Materiały źródłowe

• #1 Blindness (Vision Impairment): Types, Causes and Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24446-blindness

  Blindness is the inability to see or a lack of vision. In the most severe cases, there’s an inability to see even light. It also means that you can’t correct your vision with eyeglasses, contact lenses, eye drops or other medical therapy, or surgery. Sudden vision loss is an emergency. It’s important to seek immediate medical help. […] The type of treatment available depends on your condition. Providers can treat some forms of blindness with medications or glasses but can’t treat other types, such as the ones where your eyes are missing or completely damaged. In these cases, your provider may recommend visual rehabilitation. The goal of vision rehabilitation is to enhance visual functioning so you can meet your visual goals and improve your quality of life. Often, this happens through low-vision training, therapy and using low-vision devices.

• #1

  https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment

  Globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a near or distance vision impairment. In at least 1 billion of these, vision impairment could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed. […] It is estimated that globally only 36% of people with a distance vision impairment due to refractive error and only 17% of people with vision impairment due to cataract have received access to an appropriate intervention. […] Eye conditions that can cause vision impairment and blindness such as cataract or refractive error are, for good reasons, the main focus of eye care strategies; nevertheless, the importance of eye conditions that do not typically cause vision impairment such as dry eye or conjunctivitis must not be overlooked. […] For many eye conditions, e.g. diabetic retinopathy, early detection and timely treatment are crucial to avoid irreversible vision loss. Spectacle correction for refractive error and surgery for cataract are among the most cost-effective of all health-care interventions. Yet, globally only 36% of people with a distance vision impairment due to refractive error have received access to an appropriate pair of spectacles and only 17% of people with vision impairment or blindness due to cataract have received access to quality surgery.

• #1 Visual impairment – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_impairment

  Visual impairment Other names Vision impairment, vision loss […] Treatment Vision rehabilitation, changes in the environment, assistive devices (eyeglasses, white cane) […] The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 80% of visual impairment is either preventable or curable with treatment. […] Many people with significant visual impairment benefit from vision rehabilitation, changes in their environment, and assistive devices. […] It is important that people be examined by someone specializing in low vision care prior to other rehabilitation training to rule out potential medical or surgical correction for the problem and to establish a careful baseline refraction and prescription of both normal and low vision glasses and optical aids. […] The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that half of blindness in the United States is preventable.

• #1 Azthena logo with the word Azthena

  https://www.news-medical.net/health/Treatment-of-visual-impairment.aspx

  Depending on the cause and degree of the visual impairment, management can be decided upon. […] For management for patients some considerations are important. […] Treatment and management of visual impairment include: Control of diabetes. This prevents progression of diabetic retinopathy and resulting visual impairment to some extent. However in advanced cases this may be of little help. […] Cataract surgery. In cases of visual impairment due to cataracts, surgery may be opted. Usually an artificial lens is placed within the eye as a replacement of the damaged and clouded lens. This, more often than not restores vision. […] Magnification systems. This is achieved using appropriate lens, reading telescopes or surgical systems etc. Hand magnifiers may also be offered. For improvement of visual fields prisms and mirror systems may be prescribed.

• #1 Blindness | Low Vision | MedlinePlus

  https://medlineplus.gov/visionimpairmentandblindness.html

  Vision impairment is the loss of vision. It includes blindness, which means that you have lost all or most of your sight. It also includes low vision, which means you have some vision, but the vision loss makes it hard to do everyday activities. Low vision can’t be fixed with glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery. […] Low vision is permanent. Glasses, medicine, and surgery can’t cure low vision. But sometimes they can improve your vision, help you do everyday activities more easily, or keep your remaining vision. […] Your treatment options will depend on the condition that caused your low vision. Ask your eye doctor which treatments might help you. They may recommend vision aids or vision rehabilitation, which might make everyday activities easier. […] Vision rehabilitation teaches you how to live with your vision loss. It may include: Showing you how to use a magnifying device or screen readers for reading, Helping you set up your home so you can move around more easily, Employment and job training, Assistive devices, like lighting and reading stands.

• #1 Blindness (Vision Impairment): Types, Causes and Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24446-blindness

  Treatment exists for some forms of blindness, depending on the cause and how extensive the eye damage is. […] Medication: Anti-infective drugs treat some forms of blindness caused by infections. […] Cataract surgery: Surgery can treat cataracts successfully in most cases. […] Corneal transplant: A provider may be able to replace your scarred cornea. […] Retinal surgery: A provider may be able to repair damaged retinal tissue with surgery and/or a laser. […] Vitamin supplements: You may be able to reverse the vision loss of xerophthalmia by taking vitamin A. You may need vitamin B or vitamin D supplements to treat vision loss caused by a poor diet.

• #1 Causes of Temporary Blindness and Short-Term Vision Loss

  https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/temporary-blindness-short-term-vision-loss

  Your doctor will probably first give you a corticosteroid, such as prednisone. […] Your doctor may inject corticosteroids to control the inflammation. You may also need another type of drug called an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor or laser treatment to cut the fluid buildup. […] If you have epilepsy, your doctor will recommend treatment to help prevent this and other complications. […] Your MS treatment should help prevent this and other complications.

• #1

  https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-glaucoma

  Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness for people over 60 years old. But blindness from glaucoma can often be prevented with early treatment. […] Glaucoma damage is permanentit cannot be reversed. But medicine and surgery help to stop further damage. To treat glaucoma, your ophthalmologist may use one or more of the following treatments. […] Glaucoma is usually controlled with eyedrop medicine. Used every day, these eye drops lower eye pressure. Some do this by reducing the amount of aqueous fluid the eye makes. Others reduce pressure by helping fluid flow better through the drainage angle. […] There are two main types of laser surgery to treat glaucoma. They help aqueous drain from the eye. These procedures are usually done in the ophthalmologists office or an outpatient surgery center.

• #1 Azthena logo with the word Azthena

  https://www.news-medical.net/health/Treatment-of-visual-impairment.aspx

  Glaucoma medications in eye drops are prescribed to control glaucoma. […] At present there are no cures for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) especially of the dry variety. For the wet AMD there are therapies that help to stop the progression. These include Photodynamic therapy. […] Some new types of medications called Anti-VEGF medication may also be used. One example is Ranibizumab that has recently been approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for use on the NHS.

• #1 The Visually Impaired Patient | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2008/0515/p1431.html

  The Age-Related Eye Disease Study showed that patients with intermediate AMD or advanced AMD in one eye but not the other have a 25 percent lower risk of developing advanced AMD and a 19 percent lower risk of developing vision loss caused by advanced AMD when treated with a high-dose regimen (five to 15 times the Dietary Reference Intake) of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, and zinc; there was less benefit when using zinc or antioxidants alone. […] Early diagnosis and treatment is important because vision loss can be prevented. […] Glaucoma is managed with topical ocular medications (i.e., prostaglandins, beta blockers, adrenergics, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and, less commonly, miotics), oral medications, laser therapy, and filtering surgery. […] Cataracts are initially managed by altering prescriptions for eyeglasses or contacts, tobacco cessation, and UV protection.

