Low Vision Symptoms and Causes for Veterans

Most people experience changes to their vision as they age, which can often be addressed with updated eyeglasses or a new prescription. However, low vision occurs when someone has a permanent visual impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery.

While individuals with low vision are not completely blind, their vision loss can significantly impact daily activities, such as driving, reading, or personal grooming. Community based care can play a vital role in supporting those with low vision by providing resources, assistance, and tailored solutions to help them maintain independence and improve their quality of life.

Areas of Sight that are Affected by Low Vision

Depending on the cause of low vision, the symptoms can impact various aspects of vision. Community based care can play a crucial role in addressing these challenges and supporting those experiencing loss in one or more types of vision.

• Night vision: Your loved one may not be able to see well enough in low-light situations to perform needed tasks safely.
• Central vision: Your loved one may not be able to see what is directly in front of them, such as a person’s face or the TV screen.
• Peripheral vision: The edges of your loved one’s vision may not work, making everything look as though he’s looking through a tunnel.
• Glare resistance: Your loved one may not be able to see in bright light or when bright lights (like car headlights) shine directly into his eyes.
• Depth perception: Your loved one may not be able to tell how close or far away an object is. It can make reaching out to pick up an item difficult or determining when it’s safe to cross the street.

Common Causes of Low Vision

Most low vision is caused by underlying health issues in the eye area, often due to injury or illness, highlighting the importance of community based care in addressing these challenges.

Common health issues that can lead to low vision include:

• Glaucoma: With glaucoma, the optic nerve is damaged, often leading to low vision when it comes to night vision and peripheral vision.
• Diabetes-related Retinopathy: This condition, brought on by diabetes, damages the retina when pressure builds up against it due to leaking fluids.
• Cataracts: A cataract is a cloudy spot that develops on the lens of the eye, making whatever area it covers difficult to see through. While surgery can often help, not everyone is a candidate for surgery.
• Age-related Macular Degeneration: This condition causes a person to slowly lose their central vision sight. It can create a blind spot or blurry area in the central vision.
• Stroke: Some strokes can affect vision and cause brain damage that affects vision.

Important Resources for Your Veteran with Low Vision

Low Vision can make many daily activities difficult or impossible, and your elderly veteran may need help in order to continue to live independently. The Veterans Administration (VA) Community Care Network (CCN) is an important part of the healthcare system for U.S. Veterans like your loved one. They can help your loved one discover an expanded network of care beyond the traditional VA healthcare facilities with their community based care programming.

With community based care, your loved one can find assistance from home care providers to help around the home, transportation options to help him get where he needs to go, and other community-based programs designed to assist him with daily living chores so he can retain his independence and integrity.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Community Based Care in Brown County, OH, please contact the caring staff at Freedom Home Care today at (513) 461-2780

Freedom Home Care Serves Veterans in Clermont County, Batavia, Amelia, Milford, New Richmond, Goshen, Bethel, Williamsburg, Loveland, Withamsville, Brown County, Felicity, Georgetown, Mount Orab, Ripley, Hamersville, Sardinia, and surrounding areas.