GoodRx Guide
Low Vision: Your GoodRx Guide
Comprehensive information for you or a loved one — including treatment options and discounts on popular medications.
Definition
Visual impairment is a medical term that describes any type of vision loss that can’t be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, medications, or medical procedures. But this is not a functional term. It doesn’t tell you what people are or are not able to do.
Other terms you may have heard include blindness and low vision.
Low vision is a medical term that means that a person has lost some visual acuity (the ability to distinguish details) but still retains some vision. The World Health Organization defines low vision as corrected visual acuity between 20/70 and 20/400, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less. Simply put, a person with low vision needs to adjust how they complete their daily tasks because of their vision.
Blindness is a term that means a person has less than 20/200 vision in the better eye or a limited field of vision that’s 20 degrees or less. Legally, this definition determines whether a person is eligible for certain programs and benefits. There’s overlap between the definition of low vision and blindness.
But the definitions don’t convey that each person’s experience is different. It’s important to remember that people who have low vision retain some sight and this can vary widely from person to person. Only about 15% of people with low vision are unable to perceive light or form. But keep in mind that people’s ability to navigate their daily lives isn’t determined only by how much sight they retain.
Causes
The list of things that can lead to low vision is very long. Common eye conditions that can lead to low vision include:
Eye injuries can also lead to vision loss. So can certain medical conditions like albinism or retinitis pigmentosa.
Children can be born with conditions that lead to amblyopia, sometimes called “lazy eye.” Amblyopia can lead to low vision if it’s not treated.
Symptoms
Symptoms of vision loss can vary from person to person. Some people describe:
Blurry or hazy vision
Trouble seeing small print
Trouble making out faces at a distance
Gray or blind spots in their vision
Being able to see better with bright light or in daytime
Young children may not be able to verbalize their vision changes. But some signs a child is having vision changes include:
Closing one eye, especially when going down the stairs
Frequent eye rubbing
Squinting
Holding objects very close to their eyes
Frequent blinking
Diagnosis
If you’re concerned about your vision, the first step is to see an eye doctor like an ophthalmologist or an optometrist for a complete eye exam. This includes:
An exam of the front structures of your eye
Pupil dilation to look at the back structures of your eye
Measuring your eye pressure
Measuring your visual acuity
Checking your central and peripheral vision
You may need additional tests, too, like an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan to look at the structures in the back of your eye.
Depending on the results, your doctor may be able to provide a diagnosis and treatment plan, or they may recommend a referral to a specialist, like a retinal specialist.
This process can be frustrating, and sometimes it takes several visits to come to a conclusion. You may also need to see a low-vision specialist who can help you find tools and adaptive equipment.
Treatments
Treatment for low vision depends on the reason for your vision changes. In some cases, medications and treatments can help improve your vision. For example, getting cataracts removed can correct your vision back to what it was before you developed cataracts.
Sometimes it’s not possible to reverse a visual impairment. But even in these situations, there may be treatments that can help you preserve your remaining vision. Each person’s situation will be very different. Your healthcare team can help you navigate the different options available to you.
Living with low vision
Losing vision can be frightening, frustrating, and difficult, especially because it can affect your independence. But with the right support, you can live a full life and navigate this change.
There are specialists in low vision who can teach you how to optimize the vision that you do have and prescribe low-vision aids and devices. There are many new technology resources that can help you navigate your day-to-day activities. You may also qualify for disability and other benefits.
There are also several groups you can connect with like:
These organizations can connect you with different professionals and community groups.
Common concerns
Sometimes it’s possible to correct someone’s vision. People who have cataracts can have surgery to have their cataracts removed. This usually is enough to correct their visual acuity to what it was before they developed cataracts. People who have refractive errors like myopia or astigmatism can use glasses or contact lenses to improve their visual acuity.
In other situations, it’s not possible to correct someone’s vision. Some conditions lead to permanent vision loss. But even in these cases, there may be treatment to slow down the condition so you can retain your vision.
No. It’s appropriate to say “a person with low vision.” Some organizations use the term “blind” as well. Some medical organizations may refer to a person with low vision as “person with visual impairment.” While this may be technically correct, many advocates object to using the term “impairment” to describe low vision.
You can drive in every state in the U.S. with vision in one eye as long as you’re able to prove you have a field of vision that meets certain criteria. There may be certain restrictions placed on your license based on daylight, area, and speed of driving.
References
American Foundation for the Blind. (n.d.). Low vision and legal blindness terms and descriptions.
American Foundation for the Blind. (n.d.). Technology resources for people with vision loss.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Facts about vision loss in children .
DO-IT. (2022). How are the terms low vision, visually impaired, and blind defined?
Lee, S.O., et al. (2022). Blindness. StatPearls.
National Center on Disability and Journalism. (2021). Disability language style guide.
World Health Organization. (2022). Blindness and vision impairment.
