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7 ways to live better with low vision

Make your day-to-day living easier with these home and lifestyle tips.

Updated on July 11, 2024

Woman reads a braille book.
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As many as 23.4 million people in the United States live with visual impairment, according to a 2021 study published in the journal Ophthalmology. Diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and blindness are just a few eyesight problems affecting millions, though many more people develop conditions like cataracts and glaucoma, which may worsen as they progress.

WhileShow More

woman rolling up throw rug
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Injury-proof your home

To get around easier and prevent falls, it's important to first remove tripping hazards. Start by removing throw rugs, slippery bathmats, excess electrical cords, low-lying furniture like ottomans, magazine racks, and other forms of clutter. Designate places where you can tuck away everyday itemsShow More

opening curtains to let light in
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Light up your life

Ample light is crucial to help people with low vision move freely and enjoy activities at home. For general lighting, try overhead fixtures with strong bulbs and easy-to-access switches. Open shades to let in natural light when you can. And pay special attention to dimly lit corners and stairs,Show More

organizing pills
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Organize and label your stuff

Once your home is laid out and adequately lit, it's time to organize. First and foremost, experts suggest designating a spot for medication, and labeling bottles in big, bold letters. Your pharmacist may even provide large-print labels upon request. Labeling containers of food can also be helpful,Show More

woman using magnifying glass to read
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Invest in magnifying lenses

Perhaps the single most helpful item for a person with low vision to own is a magnifying lens, which aids in reading and detail work. There are several kinds, including:

  • Hand magnifiers, like the detective-style magnifying glasses seen in movies 
  • Stand magnifiers, which are hands-free lenses
  • Show More
Woman looks at a video magnifier on phone
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Get the gear

Every day, more and more high-tech solutions to vision problems appear in the marketplace. Talking clocks, audiobooks, GPS systems, e-readers, and software that reads screen text aloud are popular among the visually impaired. Meanwhile, smartphone apps—like those that identify money, describeShow More

Woman meditates.
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Look into services

You're familiar with guide dogs, the canine pals trained to help the visually impaired. Services don't stop there, though—and they're often free. 

  • The National Federation of the Blind offers NFB-Newsline, a 24-hour phone number where newspapers, magazines, and websites are read to callers. It'
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mature woman getting an eye exam
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See your specialists

As you continue to make improvements to your home, it's important to keep up with appointments with your healthcare providers and to assemble a healthcare team to address your needs. This can include an ophthalmologist, social worker, occupational therapist, and more.

Depending on the severity ofShow More

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fast Facts About Vision Loss. Last Reviewed: August 15, 2023.
Rein DB, Lamuda PA, Wittenborn JS, et al. Vision Impairment and Blindness Prevalence in the United States: Variability of Vision Health Responses across Multiple National Surveys. Ophthalmology. 2021;128(1):15-27.
Stelmack JA, Tang XC, Wei Y, et al. Outcomes of the Veterans Affairs Low Vision Intervention Trial II (LOVIT II): A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2017;135(2):96–104.

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