Adapting To Reduced Vision From Glaucoma: How Can These Adaptations Help Me Cope With Reduced Vision

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How can these adaptations help me cope with reduced vision?

You can take steps to overcome the challenges of living with low vision and to make the best use of the vision you do have. Resources are available to help you meet these challenges and maintain your quality of life.

Lighting

• Position lighting so that it is aimed at what you want to see, and away from your eyes.
• Add table and floor lamps in areas where extra lighting is frequently needed.
• Use window coverings that allow you to adjust the level of natural lighting.
• Make sure potentially hazardous areas such as entries and stairways are well-lit.

Labeling and marking

• Use high contrast, such as bold black lettering on a white background, when making labels, signs, and other markings. Post signs at eye level.
• Label any medications you take so that they are easily and clearly identified. Use colored, high-contrast labels to "color code" medications, spices, foods, and other items.
• Mark the positions of the temperature settings you use most frequently on your stove and oven controls, as well as the "on" and "off" positions. Some appliances are available with extra-large, high-contrast markings and indicators.
• In the kitchen and bathroom, mark the settings for the faucets that provide the right water temperature. To prevent overfilling a sink or bathtub, mark the water level you want with a strip of waterproof tape or waterproof marker.
• Mark the areas around stairways and ramps with paint or tape, preferably with a high-contrast color such as dark tape on light carpeting.

Avoiding potential hazards

• Replace or remove any worn carpeting or floor coverings. If you use throw rugs or area rugs, tape them down or remove them.
• Avoid smooth floor coverings, and do not wax kitchen and bathroom floors. Use nonskid, nonglare cleaners on smooth floors.
• Remove electrical cords from areas where you need to walk. If this is not possible, tape them down so you will not trip over them.
• Arrange your furniture so it does not stick out into areas where you need to walk. Keep chairs pushed in under tables and desks when not in use. Similarly, keep desk, cabinet, and bureau drawers closed.
• Keep doors either fully opened or fully closed, but not halfway. Keep doors that stick out into a room or hallway closed.
• Make sure the handrails on stairways and ramps extend beyond the top and bottom steps, because people often stumble when they miss a step at the top or bottom of an incline. Consider installing handrails in other potentially hazardous areas.

Seek counseling, rehabilitation, and training

Low-vision specialists, groups, and agencies that offer counseling, training, and other special services related to vision loss are available. Low-vision rehabilitation specialists can provide you with detailed practical information and training on managing your household, personal grooming, cooking, shopping, traveling away from home, and other activities that can be more challenging when you have low vision. They can also help you find ways to cope with reduced vision in the workplace. These specialists may include:

• Rehabilitation counselors and teachers who can address specific needs.
• Occupational therapists.
• Orientation and mobility specialists.
• Low-vision specialists.
• Experts in technology adapted for visually impaired people.
• Counselors and others who can provide support in dealing with emotional and psychological effects.

Develop your personal support network

Many resources are available to help you overcome the challenges of living with reduced vision, make the best use of the vision you do have, and maintain your quality of life. Your family and friends as well as your health care and social services providers can help you.

Learning that you have glaucoma can be difficult. You may feel fear and anxiety that loss of vision from glaucoma will make you less able to function on your own. These feelings are normal. If you need help in dealing with them, talk to your doctor and to your family and friends. Because glaucoma is a lifelong disease, it may be helpful for you to join a support group for people who have the disease.

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Last updated:	July 07, 2006
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology
Editors:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW, Pat Truman