February is Low Vision Awareness Month

Every February, Low Vision Awareness Month serves as a platform to educate, support, and advocate for individuals facing visual impairments that cannot be fully corrected with visual assistance or correction. This observance aims to raise awareness about low vision and the challenges faced by those living with it.

Many of these everyday tasks are difficult to do. Activities that used to be simple like reading the mail, shopping, cooking, and writing can become challenging.

Most people with low vision are age 65 or older. The leading causes of vision loss in older adults are macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, and glaucoma. Among younger people, vision loss is most often caused by inherited eye conditions, infectious and autoimmune eye diseases, or trauma. For people with low vision, maximizing their remaining sight is key to helping them continue to live safe, productive, and rewarding lives.

It’s essential to understand that individuals with low vision have unique needs and abilities. Through education and support, we can foster inclusivity and create environments that accommodate diverse visual needs. Awareness initiatives also encourage regular eye examinations and prompt treatment of underlying conditions to prevent or delay the progression of low vision.

Early Diagnosis and Rehab Services are Key to Living with Low Vision.