• #1

  https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-glaucoma

  Some glaucoma surgery is done in an operating room. It creates a new drainage channel for the aqueous humor to leave the eye. […] Treating glaucoma successfully is a team effort between you and your doctor. Your ophthalmologist will prescribe your glaucoma treatment. It is up to you to follow your doctors instructions and use your eye drops.

• #1 The Visually Impaired Patient | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2008/0515/p1431.html

  The risk of retinopathy increases with duration of diabetes; however, early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes can prevent up to 98 percent of severe vision loss. […] Photocoagulation is indicated in many of these patients, as it is in those with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. […] In addition to specific disease prevention and treatment, some patients may benefit from vision-enhancing devices. […] A key factor in the use of vision-enhancing devices is that considerable practice is required to use them effectively.

• #1 Blindness and vision loss – UF Health

  https://ufhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/blindness-and-vision-loss

  Contact an ophthalmologist or go to the emergency room immediately. Most serious forms of vision loss are painless, and the absence of pain in no way diminishes the urgent need to get medical care. Many forms of vision loss only give you a short amount of time to be successfully treated. […] Your health care provider will do a complete eye exam. The treatment will depend on the cause of the vision loss. […] For long-term vision loss, see a low-vision specialist, who can help you learn to care for yourself and live a full life. […] People with partial vision loss can use low vision aids to help them continue to read and perform other tasks that use near vision. Low vision aids include magnifiers, binoculars, high power reading glasses, and electronic video magnifiers.

• #1 Can Blindness Be Cured?

  https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/can-blindness-be-cured

  Researchers are optimistic about a number of new therapies, though. These include: […] Gene therapy is a promising treatment thats currently under investigation to treat the causes of vision loss and even restore sight. […] While many of these ideas show promise, many of these therapies are still in various stages of clinical trials or regulatory approval and are not yet available. […] Theres no current cure for blindness. But treatments can offer help for some people, depending on the cause and progression of their vision loss. New treatments in various phases of development also offer hope, including gene and stem cell therapies.

• #1 Gene Therapy & Clinical Trials to Treat Vision Loss | Fighting Blindness Canada

  https://www.fightingblindness.ca/resources/genetherapy/

  When it comes to innovative therapies for treating eye diseases no approach has gained more attention than gene therapy. The purpose of gene therapy is to try and change how the cell is acting by putting in a new gene or replacing a broken gene. Gene therapy is at the forefront of new treatments for inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) like retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or Stargardt disease, which are caused by a broken or mutated gene. Gene therapy is also being explored for other types of vision loss, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and corneal eye disease. […] In gene replacement a new gene is introduced into a cell to replace a broken gene. This form of gene therapy is being used for many IRDs and is the basis of the first approved gene therapy called Luxturna.

• #1 Gene Therapy & Clinical Trials to Treat Vision Loss | Fighting Blindness Canada

  https://www.fightingblindness.ca/resources/genetherapy/

  In gene editing, molecular scissors are used to edit a broken gene by cutting out the mutation. This form of gene therapy is being studied as a treatment for IRDs, including RP, LCA and Usher syndrome. […] Scientists are developing gene therapies that are neuroprotective meaning that genes are introduced to retinal cells that stop them from dying. […] Clinical trials are testing if genes can be introduced into retinal cells which instruct cells to produce their own anti-VEGF. These trials are trying to turn retinal cells into little anti-VEGF factories with the goal of reducing the need for frequent injections. […] Luxturna is the first approved treatment for an IRD in Canada. It is also available in the US and Europe. Luxturna is a gene therapy for individuals with RP or LCA who have mutations in both copies of the RPE65 gene. The therapy is not a cure but can improve vision and may slow the progression of vision loss. […] There are many new gene therapies being studied for different types of vision loss, many of which are being tested in patients in clinical trials.

• #1 Can Blindness Be Cured?

  https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/can-blindness-be-cured

  No, theres no cure for blindness currently. But treatments can help restore some vision loss for certain people, depending on the cause and progression of their vision loss. […] Laser therapies, vision correction surgeries, genetic engineering, and stem cell therapies all hold promise for the treatment of a variety of vision problems. However, not all causes of blindness can be cured or even treated to help restore vision through laser treatment, correction surgery, genetic engineering, or stem cell therapy. […] For most of these conditions, laser therapy or surgery can offer some relief or even reverse vision loss. In some cases, these treatments may just help to prevent additional disease progression or vision loss. […] In terms of cures, there are new gene therapies that have been designed to treat some of these conditions. One example is a specific form of retinal dystrophy caused by a mutation in the RPE65 gene. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a treatment in 2017 called Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec-rzyl) that delivers a replacement of the mutated gene directly to retinal tissues.

• #1 Stem Cell Therapy & Clinical Trials to treat Vision Loss – Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC)

  https://www.fightingblindness.ca/resources/stem-cell-therapy-for-vision-loss/

  Stem cell therapy is used to repair or replace damaged cells or tissues. Researchers are studying if stem cell therapy can treat many different kinds of eye disease, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), glaucoma, and corneal diseases. […] There is a lot of excitement about stem cell therapy as a treatment for vision loss because a single stem cell therapy may be able to treat different eye diseases. Stem cell therapy could also be useful for individuals whose disease is very advanced and there is a lot of cell damage. […] Examples of how stem cells are being used and tested as treatments for vision loss: Corneal limbal stem cells from a donor or the patients other eye have been used as a treatment for some types of corneal damage or disease.

• #1 Stem Cell Therapy & Clinical Trials to treat Vision Loss – Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC)

  https://www.fightingblindness.ca/resources/stem-cell-therapy-for-vision-loss/

  There are currently a few clinical trials testing if adult stem cells such as retinal progenitor cells could be a treatment for retinitis pigmentosa. […] Laboratories around the world are also studying many different types of stem cell therapy for a number of eye diseases. For example, researchers are studying if stem cells can be used to replace damaged cells in the optic nerve for glaucoma or are trying to combine stem cell therapy with other innovative treatments like gene therapy for wet AMD.

• #1 The eye and stem cells: the path to treating blindness | Eurostemcell

  https://www.eurostemcell.org/eye-and-stem-cells-path-treating-blindness

  One way to treat these diseases would be to replace the damaged RPE cells with transplanted healthy cells. […] The safety of embryonic stem cell-derived RPE cells has been tested in phase I/II clinical trials for patients with Stargardts macular dystrophy, and for those affected by AMD by a stem cell biotech company called Advanced Cell Technologies. […] Replacement of damaged RPE cells will only be effective in patients who still have at least part of a working retina, and therefore some level of vision (i.e. at early stages of the disease). […] Stem cell technology holds great potential for improving the lives of people who suffer from visual disorders. A number of studies are currently being undertaken in order to develop new therapies to treat, and/or prevent a loss of vision.

