision when looking straight ahead. This loss can cause difficulty completing tasks, such as reading or watching TV. Those with central vision loss often feel that they are missing details in their environment, or they have difficulty perceiving distances. A common cause of central vision loss is macular degeneration. As the macula begins to deteriorate, blurry spots that often take form in the center of the visual field may begin to grow and darken.
- Peripheral vision loss. Another type of vision loss is peripheral vision loss, sometimes referred to as “tunnel vision.” This type involves the loss of side or outer vision, creating a tunnel-like effect in the field of view. Those with peripheral vision loss may experience symptoms suddenly or gradually, often related to conditions such as retinitis, glaucoma or even a stroke. Navigating busy environments becomes increasingly difficult as the person’s ability to detect movement around them weakens.
- Blurred and double vision. Blurred vision is perhaps one of the most common forms of vision loss and indicates a reduction of sharpness in one’s eyesight. This change often is caused by cataracts or refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Double vision, also known as diplopia, indicates the appearance of multiple images of a singular object within the vision field. This condition often creates issues with balance and mobility. Possible causes of double vision include damage to the nerve or muscles that control eye movement or disorders such as thyroid dysfunction.
- Sudden vision loss. Sudden vision loss can occur in as much as a few days or as little as a few seconds. The most common causes are interrupted blood flow, eye trauma, nerve damage or retinal detachment.
Consult an eye care professional
It is essential that those who experience any signs or symptoms of vision loss consult with an eye care professional. An optometrist or ophthalmologist can perform a comprehensive eye examination to determine the underlying cause of vision impairment and recommend appropriate medical treatments or interventions. Conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, among others, may require specific medical or surgical treatments to prevent further vision loss or improve existing conditions.
Regular eye exams are vital for early detection and management of eye diseases.
Low vision exams are different from regular eye exams. The primary goal of a low vision exam is not to diagnose eye disease, but rather to maximize functional vision. After the exam, individuals may be referred to an occupational therapist for vision rehabilitation therapy. The therapist will identify areas affected by the change in vision and assesses various technologies and devices to help optimize participation in daily activities. Fortunately, with advances in technology, numerous tools are available to help with vision loss that cannot be corrected.
Available technologies can help
- Wearable devices: Wearable smart devices are rapidly improving innovations that enhance vision and improve the quality of life for people with visual impairments. The eSight Go by Gentex Corp. is an example of this. The eSight Go device, which looks like glasses, is lightweight and helps people with significant central vision loss and legal blindness achieve up to 20/20 vision. eSight Go uses small high-definition cameras to capture everything within a wearer’s view. The footage then is presented on two near-to-eye OLED screens in real time to provide visual clarity.
- Smart canes: New smart canes have been developed that not only provide physical support but also digital navigation. Those canes send signals to mobile applications that provide audible navigation instructions. Using RFID tags embedded along walkways, the canes provide point-by-point instructions and points of interest during travel.
- Artificial intelligence: Artificial intelligence, paired with mobile applications, is improving access to environmental information for those with visual impairments. One mobile application, Seeing AI, for example, uses AI and an individual’s mobile device camera to read text or identify objects and audibly describe them. The application can identify grocery store products, subjects of a photograph, and more.
Many causes of vision loss exist, and it is critical for your residents and employees — and you! — to schedule regular eye exams to detect the presence and progression of eye conditions and early-stage symptoms. Assistive technology for the visually impaired can help people regain independence and improve their quality of life by allowing them to revisit lost hobbies, view the faces of loved ones and boost their mental health.
Roland Mattern is director of sales for eSight by Gentex Corp.
Katelyn Jordan, OD, FAAO, is director of vision rehabilitation services at Brooks Rehabilitation.
The opinions expressed in each McKnight’s Senior Living marketplace column are those of the author and are not necessarily those of McKnight’s Senior Living.
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