Dealing with Low Vision Problems

Low vision is a serious problem that is normally chalked off to old age. Since most of the people that are affected by this are old, they usually decide to just live with the problem and not do anything about it, which is really unfortunate. But, when somebody at the prime of their lives or young children are diagnosed with vision problems, it becomes more of a serious condition that would definitely be sad if left unattended. What people should know is that low vision is a serious physical condition that can happen to anybody regardless of age. To know if what is being experienced is low vision, here are a few clues that should be proof enough that a health professional - an ophthalmologist or optometrist - should be consulted the soonest time possible.

Symptoms of low vision are generally connected to poor eyesight, which is categorized into four basic states, namely the following:

1. Central Field Loss - This is when the object in one's vision has a dark hole or patch in the center.
2. Multiple Field Loss - This is when multiple patches or several dark holes appear in a person's line of vision.
3. Tunnel Vision - This is when a person is the inability to see the minor details surrounding a person's central line of sight or a loss of peripheral vision.
4. Contrast Loss and Glare Problems - This is a condition wherein a person is incapable of distinguishing objects because they are integrated with the background in one's line of sight.

There are several underlying causes why a person suffers from low vision. Diseases such as macular degeneration caused by old age, optic atrophy, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, glaucoma, direct trauma to the eyes, stroke, retinitis pigmentosa, cataract and corneal disease. All of these are conditions that should be diagnosed by a doctor. So patients should undergo a thorough physical medical check-up that includes laboratory exams.

Low vision cannot be corrected by surgery or medication. This is why once a patient has been diagnosed with this condition he or she is then referred to health professional such as an ophthalmologist and an optometrist or even both. Once the cause of low vision has been identified, the doctors can prescribe what is called low vision products to help patients augment their vision loss. These products can range from prescriptive eyeglasses or other products which are specifically designed to help patients see as normally as possible or to at least help them lead normal lives despite their conditions.