• #1 The eye and stem cells: the path to treating blindness | Eurostemcell

  https://www.eurostemcell.org/eye-and-stem-cells-path-treating-blindness

  Current and Potential Uses Factsheets Eye Disease […] Loss of vision can have a huge impact on a persons life, but many of the disorders that cause blindness are currently difficult or impossible to treat. Researchers are now using stem cell technology to explore possible new approaches to treatments for loss of vision. […] Treatments for most disorders that cause vision loss are difficult or not yet possible. […] Holoclar is currently the only clinically approved stem cell treatment for the eye. This treatment restores vision to patients with damaged corneas (the clear outermost part of the eye) by transplanting lab-grown limbal stem cells into areas of the eye lacking these cells. […] Researchers are studying how transplants of retinal pigment epithelial cells made with pluripotent stem cells might prevent vision loss in patients with diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.

• #1 Race to a cure for blindness | TIME

  https://time.com/4026658/blindness-cure-treatment/

  Scientists have long known that while our eyes do most of the heavy lifting of sighttaking in particles of light, bending and refracting them, turning them into electrical impulseswe actually see with our brains. […] This has led to a number of major advances in the treatment of blindness using implants, gene therapy and stem cells. […] The Argus IIa kind of retinal prosthesis system, or bionic eyewas approved by the FDA in February 2013. […] Stem-cell treatments replenish the supply of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells that bring nutrients to the retina. […] Gene therapy for blindness is an experimental treatment in which nonmutated genes that produce a protein necessary for photoreceptors to work are injected into the eye. […] Doctors inject into the eye a harmless virus that carries healthy genes into the retina and improves vision over time.

• #1 Low Vision | National Eye Institute

  https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/low-vision

  Treatment: Vision aids, vision rehabilitation […] Unfortunately, low vision is usually permanent. Eyeglasses, medicine, and surgery cant usually cure low vision but sometimes they can improve vision, help you do everyday activities more easily, or keep your vision from getting worse. […] Treatment options will depend on the specific eye condition that caused your low vision. Ask your doctor if there are any treatments that could improve your vision or help protect your remaining vision. […] If your vision loss is getting in the way of everyday activities, ask your eye doctor about vision rehabilitation. A specialist can help you learn how to live with your vision loss. This can include things like: Training on how to use a magnifying device for reading, Guidance for setting up your home so you can move around easily, Sharing resources to help you cope with your vision loss.

• #1 Low Vision and Vision Rehabilitation | AOA

  https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/low-vision-and-vision-rehab

  Few people are totally without sight. Most people who are classified as „blind” actually have remaining sight. Thanks to developments in low vision rehabilitation, they can enhance their visual function and improve their quality of life. […] Vision rehabilitation maximizes visual functioning, so the patient can achieve their visual goals and improve the quality of their life. A patient’s individual rehabilitation plan may include prescription glasses or contact lenses, optical and electronic magnification devices, assistive technology, glare control with therapeutic filters, contrast enhancement, eccentric viewing, visual field enhancement, non-optical options and referral for additional services with other professionals. […] Low vision rehabilitation is the standard of care for people that have vision loss. If you, or someone you know, suffers from a vision impairment, ask your doctor of optometry about low vision rehabilitation. A doctor of optometry who provides low-vision rehabilitative services can help people with low vision regain their independence and improve their quality of life. […] Help is available today. Find out from a doctor of optometry how low-vision rehabilitation can make all the difference in your daily life.

• #1 Vision loss after stroke fact sheet | Stroke Foundation – Australia

  https://strokefoundation.org.au/what-we-do/for-survivors-and-carers/after-stroke-factsheets/vision-loss-after-stroke-fact-sheet

  About one-third of stroke survivors experience vision loss. Most people who have vision loss after a stroke do not fully recover their vision. Some recovery is possible this will usually happen in the first few months after a stroke. Training, equipment and home modifications can help you to live as independently and safely as possible. […] Most people who have vision loss after a stroke will not fully recover their vision. Some recovery is possible, usually in the first few months after a stroke. Glasses or contact lenses generally will not help vision loss due to stroke. […] Ophthalmologists, orthoptists, doctors and occupational therapists can advise on the best management for you. Therapy may include training to compensate for the vision loss. This includes scanning techniques which make the most use of your existing vision.

• #1 What Is Low Vision Rehabilitation? – Living Well With Low Vision

  https://lowvision.preventblindness.org/what-is-low-vision-rehabilitation/

  Training sessions will be scheduled, typically twice a week for six weeks, with each session lasting one or two hours. The first session will yield a list of personal visual goals that will give direction to the training. These goals are in the areas of activities of daily living (often called independent living skills), computer use, and counseling. […] Vocational rehabilitation might be part of the program if the client needs to remain employed. If that is the case, several psychometric assessments would be made to evaluate current skills as they relate to the employment. If the clients condition is severe enough, orientation and mobility training might also be included. […] The client will learn that magnification of both near and distant images can improve visual function in nearly everyone with central vision loss. A variety of magnification devices, both optical and non-optical, will be introduced. In order to select the most appropriate low vision devices, the specialists will identify exactly what tasks the client wants to accomplish, analyze the clients fine and gross motor skills to confirm his or her ability to operate the low vision devices, determine which eye is dominant, determine whether monocular or binocular vision would be better, determine whether the client would benefit from practicing eccentric (off-center) viewing, and determine if illuminated magnifiers are necessary.

• #1 Vision loss – occupational therapy | Better Health Channel

  https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/vision-loss-occupational-therapy

  Occupational therapy for children and adults with vision impairment offers new strategies and alternative methods of completing activities of daily living. […] Orientation and mobility instruction helps the vision-impaired individual to move confidently, safely and independently in their environments. […] Occupational therapy for children and adults with vision impairment aims to maximise existing skills and offer alternative, easier ways to do things. […] Occupational therapy services offered by vision impairment organisations, such as Guide Dogs Victoria, are available for people of all ages and with all degrees of vision loss. […] Occupational therapy can be offered together with a specialised range of mobility programs. Orientation and mobility instruction helps the vision-impaired individual to move confidently, safely and independently in their environments, including home, school, workplaces and the local neighbourhood.

• #1 What Is Low Vision Rehabilitation? – Living Well With Low Vision

  https://lowvision.preventblindness.org/what-is-low-vision-rehabilitation/

  People with a constricted visual field might expect to be introduced to scanning therapy and devices such as visual field awareness prisms and reverse telescopes. People with severe vision loss should expect to receive orientation and mobility training, occupational therapy, and information about animal guides and occupational therapy. […] In addition to these skills, vision rehabilitation specialists teach how to manage daily activities such as adapting the home for safety and navigation, improving lighting conditions, preparing meals, labeling medications, clothing, and appliances, writing, keeping financial records, personal grooming, using magnifiers for easier reading, and systematizing shopping and payment at the register. […] There are some very good reasons for low vision rehabilitation, the most important being increased physical and psychological health. Research has shown that people with low vision tend to have more emotional difficulties and a higher risk of accidents than normally-sighted individuals. Patients who have undergone rehabilitation, however, have reported significant improvements in their functional abilities, a high rate of continued use of low vision devices, improvement in reading and distance vision, and general satisfaction with the quality of life.

