At least three million Americans aged 65 and older were living with a visual impairment from 2013 to 2019, according to the American Community Survey, and that number continues to increase. “Vision loss is a growing challenge for older Americans,” says Sylvia Stinson-Perez, director of Mississippi State University’s Vision Specialist Program. Here, she outlines signs of visual impairment and provides useful tips on living safely and independently with low vision.*

9 signs you may have an eye condition

Stinson-Perez notes that although some changes in vision are a normal part of aging, visual impairment isn’t. Nine (9) common signs of visual impairment include new instances of:

• Not being able to find often-used items
• Wearing clothes that are stained or don’t match
• Having difficulty recognizing familiar faces
• Frequently dialing the wrong number
• Bumping into people or objects
• Drifting off of the line when writing your signature
• Frequently spilling drinks or food
• Finding it challenging to negotiate stairs
• Struggling to read print that you could previously read clearly

These occurrences could also be due to motor issues, neurological issues, cognitive decline, or dementia, but Stinson-Perez recommends ruling out potential eye issues first, and not jumping to conclusions. “If you suspect you or a loved one has a visual impairment,” she says, “it is important to see an ophthalmologist for a thorough dilated exam.”

The impact of vision loss

With progressive eye diseases, vision loss will continue to decline and impair daily function. “Early diagnosis can increase access to treatment that prolongs vision and help an individual develop important coping strategies and resources,” Stinson-Perez says.

She explains that visual impairment can vary based on disease type and severity, as just a few activities may be impacted at first. For example, with macular degeneration, which affects central vision, a person may not recognize a family member “but be able to pick up a safety pin off of the floor.”

The journey of living with low vision begins with two steps:

• Getting a diagnosis and prognosis to know what’s behind the vision loss and what to expect, and
• Working with professionals to understand the disease and how it can affect safety and independence.

7 tips to stay safe and productive with vision loss

“One of the most important things for safety and independent living for a person with a visual impairment is the creation of solid organization systems,” says Stinson-Perez. She offers seven (7) organizational tips to promote home safety and independence for a visually impaired person.

• Remove clutter. Store or get rid of non-essential items, and hide wires and other tripping hazards.  
• Organize. Keep commonly-used items like the TV remote, eyeglasses, and coffee creamer in designated locations.
• Orient the person to a changed room. Visually impaired people rely on knowing where objects (such as furniture) are to avoid stumbling into them. 
• Improve lighting. Brighter overall lighting and specific task lighting may both help. Ask what the person needs.
• Add contrast. You can place bright tape by the top and bottom steps of a staircase, and use a light-colored mug for dark drinks like coffee or a dark place mat under a pale plate.
• Mark and label. An elastic band can differentiate one bottle or container from a similar one, and a raised dot can be placed on the 1-minute button on the microwave.
• Consider a medical alert system. Medical alert systems can add confidence for independent living, and many come with fall-detection features.

Help is available

“It is important to know that you, as the individual with the visual impairment, or as a loved one, are not alone,” says Stinson-Perez. Here are some resources she recommends.

• The Older Individuals Who Are Blind Technical Assistance Center, or OIB-TAC, offers many resources such as its Lessons for Living program.
• The American Printing House for the Blind offers their Getting Started 2020: A Guide for People New to Vision Loss.
• OIB-TAC and TimeToBeBold offer special adaptive training and services for visually impaired people 55 and older to help them stay independent.

*Stinson-Perez, S. (2021, May 14). Living with Vision Loss: Practical Tips for Safety and Independence. National Council on Aging. https://ncoa.org/article/living-with-vision-loss-practical-tips-for-safety-and-independence?