Losing vision while still working is a reality many people are unprepared to face. When Eye conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy begin to affect eyesight, the impact to a career can be unsettling. Uncertainty sets in quickly. Can I still do my job? Will my employer fire me? What happens next?
The numbers tell a sobering story. According to research at the American Foundation for the Blind about 44% of working-age Americans with visual impairments are currently employed. Compared to nearly 79% of those without disabilities. Yet the story doesn’t have to end there. With the right tools, game plan, accommodations, and mindset, continuing to work through vision loss is possible. It is something thousands of people are successfully doing every day. I am one of them.
My Experience of Vision Loss on the Job
Years ago, I went from fully sighted, to low vision to total blindness. All while working. I was employed at a major corporation in human resources. I was young, hopeful, and energized. I was also nervous yet excited to start this next leg of my life journey. But shortly after beginning this position, I started losing vision and it got worse.
I am sharing my story for anyone navigating a similar path. You might be the employee who just received a diagnosis and is scared. Or you might be a professional quietly managing worsening vision and staying silent. You could also be the worker who has disclosed their disability but are afraid to ask for more accommodation because your vision is declining again. I can relate and have experienced all three scenarios. I know personally vision loss changes how you work. However, it doesn’t have to end your career.
Understanding Your Specific Vision Changes
The first thing I did when I noticed changes was to seek help. I went to an eye doctor and got an exam. I had no history of vision problems. I was worried because it took a couple of visits to get a proper diagnosis. I was eventually diagnosed with uveitis, an eye disease that causes inflammation, retinal detachment and nerve damage. Initially, with the help of medications, my vision was stable but that would change.
In the beginning, I learned as much as possible about my eye condition. I read online articles. I got a second opinion. I took medications to slow down the progression. I also learned how to navigate at work and in life with a decrease in vision.
Not all vision loss looks the same and that matters when it comes to your job. For example, someone losing their central vision, from macular degeneration, may struggle to read a computer screen or recognize a coworker’s face across the room. Yet navigate a hallway with ease. While someone with glaucoma may lose their peripheral vision first, making it harder to notice things at the edges of their visual field. This could cause challenges crossing a busy warehouse floor to spotting a hand raised in a staff meeting.
When you have progressive vision loss you might have usable remaining vision. But you can still experience significant difficulty. I struggled with bright glare from my office window and computer screen. Printed documents were hard to read. It took more time to adjust to light differences when entering and exiting my office building.
The point is Before you can adapt, you must understand what you’re up against. It is not just the name of your diagnosis. But the particular way it changes your daily experience at work.
Preparing Before You Disclose
Initially, I didn’t need any accommodation. My vision was not directly impacting my ability to do my job. But over time my vision got worse, and I became a low vision person. I was struggling to see my computer screen. I was worried it was slowing down my workflow. I knew at some point I would have to disclose this to my employer.
But before I did that, I learned about what I would need to continue working. I knew there were devices for people with low vision. Yet didn’t know the details. I contacted my local vision rehab center for help and suggestions. They introduced me to low vision aids and devices. They educated me on the protections I had under the Americans with disabilities Act (ADA). They expressed empathy and understanding for a person like me.
Requesting Workplace Accommodations
Next, I went to my supervisor and told her my vision had declined. I shared there were devices to help me stay productive and continue working. I did the research and gave the information to my employer.
I did all of this because sometimes employers are reluctant to provide an accommodation because they are unfamiliar with your disability. There is fear of the unknown. Not understanding that people with disabilities can be successful at work. Part of my job was to educate my employer as much as possible. I wanted to meet them halfway so I could get what I needed to continue working.
These actions resulted in successfully getting my workplace accommodation. My employer provided the following:
1. Hand-held magnifiers to read printed materials.
2. Dark-lined notebook paper to take notes during meetings.
3. 20/20 pens for higher contrast writing.
4. Screen magnification software on my computer.
5. A CCTV device to read mail, faxes, and other printed materials.
When Your Vision Changes Again
Unfortunately, these devices were useful for only a brief period. Within a few months, I started experiencing another drop in my vision. This time it was to the point I needed more accommodation. Things that were better suited for a blind person versus someone with low vision.
I needed more enhanced white cane travel training. I also needed screen reading software for my computer. This meant taking time off work to attend vision rehabilitation training. It also meant working with a vocational rehabilitation counselor who would advocate for me to stay employed.
Although the support was there, I wondered would my company give me extra time off. I was worried and nervous because my vision had changed so drastically. I knew I had to let my boss know. I wasn’t sure she would support me because this time I would need extended leave to seek vision rehabilitation training. It would be several months away from work. The uncertainty was scary.
My Supervisor Saw My Value
Once I told her about this new decline, she responded positively and gave me the time off I needed. I believe Part of the reason this happened is because my employer recognized my value and contribution to the company. It was not just about a legal obligation under ADA. My boss said, “We need your brain in this department and want you to return.”
I had taken initiative and mastered my job duties. I was a team player and took on harder and more complicated projects. I arrived at work early and returned on time from breaks. I had strong verbal and written communication skills. I also got support from co-workers I had trained in the department. All these things contributed to a positive reaction from management.
The Emotional Toll of Vision Loss and Working
Having an understanding supervisor, getting work accommodations and vision rehab training is great. However, I didn’t deal with the emotional aspects of losing vision. I was laser focused on retaining my employment. I enjoyed my job but also had to make a living. I told myself I would cry and grieve later.
I returned to work after a year of vision rehabilitation and continued to succeed. Yet the emotional toll was difficult. My supervisor and co-workers were encouraging and supportive. However, that is where it stopped. Dealing with people in the breakroom, in the elevator, on public transportation traveling to work was challenging.
The low expectations that the public had about blind and low vision people was a hard pill to swallow. People wrongly assumed I had little skills or talents. Although I am an African American woman, I had not experienced this type of attitude or behavior prior. I eventually sought out counseling and therapy to deal with this dilemma.
I had to acknowledge this emotional reality was not weakness. Rather, it was the starting point for genuine resilience. I learned about the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, and acceptance. I had to give myself permission to grieve and understand I didn’t have all the answers.
Finding Community and Mentorship
In addition to therapy, I connected with other blind and low vision people. I specifically sought professionals like myself who were blind and employed. I found them in my job readiness classes, blind consumer groups and mentoring through CareerConnect. From those conversations I was able to see I was not alone. I got support to make it through those difficult moments.
Practical Steps to Keep Working
If my story resonates with you don’t let a diagnosis end your career journey. Start with one of these steps.
1. Schedule a low vision evaluation.
2. Research your rights under the ADA.
3. Explore assistive technology.
4. Call your state’s Vocational Rehabilitation agency.
5. Connect with at least one person who is working successfully with vision loss.
Each of these single actions can move you forward. They can result in a career that continues. It isn’t pretending nothing has changed. Everything has changed and may continue to change. The path forward runs directly through that reality, not around it.
I realized to thrive I had to acknowledge what was happening to me. It is hard. But I encourage you to face it early, seek the right tools and resources. I want you to understand blindness and low vision changes how you work, but it doesn’t have to end a career.