• #1 Vision Rehabilitation Services – ConnectCenter

  https://aphconnectcenter.org/visionaware/professionals/understanding-vision-rehabilitation/vision-rehabilitation-services/

  The term vision rehabilitation includes a wide range of professional services that can restore functioning after declining vision, just as physical therapy restores function after a stroke or other injury. Vision rehabilitation services allow people who have recently lost vision, are blind, or have low vision to continue to live independently and maintain their accustomed quality of life. […] Although your eye doctor is the professional youll likely turn to first when dealing with your own or a family members declining vision, its important to note that many different kinds of vision rehabilitation services are available in addition to the eye care provided by your family doctor, ophthalmologist, optometrist, or low vision specialist. […] Vision rehabilitation services for adults who have recently lost vision, are blind, or have low vision are provided by a team of specially trained professionals, which may include low vision therapists, vision rehabilitation therapists, and orientation and mobility specialists:

• #1 Vision Rehabilitation Services – ConnectCenter

  https://aphconnectcenter.org/visionaware/professionals/understanding-vision-rehabilitation/vision-rehabilitation-services/

  Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVTs and SCLVs) instruct individuals to use their remaining vision efficiently with optical devices, non-optical devices, and assistive technology. […] Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRTs) teach adaptive independent living skills, enabling adults who are blind or have low vision to carry out a range of daily activities confidently. […] Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS or OMs) teach the skills and concepts that people who are blind or have low vision need to travel independently and safely in the home and the community. […] Communication skills: reading and writing, braille, and assistive computer technology […] Independent living and personal management skills: home modifications, home repairs, self-care, financial management, recreation and leisure activities, and using the telephone

• #1 Vision Rehabilitation Services – ConnectCenter

  https://aphconnectcenter.org/visionaware/professionals/understanding-vision-rehabilitation/vision-rehabilitation-services/

  Independent movement and travel skills: moving about safely indoors, using transportation, and traveling safely outdoors with a long white cane or other device […] Low vision evaluations and training with low-vision devices: the low vision examination, bioptics for driving, low vision optical devices, and non-optical devices, such as held magnifiers, special reading glasses, telescopes, and high-intensity lamps that can make the best use of remaining vision […] Vocational rehabilitation: Getting back to work after blindness/ low vision or breaking into the workplace as a job seeker with blindness or low vision, including vocational evaluation and training, job training, job modification and restructuring, and job placement. […] Many vision rehabilitation professionals hold graduate degrees in their areas of expertise. In addition, many also hold specialized certifications.

• #1 Blindness | Low Vision | MedlinePlus

  https://medlineplus.gov/visionimpairmentandblindness.html

  The sooner vision loss or eye disease is found and treated, the greater your chances of keeping your remaining vision. Whatever the cause, lost vision cannot be restored. But it can be managed. […] If you have some vision: Visual aids such as magnifiers, Telescopic glasses or monoculars for seeing distance, Large print books, Clocks with larger numbers, Brighter lights, Anti-glare sunglasses or glare shields. […] If you have no vision (blindness): Devices like text-reading software and braille books.

• #1 Blindness and vision loss

  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vision-loss/

  These measurements will help your ophthalmologist determine whether you’re eligible to be certified as sight impaired or severely sight impaired. […] After you’re registered, social services will contact you again to arrange for an assessment to be carried out. The aim is to assess your needs and find out what help you require to remain independent, such as help with cleaning and cooking, or help with mobility and transport. […] Most visually impaired people can continue to live at home. However, you’ll probably need to make some changes to your home, particularly if you live on your own. […] Below is a list of some important pieces of equipment you may find useful. […] One of the simplest options is to use a magnifying device that can make print appear bigger to help you read. […] The RNIB also has a collection of large-print publications you can borrow, as do most libraries.

• #1 Blindness and vision loss

  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vision-loss/

  You can also install screen-reading software on your computer that will read out emails, documents and text on the internet. […] Some people with severe sight loss, particularly those who’ve had the problem from a young age, choose to learn Braille. […] Guide Dogs has been providing guide dogs for people with vision loss for many years. Guide dogs can help you get around, and provide both a sense of independence and companionship. […] If you apply for a guide dog, Guide Dogs provide all the essential equipment free of charge and can also offer financial assistance if needed for things like food or vet costs. […] Technology to help you live well and safely with sight loss is developing all the time. […] Access to Work is a scheme run by Jobcentre Plus that provides advice and support about what equipment and adjustments may be required to enable you to do your job.

• #1 7 Tips for Clinicians with Vision Impaired Patientsarrow-dropdownarrow-scrollsearchfacebookinstagramlinkedinyoutube

  https://foxrehab.org/low-vision-patient-adjustments-clinicians/

  Encourage patients to switch to large print items such as books or utilize handheld magnifiers to help with any tasks involving numbers or reading small print. […] Utilize lampshades and window shears to reduce glare on the floor. […] Tactile markers can be used on a variety of household items. […] A variety of talking devices can be used in order to facilitate the use of auditory cues. […] Patients can be taught a variety of organizational strategies to facilitate functional performance despite any visual conditions. […] One of the most evidence-based ways to address occupational performance in individuals with low vision is to teach them problem-solving skills. […] Visual conditions can manifest in many different ways.

• #1 Vision loss: Symptoms, causes, and treatments

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/vision-loss

  Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that causes vision loss and blindness in people with diabetes. […] Treatment may involve medication, laser treatment, or surgery. […] It can be difficult to cope with vision loss, especially if the loss is permanent. […] A healthcare provider can help direct people to the appropriate resources. […] The American Foundation for the Blind provides some resources to help people manage new vision loss. […] Ways to cope with partial or total vision loss can include: rearranging the home to make it easier to navigate, applying for Social Security assistance, talking therapy, joining a support group, learning Braille, using a guide dog. […] It is not always possible to prevent loss of vision, though people can take steps to look after their eye health.

• #1 7 Tips for Clinicians with Vision Impaired Patientsarrow-dropdownarrow-scrollsearchfacebookinstagramlinkedinyoutube

  https://foxrehab.org/low-vision-patient-adjustments-clinicians/

  Several visual conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy may be seen in the older adult population. […] Low vision is defined as, “permanent loss of vision that cannot be corrected by eyeglasses, contact lenses, medication or surgical intervention or interferes with the performance of common age-appropriate seeing tasks.” […] Therefore, it is important to be prepared to address visual conditions because of how they interfere with participation in the home environment. […] As occupational and physical therapists, we are qualified to help patients make changes in their homes and environments to reduce the impact that these visual conditions may have on their participation. […] Making changes to lighting can help improve performance and quality of life in the home.

