Visual disabilities are among the top 10 disabilities affecting American adults. Ability Central shares critical information about low vision, including its symptoms, the types of low vision, and where to find help for vision problems.Vision loss and low vision are usually associated with old age, but vision problems can come from a much wider range of sources. Disease, genetic conditions, and more can play a role in how well or poorly we see.
In this article, Ability Central explores different types of low vision, including what causes them, common symptoms to look out for, and when to seek medical care for low vision.
We answer your most frequently asked questions about low vision, including:
How common is low vision?
What are the different types of low vision?
What are the common symptoms of low vision?
What are the primary causes of low vision?
How is low vision diagnosed?
How common is low vision?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vision disability is one of the top 10 disabilities among adults 18 years and older and one of the most prevalent disabling conditions among children.
Approximately 12 million people aged 40 years and over in the United States have vision impairment, including:
1 million who are blind
3 million who have vision impairment after correction, and
8 million with a vision impairment due to uncorrected refractive error
What are the common symptoms of low vision?
The basic definition of “low vision” is a loss of sight that can’t be corrected with surgery, medication, or prescription gear like glasses and contact lenses.
Some of the most common symptoms of low vision include:
Blind spots, like gaps in central vision or loss of peripheral (side) vision
Poor night vision or difficulty seeing in dim settings
Problems with glare and light sensitivity
Changes to color vision
Difficulties with diving, reading, watching TV, using computers, or recognizing people’s faces
What are the different types of low vision?
There are four main types of low vision:
Central vision loss, when you can’t see things right in front of you.
Peripheral vision loss, also called side vision loss, when you can’t see things “out of the corner of your eyes”.
Night blindness, poor vision in low-light environments, particularly in the outdoors.
Blurry, hazy, doubled, or otherwise blocked vision, when health conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy cause major vision changes.
Some people living with vision loss prefer to use a term like “partially sighted” instead of “blindness” or “low vision.” In some countries, including the United States, the term “partially sighted” can also be a legal designation that helps people qualify for things like federal disability funding or special education programs.
What are the primary causes of low vision?
The American Optometric Association (AOA) defines nine primary causes of low vision:
Macular degeneration
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Diabetic retinopathy
Retinitis pigmentosa
Amblyopia
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
Retinal detachment
Acquired (traumatic) brain injury
In addition, genetic disorders like [Usher syndrome]() can lead to vision loss, hearing loss, and other communication disabilities.
Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration is a disorder that affects a part of the eye called the retina. Macular degeneration causes blurry vision, which often creates difficulty reading and, for some, a dark or blurry spot in their central vision.
Cataracts
Cataracts, or clouding of the eye’s lens, cause general vision loss by blocking light before it can reach the retina.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve. The first signs of damage are problems with side vision and night vision.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of high blood sugar levels that can cause blood vessels in the eye to leak. When this leakage builds up, it can cause vision problems that eventually damage the retina.
Retinitis pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited disease. Retinitis pigmentosa symptoms usually begin in childhood or adolescence, starting with night blindness. Over time, retinitis pigmentosa can cause total or permanent night blindness, side vision loss, or total blindness.
Amblyopia
Amblyopia is a congenital disorder (a disorder present at birth) in which a child’s visual system doesn’t develop the way it should. Blurry vision from amblyopia usually can’t be fixed with glasses or contacts, although some medical or surgical interventions can help.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) refers to high oxygen levels that damage the retina. ROP typically occurs in premature infants who need to spend time in an incubator. The higher oxygen levels in incubators can cause permanent eye damage.
Retinal detachment
Retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from the rest of the eye. People with detached retinas may have total vision loss in that eye. Caught early enough, however, retinal detachment can often be treated with surgery, partially or fully restoring vision.
Acquired (traumatic) brain injury
Acquired brain injury, also called traumatic brain injury or TBI, is brain damage that causes partial or total vision loss. Typically the result of head trauma, an injury, or a stroke, traumatic brain injury can cause symptoms like:
Reduced or blurry vision
Eye misalignment
Difficulties with depth perception
Confusion when completing vision-based tasks (reading, folding laundry, recognizing faces, etc.)
Difficulty telling colors apart
Double vision
Headaches and eye pain
Dizziness, vertigo, and difficulties with balance
Abnormal posture or squinting
How is low vision diagnosed?
The best way to diagnose low vision is with an eye exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Eye care specialists diagnose vision problems through tests like:
Eye or vision charts
Tests with strong or dim light
Magnification tests
Depth perception tests
Field of vision tests
Screenings for eye diseases like glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy
To find an eye doctor, speak with your insurance company to find an in-network optometrist or ask your family doctor for a referral.
If you’re not sure where to start, don’t have vision insurance, or want to explore lower-cost options, check out the Ability Central [Service Locator tool](https://www.abilitycentral.org/services). This national database of nonprofits helps connect you to organizations near you that offer services for people with low vision.
Where can I get more information about low vision?
To learn more about low vision, check out:
Ability Central also offers robust resources on other conditions that affect the eyes, like:
Additional Information
The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for legal, medical, or other professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date resources, some information may become outdated or incomplete. Always consult with your provider about personal medical concerns.
