The White Cane: A Tool for Fall Prevention

Person holding a white cane while seated

Fear of falling is a significant concern for many older adults, particularly those with low vision, who understandably feel more anxious about tripping or stumbling over curbs. Sadly, this often leads to them staying home, fearing a fall could result in serious injury.  What many don’t realize is that a white cane is an incredible […]

What Are Low Vision Optical Devices?

Person using a handheld magnifier

Low vision optical devices include a variety of devices, such as stand and hand-held magnifiers, strong magnifying reading glasses, loupes, and small telescopes. Because these devices can provide greatly increased magnification powers, prescription strengths, and higher-quality optics (i.e., the way the lens bends or refracts light), they differ from regular glasses and commercially available magnifiers. […]

Helpful Non-Optical Devices for Low Vision

Flexible arm task lighting on a desk

What Are Low Vision Non-Optical Devices? Low-vision non-optical devices can include a number of adaptations, such as reading stands, supplemental lighting, absorptive sunglasses, typoscopes, and tactile locator dots. They are often recommended as part of a low vision examination. They can be used in combination with magnifiers and other low vision optical devices that can […]

Retinitis Pigmentosa: What is it?

Fundus of patient with retinitis pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common of a large group of progressive retinal degenerations or dystrophies [i.e., degenerative disorders]. There is considerable overlap among the various types. It usually refers to a group of hereditary conditions involving one or several retina layers, causing progressive degeneration. What Causes Retinitis Pigmentosa? Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited […]

Transcript and Description of American Academy of Ophthalmology Low Vision Video

phoropter eyesight measurement testing machine

Description: Video opens with a screen that says: “Low Vision–Vision Loss that cannot be corrected and interferes with activities. VA less than 20/40, scotoma, field loss, or contrast sensitivity loss.” Screen shot of David W. Parke, MD., CEO, American Academy of Ophthalmology speaking as follows: David W. Parke, MD: “One of the things that we […]