• #1 Adjusting to Vision Loss Counseling – MAB Community Services

  https://www.mabcommunity.org/adjusting-to-vision-loss-counseling/

  Our Adjustment Counselors can help you understand and work through the process of grief associated with vision loss and develop strategies for coping with the physiological and emotional challenges. […] If you are having difficulty coping with vision loss, we invite you to sign up for MABVIs counseling service to help you move forward on your journey of living well with vision loss. […] As someone who has experienced vision loss herself, she believes that her empathy and understanding make her uniquely qualified to provide therapy for others experiencing vision loss and their loved ones. […] Selma performs individual, couples, and group therapy and prefers to work with people in their homes. […] Marcia has over 25 years of experience helping people with depression, anxiety, grief, panic disorders and vision loss.

• #1 Vision Loss Resources: Treatment, Support, and Services

  https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/vision-loss-resources

  Getting an early diagnosis can also give you time to work with a low vision specialist who can provide adjustment strategies and daily living solutions. […] An occupational therapist (OT) can help you with vision rehabilitation. Your OT will work with you to create a vision plan that lets you remain employed and participate in activities you enjoy. […] Whether your vision loss is due to an inherited disorder, a degenerative condition, or trauma, your OT can teach you visual exercises to improve your ability to focus near and far, improve eye muscle motility, adapt to lost portions of your visual field. […] These exercises may reduce eyestrain and help improve your sight. […] Many local and regional organizations offer peer-to-peer support groups, low vision training, and other vision loss resources.

• #1 Adjusting to Vision Loss is Difficult – CVI Can Help – Center for the Visually Impaired

  https://cviga.org/adjusting-to-vision-loss-is-difficult-cvi-can-help/

  Adjustment Counseling can help those facing vision loss. […] Thankfully, all of this is addressable with time and careful work. […] Addressing the specific symptoms of depression, anxiety, and grief can lead to motivation and follow-through regarding education, training, and tools. […] As a therapist, I impress upon my clients that it is their goals that drive our work. […] Even when working with folks who have lost the ability to drive, this metaphor still applies. […] Adult and high school age clients, as well as support group participants, may be eligible to receive up to ten sessions of adjustment counseling with Matt Reeves. […] Adjustment counseling support is available to CVI clients for $25 per session; clients receiving financial assistance will pay only $5 per session.

• #1 Request Help from the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

  https://www.pa.gov/services/dli/request-help-from-the-bureau-of-blindness-and-visual-services.html

  BBVS helps Pennsylvanians with vision loss gain skills for independent living and employment in their communities. […] BBVS specializes in services for individuals whose primary disability is vision loss that has impacted functionality at home, in the community, or at their job. […] BBVS offers support for individuals with visual impairments. […] BBVS helps individuals prepare for or maintain employment. Services, tailored to each individual’s employment goals, include: Counseling, Vocational assessments, Assistive technology, Training for independent living skills, Training for orientation and mobility skills, Career and college training, Job placement. […] BBVS supports adults in becoming more independent at home and in their communities through counseling, training, and adaptive equipment.

• #1 Blindness and vision loss

  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vision-loss/

  They also offer a grant to contribute towards the costs of any equipment or training you may need, such as voice recognition software, a Braille keyboard and display unit and a printer that can convert text into Braille (Braille embossers). […] If you have vision loss, it’s still important to have regular sight tests so your optometrist (eye specialist) can check for further changes in your eyes and give you advice about how to make the best use of your vision.

• #1 Request Help from the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

  https://www.pa.gov/services/dli/request-help-from-the-bureau-of-blindness-and-visual-services.html

  BBVS can pay for up to $175 for an exam. […] BBVS Social Workers work with children and their families to provide the following services as needed: Adaptive equipment, Advocacy for educational services, Low vision services, Rehabilitation Teaching, Counseling and guidance, Community Orientation and Mobility instruction, Childrens summer programs, Transition services (assisting the student with transition from school to post-secondary education or employment by coordinating with BBVS VRC).

• #1 Why Vision Loss Is a Public Health Problem | Vision and Eye Health | CDC

  https://www.cdc.gov/vision-health/about-eye-disorders/vision-loss-public-health-problem.html

  Over 3.4 million Americans aged 40 years and older are blind or visually impaired, which is expected to double by 2030. […] Early detection and treatment can prevent blindness and vision impairment. […] Research shows that early detection and treatment can prevent blindness and vision impairment. […] Screening and treatment for common eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma are available. […] Public health actions help to expand access to prevention and treatment for vision loss.

• #1 Blindness and vision loss: MedlinePlus Medical EncyclopediaLock

  https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003040.htm

  Blindness is a lack of vision. It may also refer to a loss of vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. […] Vision loss refers to the partial or complete loss of vision. This vision loss may happen suddenly or over a period of time. […] Some types of vision loss never lead to complete blindness. […] When you have low vision, you may have trouble driving, reading, or doing small tasks such as sewing or making crafts. You can make changes in your home and routines that help you stay safe and independent. Many services will provide you with the training and support you need to live independently, including the use of low vision aids. […] Sudden vision loss is always an emergency, even if you have not completely lost vision. You should never ignore vision loss, thinking it will get better. […] Your health care provider will do a complete eye exam. The treatment will depend on the cause of the vision loss. […] For long-term vision loss, see a low-vision specialist, who can help you learn to care for yourself and live a full life.

• #1 10 Tips to Protect Your Vision and Prevent Blindness

  https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/10-essential-facts-about-your-eyes/

  Regular eye exams are the only way to catch a variety of vision problems, including diseases such as glaucoma, which has no symptoms in its early stages but is a leading cause of blindness for people older than 60, according to the AAO. […] AMD, a leading cause of vision loss in people over 50, can also begin without any symptoms in the earliest stages, but can be detected during a comprehensive eye exam, per the AAO. […] Quitting smoking may lower your risk for both AMD and cataracts, and if you already have AMD, quitting may slow the progression of the disease. […] Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, according to the CDC. […] This common eye disease occurs when high blood sugar damages blood vessels in the retina, which can stop blood flow and lead to blurry vision.

• #1 Vision loss: Symptoms, causes, and treatments

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/vision-loss

  Getting regular eye exams, knowing your risk for eye diseases, eating well, and quitting smoking can also help protect the eyes. […] Vision loss can have many causes. Temporary causes include migraine and conjunctivitis. Medical conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy and AMD, can lead to permanent vision loss. […] Early diagnosis and treatment of eye problems are the best ways to keep the eyes healthy, and it is important to seek medical attention if vision loss occurs.

• #1 Blindness, Low Vision, and Vision Impairment: A Guide for Older Adults

  https://www.ncoa.org/article/living-well-with-blindness-low-vision-and-vision-impairment/

  A low vision exam is different from a general eye exam in that it typically begins with an in-depth discussion about goals and specific challenges encountered when performing a broad range of everyday activities. […] Effective treatment of these and other medical conditions can maximize eye health and protect sight. […] The good news is that agencies across the US offer a broad range of life-changing vision rehabilitation programs and training, enabling adults with low vision to live richer, more rewarding, and independent lives. […] Help is a click or phone call away. If you or someone you care for is facing life challenges due to blindness or low vision, schedule an eye exam today!

