Maintaining Independence Despite Visual Impairment: 14 Tips

from theblindguide.com 

Maintaining independence with loss of vision is a choice and long time readers know that I believe you can thrive, not just survive with vision loss. The 14 tips that follow will be second nature to people who have lived with compromised vision for some time. For someone newly diagnosed, perhaps they will accelerate your return to independence.

14 Tips to Help Maintain Independence Despite Visual Impairment is the seventh in a series of posts from Patricia Sarmiento at the Public Health Corps. The actual link includes some excellent sample images and many useful insights so my own post will be brief. I would strong encourage you to visit the original post.

TIP NUMBER 1: Make what you want to see larger. There are 3 ways to make things larger:

• Relative Distance Magnification
• Relative Size Magnification
• Angular Magnification

TIP NUMBER 2: Increase task illumination is another key to maintaining independence:

• An elderly person requires nearly three times as much light as a 20 year old
• A person who is visually impaired will need even more lighting
• Use gooseneck lamps, flashlights and illuminated magnifiers

TIP NUMBER 3: Reduce glare

• Glare can further reduce vision and cause eye fatigue

TIP NUMBER 4: Enhance contrast between what you want to see and its surroundings

• Most people with visual impairment see better if objects are black and white.

TIP NUMBER 5: Make sure you are using the correct magnification product and product power for the task.
TIP NUMBER 6: Learn to use your magnification products properly
TIP NUMBER 7: Low vision glasses or products are often task-specific:

• You may need more than one low vision aid to accomplish all tasks

TIP NUMBER 8: Learn to use your eyes more efficiently
TIP NUMBER 9: Substitute ears for eyes.
TIP NUMBER 10: Be flexible is another key to maintaining independence and perhaps a good life lesson.
TIP NUMBER 11: Be your own advocate:

• Become knowledgeable; ask your eye doctor
• Become familiar with community resources

TIP NUMBER 12: Stay organized
TIP NUMBER 13: Do not become dependent on others
TIP NUMB ER 14: Do not define yourself by your eyes or your vision

Follow these 14 tips to maintaining independence and you will be well on your way to thriving with vision loss!

One other resource comes to us from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind; for a comprehensive guide for caregivers, please see this Living with Vision Loss resource.