Three Common Age-Related Eye Conditions 

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide.  It is a progressive condition where aging causes damage to the macula, the part of the eye that controls sharp, detailed central vision. This causes the central visual field to become blurry or to develop dark spots. It can also cause vision to become distorted where objects seem to be displaced and/or straight lines appear wavy. 

Glaucoma can occur at any age, but it is another leading cause of vision loss for people over the age of 60. Glaucoma occurs when fluid build-up causes high eye pressure. This ultimately damages the optic nerve, the part of the eye that delivers visual input to the brain. Glaucoma is not easily detected, because its effects are so gradual and decreased vision is not noticeable until its later stages. 

Cataracts occur in older adults because with time the lenses in the eyes may break down and begin to leak protein that clumps together. When untreated it causes blurry, hazy, or cloudy vision.

Taking the first Step to Overcome Vision Loss 

With vision loss comes a slew of limitations. No longer being able to drive, read regular print, clearly see the faces of loved ones, and perform daily task with ease can be very discouraging for someone who has always been able to do these things. 

Encouraging a positive outlook is the first step to overcoming any difficulty in life and it’s no different when facing vision impairment. It’s important to understand that medical conditions do not define individuals and people have the power to choose to live meaningful, purposeful, and even joyful lives regardless of their age or physical disabilities.

Support & Resources 

From there, it’s a matter of finding real solutions to accomplish everyday goals. Staying connected to family and friends and getting involved with a church and/or a support group can greatly ease this process and increase confidence in maintaining independence. 

Fortunately, we live in a time where there are countless options available as far as having tools for the elderly community. Whether it’s services like ride sharing and personal shopping assistance, or assistive devices like magnifiers and money identifiers, or high-tech assistive technology like screen readers and a fully voice operated smart phone like the RealSAM Pocket—there are real solutions to adapting to life with vision loss. 

By Guenivir Kendrick with help from ChatGPT

References:

Cataract. AOA.org. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2023, from https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/cataract?sso=y 

Glaucoma. AOA.org. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2023, from https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/glaucoma?sso=y 

Macular degeneration. AOA.org. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2023, from https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/macular-degeneration?sso=y

The post Overcoming the 3 Most Common Age-Related Conditions Causing Visual Impairment  appeared first on RealSAM USA.

1. Reducing Glare

Different eye conditions can cause light sensitivity. Light is crucial, but excessive amounts or glare can cause physical discomfort such as tearing up or getting headaches. Glare can also cause vision to become hazy or blurry, making details even less visible for those who are visually impaired. To reduce glare, use shades or filters on light sources, position lights at different angles, and use matte finishes on surfaces to reduce reflective glare.

2. Increasing Contrast

As higher contrast with dark mode helps many visually impaired people read and navigate their screens, enhancing contrast in the surroundings can improve their ability to distinguish between different objects and surfaces. This can be achieved by using lighting that highlights the edges of objects and surfaces, creating shadows that provide depth perception, and using contrasting colors to create a clear distinction between different surfaces. For example, using a light-colored floor with dark-colored furniture can make it easier for someone with low vision to navigate a room. 

3. Providing Task Lighting

Task lighting can be particularly useful for individuals with low vision, as it provides additional light for specific tasks such as reading, cooking, or sewing. Task lighting can be provided through lamps, under-cabinet lighting, and other forms of localized lighting. By providing additional lighting for specific tasks, people with low vision can work more efficiently and with greater accuracy.

4. Using Natural Light

Sunlight can make any space bright, airy, and beautiful, while being an excellent source of illumination for individuals with low vision. It is important to manage natural light. Too much direct sunlight pouring into a room may be too bright and may cause glare, while not enough of it could darken the room and make it more difficult to see. This can be done by using window treatments, coverings, filters, that allow light in while diffusing direct sunlight and by positioning furniture to take advantage of indirect natural light.

5. Providing Consistent Lighting

Consistent lighting can be important for individuals with low vision, as sudden changes in lighting can be disorienting and make it difficult to see. By providing consistent lighting throughout a space, people with low vision can navigate their surroundings with greater ease.

Taking all these considerations into account and adjusting lighting accordingly can help individuals with low vision make the most of what they can see with comfort, ease, and confidence.

 By Guenivir Kendrick with help from ChatGPT

REFERENCE:

Perez, S. S. (2023, February 16). Useful Independence Tips for Low Vision Awareness Month. The American Foundation for the Blind. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.afb.org/blog/entry/independence-tips

The post 5 Ways to Adjust Lighting for Low Vision appeared first on RealSAM USA.

Staying Connected with Technology

One way to stay connected is through social media. On platforms like YouTube and Facebook, people can meet others who are experiencing similar challenges dealing with their visual impairment. They can also connect with friends and family, join groups with common interests and follow news and events. Using screen readers or text-to-speech software, visually impaired people can easily navigate these platforms and stay in touch.

Another way to stay connected is through audio and video conferencing. Applications such as Zoom and Skype offer an easy and accessible way to talk to distant family members and friends.
Going out can be challenging, but by using visual interpretation services and apps designed specifically for navigation, people with visual impairments have new ways to navigate their surroundings. Be My Eyes, for example, is a free app that connects visually impaired people with sighted volunteers who can assist them by describing their surroundings and identifying signs and buildings.

Connecting with Local Communities and Organizations for the Blind and Visually Impaired

A great way to get connected is by attending local events and activities by organizations supporting blind and visually impaired people. These can be online meetings, social events at activity centers or exciting group outings. The Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired in your state is a good place to get information about groups and programs near you. 

Staying Connected through Books

When going out isn’t an option, reading books is the perfect remedy. Books keep people connected to the world by providing knowledge and entertainment. Reading stimulates the imagination by taking readers on an exciting adventure or allowing them to see the world through the lives and actions of characters. For people with visual impairments, this is possible through the National Library Service run by the Library of Congress. NLS offers books in a variety of formats, including Braille, USB sticks and digital downloads. 

Through technology, community support and reading books, people with visual impairment can overcome the barriers of social isolation and make meaningful connections.

By Guenivir Kendrick with help from ChatGPT

References:

Be My Eyes. (n.d.). Be my eyes – see the world together. Be My Eyes – See the world together. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.bemyeyes.com/#:~:text=Be%20My%20Eyes%20is%20a,people%20lead%20more%20independent%20lives.  

NLS. (2023, March 23). NLS at the Library of Congress. National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.loc.gov/nls/#:~:text=National%20Library%20Service%20(NLS)%20is,from%20using%20regular%20print%20materials.

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