• #1 Clinical Trials for Eye Diseases and Vision – Prevent Blindness

  https://preventblindness.org/clinical-trials-for-eye-diseases-and-vision/

  Clinical trials for eye diseases and treatments (clinical trials for ophthalmology) are conducted in four phases, during which rigid standards must be followed under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines: […] Participation in a clinical trial for eye disease or vision will not guarantee improvement of your eye disease or condition. Sometimes, the hoped-for results do not occur. […] By becoming an active participant in a clinical trial for eye disease, you are helping to blaze the trail toward a new treatment, and potentially a cure. Your participation in clinical trials is valued and a positive way you can personally contribute to better vision health for the future.

• #1 New gene therapy treatment boosts quest for vision loss cures | Blindness and visual impairment | The Guardian

  https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/28/blindness-gene-therapy-treatment-oxford-university

  Groundbreaking gene therapy has restored some vision to patients who were going blind. […] University of Oxford researchers hope the findings of the small study will lead to potential cures for common causes of vision loss, including genetic-related macular degeneration, which affects thousands of people in the UK. […] The treatment involved injecting a harmless virus carrying a properly functioning copy of the CHM gene directly into the retinas light-sensitive cells in six patients. […] They hope it will pave the way for a single-treatment cure for many types of inherited blindness, including retinitis pigmentosa. […] Prof Robert MacLaren, the lead investigator of the study, said: There have recently been questions about the long term efficacy of gene therapy, but now we have unequivocal proof that the effects following a single injection of viral vector [carrying the genes] are sustained.

• #1 ARPA-H program aims to restore sight to people who are blind | ARPA-H

  https://arpa-h.gov/news-and-events/arpa-h-program-aims-restore-sight-people-who-are-blind

  Program aims to transplant human eyes and reestablish visual connection to the brain. The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced the Transplantation of Human Eye Allografts (THEA) program, which intends to transplant whole human eyes to restore vision for the blind and visually impaired. While there are therapies to slow the progression of vision loss, there are currently none that restore sight. THEA aims to address this issue, as it would transplant the whole donor eye and reconnect the nerves, muscles, and blood vessels to the brain so that the eye can function for sight. However, very recent discoveries in vision science and neuroscience may now help solve the hurdles of reattaching the donor eyes optic nerve to the recipient, says ARPA-H THEA Program Manager Calvin Roberts, M.D. To accomplish eye transplant surgery and healing, THEA will leverage emerging microsurgical techniques, coupled with genetic and cell-based therapies, to preserve or regrow nerves from the eye to the brain. These regenerative solutions could help prevent degenerative blindness and are a critical step towards successful whole eye transplantation to restore vision. THEA intends to test and evaluate the best therapies to repair damaged nerves, to maintain critical structures in the eye, such as the retina and optic nerve viable after damage, and to prevent postoperative inflammation or rejection.

• #1 Ultrasound stimulates blind retina, suggests hope for noninvasive therapy for vision loss

  https://www.modernretina.com/view/ultrasound-stimulates-blind-retina-suggests-hope-for-noninvasive-therapy-for-vision-loss

  Researchers at the University of Southern California have stimulated the retinas of blind mice using focused ultrasound technology. […] While there are no successful non-invasive therapeutics currently available for the treatment of vision loss, researchers at USC have come up with a new idea to address this growing problem. […] The technology is advantageous since no surgery is required and no device will be implanted inside the body, Gengxi Lu, a PhD student in Zhou’s lab, said in the news release. A wearable ultrasound device will generate ultrasound waves to stimulate the retina. […] The neurons present in the retina of the eye possess mechanically sensitive channels that respond to mechanical stimulation, Lu explained. These neurons are activated when we use ultrasound to generate mechanical pressure.

• #1 How far away is a cure for blindness?

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/291090

  The eye lends itself to experimental treatments, being easy to operate on and often protected from inflammatory responses that could disrupt therapies. […] Dr. Iezzi stated that at Mayo Clinic they are currently working on new methods to grow stem cells from a patients own tissue samples; a regenerative approach that could one day lead to the restoration of sight to people that have lost it. […] There is a form of treatment, however, that has led to the restoration of vision in patients with advanced forms of retinal degeneration disorders. […] In patients who have already lost their sight, our therapeutic goal is to restore vision, said Dr. Iezzi. This has been successfully accomplished via the Argus II retinal prosthesis in patients with advanced retinitis pigmentosa. […] While this technology restores rudimentary vision, eventually as these devices improve, we may one day be able to treat patients with advanced macular disease such as Stargardt macular dystrophy or age-related macular degeneration, Dr. Iezzi suggested. […] WHO state that over the past 20 years there has been significant progress in preventing and curing visual impairment in many countries around the world.

• #1 Department of Human Services – Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired | Project BEST:

  https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/cbvi/services/prevention/

  Do you want to help prevent blindness and unnecessary vision loss? […] National Researchers say: 50% of all cases of blindness or severe vision loss could have been prevented by early detection of disorders and the appropriate follow-up care. […] The NJ Department of Human Services, Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired believes that every resident of NJ has the right of access to services that will prevent or limit the impact of vision loss. […] CBVIs Project BEST program works to save sight and restore vision whenever it is medically possible. Services include: mobile eye examination unit; vision screening for preschool and school-age children; monthly or semi-monthly eye screenings at more than 28 fixed sites all over the state; on-site screening at institutions and in communities; special diabetic detection and awareness programs; and other specialized eye screening programs which target historically underserved populations (i.e. minorities, the elderly, migrant farm workers, etc.)

• #1 Department of Human Services – Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired | Project BEST:

  https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/cbvi/services/prevention/

  Project BEST also provides follow-up services to individuals who need further eye evaluations or eye care services, and who have no health insurance, and do not qualify for other state programs. […] With this service, we have been able to prevent permanent vision loss in many cases and improve the quality of life in others.

• #2 How far away is a cure for blindness?

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/291090

  Losing eyesight is a common problem, be it due to the process of aging or the development of a specific condition. The good news is that 80% of visual impairment can be prevented or cured, but what of the remaining 20%? […] Retinal degeneration disorders have no cure. These diseases break down the retina, the layer of tissue found at the back of the eye containing cells that detect light entering the organ. […] In patients whose vision is still good, therapeutic approaches can be directed at neuroprotection or gene therapy. […] By protecting cells within the retina from death associated with the underlying biochemical disorder, we may preserve sight among large populations of patients, explained Dr. Iezzi. […] Gene therapy focuses instead on correcting the biochemical abnormalities that lead to the death of retina cells.

• #2 Blindness | Low Vision | MedlinePlus

  https://medlineplus.gov/visionimpairmentandblindness.html

  The sooner vision loss or eye disease is found and treated, the greater your chances of keeping your remaining vision. Whatever the cause, lost vision cannot be restored. But it can be managed. […] If you have some vision: Visual aids such as magnifiers, Telescopic glasses or monoculars for seeing distance, Large print books, Clocks with larger numbers, Brighter lights, Anti-glare sunglasses or glare shields. […] If you have no vision (blindness): Devices like text-reading software and braille books.

• #2 visual impairment and Effective treatment

  https://www.magrabihealth.com/blog/visual-impairment-and-effective-treatment

  Vision loss from optic neuritis is usually temporary and gets better on its own after several weeks or months without treatment, Unfortunately in some cases, the loss of vision may be permanent. […] For other symptoms, if they are severe, that is, if they involve both eyes, the doctor may prescribe steroid medications that help speed up the treatment process, but do not treat the eye itself. […] Sometimes the doctor may prescribe other medications, such as intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), or vitamin B12 injections.

• #2 Glaucoma – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/glaucoma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372846

  The damage caused by glaucoma can’t be reversed. But treatment and regular checkups can help slow or prevent vision loss, especially if the disease is found in its early stages. […] Treatment of glaucoma aims to lower intraocular pressure. Treatment options include prescription eye drops, oral medicines, laser treatment, surgery or a combination of approaches. […] Eye drops alone may not bring eye pressure down to the desired level. So an eye doctor also may prescribe oral medicine. This medicine is usually a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. […] Other treatment options include laser therapy and surgery. The following techniques may help to drain fluid within the eye and lower eye pressure: […] Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency. If you’re diagnosed with this condition, you’ll need urgent treatment to reduce the pressure in your eye. This generally will require treatment with medicine and a laser or surgical procedures.

• #2 Vision Loss Resources: Treatment, Support, and Services

  https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/vision-loss-resources

  Several resources are available to help make living with low vision or blindness easier. These include low vision aids, technological products, and support groups and services. […] In this article, we provide information about organizations and support groups for people with vision loss. We also discuss treatments, lifestyle tips, and technological support for people with visual impairment or blindness. […] Treatments for vision loss vary based on the underlying cause. Treatment options for some of the most common drivers of vision loss include the following: glaucoma eyedrops, laser drainage procedures, surgery; age-related macular degeneration (AMD) anti-VEGF injections, photodynamic therapy, vision rehab, laser treatment, surgery; cataracts surgery; diabetic retinopathy anti-VEGF injections, laser treatment, surgery.

• #2 Visual Impairment (for Teens) | Nemours KidsHealth

  https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/visual-impairment.html

  Many people have some type of visual problem at some point in their lives. Some can no longer see objects far away. Others have problems reading small print. These types of conditions are often easily treated with eyeglasses or contact lenses. […] But when one or more parts of the eye or brain that are needed to process images become diseased or damaged, severe or total loss of vision can occur. In these cases, vision can’t be fully restored with medical treatment, surgery, or corrective lenses like glasses or contacts. […] If your doctor determines that you have an eye condition that is likely to cause visual impairment, many treatments are available. Options may include eyeglasses, contact lenses, and eye drops or other medicines. […] In some cases, surgery may be required. For instance, cataracts are often treated by removing the clouded lens and replacing it with an intraocular lens (an artificial plastic lens that requires no special care and restores vision).

• #2 Vision loss after stroke fact sheet | Stroke Foundation – Australia

  https://strokefoundation.org.au/what-we-do/for-survivors-and-carers/after-stroke-factsheets/vision-loss-after-stroke-fact-sheet

  Prism lenses can be used to shift images from the non-seeing to the seeing visual field. If you have double vision, a prism to join the images can be placed on glasses, or an eye patch can help by blocking one image. […] You can use eye drops for dry eyes. Your health professional may also recommend taping your eyelids shut, particularly at night. If you have become more sensitive to light (photosensitivity), you can wear sunglasses. […] Vision loss can affect your safety and independence. Training, aids, equipment and modifications can help.

• #2 Gene Therapy & Clinical Trials to Treat Vision Loss | Fighting Blindness Canada

  https://www.fightingblindness.ca/resources/genetherapy/

  In gene editing, molecular scissors are used to edit a broken gene by cutting out the mutation. This form of gene therapy is being studied as a treatment for IRDs, including RP, LCA and Usher syndrome. […] Scientists are developing gene therapies that are neuroprotective meaning that genes are introduced to retinal cells that stop them from dying. […] Clinical trials are testing if genes can be introduced into retinal cells which instruct cells to produce their own anti-VEGF. These trials are trying to turn retinal cells into little anti-VEGF factories with the goal of reducing the need for frequent injections. […] Luxturna is the first approved treatment for an IRD in Canada. It is also available in the US and Europe. Luxturna is a gene therapy for individuals with RP or LCA who have mutations in both copies of the RPE65 gene. The therapy is not a cure but can improve vision and may slow the progression of vision loss. […] There are many new gene therapies being studied for different types of vision loss, many of which are being tested in patients in clinical trials.

• #2 The eye and stem cells: the path to treating blindness | Eurostemcell

  https://www.eurostemcell.org/eye-and-stem-cells-path-treating-blindness

  Many diseases that cause blindness are still not treatable. Researchers are working to understand what causes these diseases, what other types of stem cells reside in the eye and how stem cells might be used to repair or even restore vision to patients. […] Following many years of painstaking research, scientists have now developed a technique whereby limbal stem cells are collected from an adequately healthy donor eye, or from a spared limbal area in bilateral lesions, are expanded in the laboratory to sufficient numbers and transplanted into the damaged eye. Clinical trials have shown that transplantation of limbal stem cells from a healthy eye can repair the cornea and permanently restore vision. […] At present, this is the only available stem cell treatment in the eye that has been proven by clinical trials to work.

• #2 Vision Rehabilitation Services – ConnectCenter

  https://aphconnectcenter.org/visionaware/professionals/understanding-vision-rehabilitation/vision-rehabilitation-services/

  The Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) offers certification for Low Vision Therapists (CLVTs), Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRTs), Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS), and Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists for People with Visual Impairments (CATIS). […] Several self-help and self-study options can help you learn more about vision rehabilitation: […] Your state rehabilitation agency or an online searchable database can help you locate vision rehabilitation agencies in your area and find the best services for you.

• #2 Blindness and vision loss

  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vision-loss/

  These measurements will help your ophthalmologist determine whether you’re eligible to be certified as sight impaired or severely sight impaired. […] After you’re registered, social services will contact you again to arrange for an assessment to be carried out. The aim is to assess your needs and find out what help you require to remain independent, such as help with cleaning and cooking, or help with mobility and transport. […] Most visually impaired people can continue to live at home. However, you’ll probably need to make some changes to your home, particularly if you live on your own. […] Below is a list of some important pieces of equipment you may find useful. […] One of the simplest options is to use a magnifying device that can make print appear bigger to help you read. […] The RNIB also has a collection of large-print publications you can borrow, as do most libraries.

