COMMON TYPES OF LOW VISION
- Loss of Central Vision - The loss of central vision creates a blur or blindspot, but side (peripheral) vision remains intact. This makes it difficult to read, recognize faces,and distinguish most details in the distance. Mobility, however, is usually unaffected because side vision remains intact.
- Loss of Peripheral (Side) Vision - Loss of peripheral vision typified by an inability to distinguish anything to one side or both sides, or anything directly above and/or below eye level. Central vision remains, making it possible to see directly ahead. Typically, loss of peripheral vision may affect mobilty and if severe, can slow reading speed as a result of seeing only a few words at a time. This is sometimes referred to as "tunnel vision."
- Blurred Vision - Blurred vision causes both near and far vision to appear out of focus, even with best conventional spectacle correction.
- Generalized Haze - Generalized haze causes the sensation of a film or glare that may extend over the entire viewing field.
- Extreme Light Sensitivity - Extreme light sensitivity exists when standard levels of illumination overwhelm the visual system producing a washed out image and/or glare disability. People with extreme light sensitivity may actually suffer pain or discomfort from relatively normal levels of illumination.
- Night Blindness - Night blindness results in the inability to see outside at night under starlight or moonlight, or in dimly light interior areas such as movie theaters or restaurants.
These qualify as Low Vision because they are permanent and uncorrectable.
COMMON TYPES OF EYE CONDITIONS
A few of the most common types of eye conditions are:
- Cataracts
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Glaucoma
- Macular Degeneration http://www.testyourvisionforamd.com/spectrios_test.php
For a comprehensive glossary of eye conditions see the American Foundation for the Blind website (www.afb.org).