- Click to resize text
- A
- A
- A
- or click for Accessibility
A person with low vision has significantly reduced visual acuity or contrast sensitivity, a significantly obstructed field of vision -- or all three.
They will experience:
Difficulty recognising faces of people
Difficulty reading -- print appears broken, distorted or incomplete
Difficulty seeing objects and potential hazards such as steps, curbs, walls, uneven surfaces and furniture
People with low vision usually have some usable residual vision. An ophthalmologist or optometrist can evaluate how they see and may be able to prescribe optical devices to maximise their remaining vision. This functional vision assessment by way of a sight test to begin with is an important step in helping improve quality of life.
Even with regular spectacles or contact lenses, a visual image -- whether a sentence from a book or a crossing at a busy intersection -- may appear distorted, blurred or incomplete if you have low vision. An optometrist may recommend or prescribe devices such as magnifiers and tinted lenses to help you take full advantage of the sight you have. Non-optical devices such as large-print clocks and remote controls, as well as signature and writing guides, are also popular.
If vision loss can't be corrected by optometric or ophthalmological interventions, vision rehabilitation can help. Vision rehabilitation services equip people who have low vision with skills and strategies to help them remain safe, independent and active at any stage of life.
These services may be provided by a multidisciplinary team of professionals who can introduce new methods of using remaining vision to help maximise daily functioning and adjust to vision loss. Such a team includes specially trained ophthalmologists, optometrists, social workers, nurses, occupational therapists, vision rehabilitation therapists, career counsellors, orientation and mobility specialists and others. Currently to access this support you must be referred to the Hospital Eye Services who after appropriate evaluation, diagnosis and treatment as appropriate, will involve other professionals and agencies to support low vision patients.
Please click on the links below for advice and information for people with low vision.
Low Vision Self Referral Leaflet