• #2 Blindness and vision loss

  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vision-loss/

  They also offer a grant to contribute towards the costs of any equipment or training you may need, such as voice recognition software, a Braille keyboard and display unit and a printer that can convert text into Braille (Braille embossers). […] If you have vision loss, it’s still important to have regular sight tests so your optometrist (eye specialist) can check for further changes in your eyes and give you advice about how to make the best use of your vision.

• #2 New gene therapy treatment boosts quest for vision loss cures | Blindness and visual impairment | The Guardian

  https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/28/blindness-gene-therapy-treatment-oxford-university

  Gene therapy is a new technique in medicine that has great potential. […] MacLaren said: In this case, success in getting a treatment effect that lasts at least several years was achieved because the viral DNA had an optimal design and the viral vector was delivered into the correct place, using advanced surgical techniques. […] Dr Stephen Caddick, director of innovation at the Wellcome Trust, which helped fund the study, said: To permanently restore sight to people with inherited blindness would be a remarkable medical achievement. […] This is the first time weve seen what appears to be a permanent change in vision after just one round of treatment. […] The advances made in genetic therapies are extremely encouraging for people living with inherited eye conditions.

• #2 The Visually Impaired Patient | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2008/0515/p1431.html

  The Age-Related Eye Disease Study showed that patients with intermediate AMD or advanced AMD in one eye but not the other have a 25 percent lower risk of developing advanced AMD and a 19 percent lower risk of developing vision loss caused by advanced AMD when treated with a high-dose regimen (five to 15 times the Dietary Reference Intake) of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, and zinc; there was less benefit when using zinc or antioxidants alone. […] Early diagnosis and treatment is important because vision loss can be prevented. […] Glaucoma is managed with topical ocular medications (i.e., prostaglandins, beta blockers, adrenergics, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and, less commonly, miotics), oral medications, laser therapy, and filtering surgery. […] Cataracts are initially managed by altering prescriptions for eyeglasses or contacts, tobacco cessation, and UV protection.

• #2 Stem Cell Therapy & Clinical Trials to treat Vision Loss – Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC)

  https://www.fightingblindness.ca/resources/stem-cell-therapy-for-vision-loss/

  Stem cell therapy is used to repair or replace damaged cells or tissues. Researchers are studying if stem cell therapy can treat many different kinds of eye disease, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), glaucoma, and corneal diseases. […] There is a lot of excitement about stem cell therapy as a treatment for vision loss because a single stem cell therapy may be able to treat different eye diseases. Stem cell therapy could also be useful for individuals whose disease is very advanced and there is a lot of cell damage. […] Examples of how stem cells are being used and tested as treatments for vision loss: Corneal limbal stem cells from a donor or the patients other eye have been used as a treatment for some types of corneal damage or disease.

• #2 Vision loss – occupational therapy | Better Health Channel

  https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/vision-loss-occupational-therapy

  Occupational therapy for children and adults with vision impairment offers new strategies and alternative methods of completing activities of daily living. […] Orientation and mobility instruction helps the vision-impaired individual to move confidently, safely and independently in their environments. […] Occupational therapy for children and adults with vision impairment aims to maximise existing skills and offer alternative, easier ways to do things. […] Occupational therapy services offered by vision impairment organisations, such as Guide Dogs Victoria, are available for people of all ages and with all degrees of vision loss. […] Occupational therapy can be offered together with a specialised range of mobility programs. Orientation and mobility instruction helps the vision-impaired individual to move confidently, safely and independently in their environments, including home, school, workplaces and the local neighbourhood.

• #2 7 Tips for Clinicians with Vision Impaired Patientsarrow-dropdownarrow-scrollsearchfacebookinstagramlinkedinyoutube

  https://foxrehab.org/low-vision-patient-adjustments-clinicians/

  Encourage patients to switch to large print items such as books or utilize handheld magnifiers to help with any tasks involving numbers or reading small print. […] Utilize lampshades and window shears to reduce glare on the floor. […] Tactile markers can be used on a variety of household items. […] A variety of talking devices can be used in order to facilitate the use of auditory cues. […] Patients can be taught a variety of organizational strategies to facilitate functional performance despite any visual conditions. […] One of the most evidence-based ways to address occupational performance in individuals with low vision is to teach them problem-solving skills. […] Visual conditions can manifest in many different ways.

• #2 Vision Loss Resources: Treatment, Support, and Services

  https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/vision-loss-resources

  Getting an early diagnosis can also give you time to work with a low vision specialist who can provide adjustment strategies and daily living solutions. […] An occupational therapist (OT) can help you with vision rehabilitation. Your OT will work with you to create a vision plan that lets you remain employed and participate in activities you enjoy. […] Whether your vision loss is due to an inherited disorder, a degenerative condition, or trauma, your OT can teach you visual exercises to improve your ability to focus near and far, improve eye muscle motility, adapt to lost portions of your visual field. […] These exercises may reduce eyestrain and help improve your sight. […] Many local and regional organizations offer peer-to-peer support groups, low vision training, and other vision loss resources.

• #2 10 Tips to Protect Your Vision and Prevent Blindness

  https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/10-essential-facts-about-your-eyes/

  Regular eye exams are the only way to catch a variety of vision problems, including diseases such as glaucoma, which has no symptoms in its early stages but is a leading cause of blindness for people older than 60, according to the AAO. […] AMD, a leading cause of vision loss in people over 50, can also begin without any symptoms in the earliest stages, but can be detected during a comprehensive eye exam, per the AAO. […] Quitting smoking may lower your risk for both AMD and cataracts, and if you already have AMD, quitting may slow the progression of the disease. […] Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, according to the CDC. […] This common eye disease occurs when high blood sugar damages blood vessels in the retina, which can stop blood flow and lead to blurry vision.

• #2 What Is Low Vision Rehabilitation? – Living Well With Low Vision

  https://lowvision.preventblindness.org/what-is-low-vision-rehabilitation/

  People with a constricted visual field might expect to be introduced to scanning therapy and devices such as visual field awareness prisms and reverse telescopes. People with severe vision loss should expect to receive orientation and mobility training, occupational therapy, and information about animal guides and occupational therapy. […] In addition to these skills, vision rehabilitation specialists teach how to manage daily activities such as adapting the home for safety and navigation, improving lighting conditions, preparing meals, labeling medications, clothing, and appliances, writing, keeping financial records, personal grooming, using magnifiers for easier reading, and systematizing shopping and payment at the register. […] There are some very good reasons for low vision rehabilitation, the most important being increased physical and psychological health. Research has shown that people with low vision tend to have more emotional difficulties and a higher risk of accidents than normally-sighted individuals. Patients who have undergone rehabilitation, however, have reported significant improvements in their functional abilities, a high rate of continued use of low vision devices, improvement in reading and distance vision, and general satisfaction with the quality of life.

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