Vision impairment, or low vision, means that even with eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery, a person's eyesight cannot be corrected to a "normal" level. Vision impairment severity may be categorized differently for certain purposes. In the United States, for example, the term "legal blindness" is used to indicate that a person is eligible for certain education or federal programs. Legal blindness is defined as a visual acuity of 20/200 or worse, with the best possible correction, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less.
The leading causes of vision impairment and blindness in the United States are age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration , cataracts and glaucoma . Other eye disorders, eye injuries and birth defects can also cause vision loss.
Sometimes, vision loss is preventable. Regular comprehensive eye exams and prompt treatment are important factors in preventing vision loss. You may also wish to find an eyecare professional .
For more information, please visit the following resources:
- The National Eye Institute (NEI) offers a wealth of health information on their website about eye disease. They also offer a guide to finding financial aid for eye care .
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers information about contact lenses , LASIK eye surgery , and Phakic Intraocular Lenses on their website.
Health Observances:
- March is Save Your Vision Month , a time to encourage citizens to take the steps necessary to protect their vision.
- May is Healthy Vision Month , designated to promote the importance of getting eye exams.
- October 8, 2009, was World Sight Day, designated to focus attention on the global issue of avoidable blindness and visual impairment.
- October 15 was White Cane Safety Day.
Additional Resources: