Maya Williams
Low vision is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, making it difficult to perform everyday activities like reading, driving, and recognizing faces. Unlike blindness, low vision does not mean total sight loss, but it significantly reduces a person’s ability to see clearly.
The symptoms of low vision can vary depending on the underlying cause, but they all impact visual clarity, contrast perception, and focus.
Some people struggle with night vision, while others experience blind spots or blurred vision. Below, we compare the symptoms of low vision vs blindness and list the 10 most common signs.
1. Blurred or Hazy Vision
One of the main symptoms of low vision is when fine details become difficult to see. Even with prescription glasses, letters in a book might look smudged and objects might not appear as sharp. This blurry or hazy vision can make everyday tasks, like reading or recognizing faces, challenging. It can feel as though you’re looking through a foggy window that just won’t clear up, affecting your overall quality of life.
2. Difficulty Recognizing Faces
Struggling to identify people from afar is a common low vision symptom. Faces of friends, family, or even familiar objects might seem indistinguishable until they’re really close. This happens due to a reduction in contrast sensitivity and central vision loss. The inability to see facial features clearly can make social interactions challenging and can lead to feelings of isolation.
3. Poor Night Vision (Nyctalopia)
When it gets dark, seeing can become a major challenge for those with low vision. Low light environments or nighttime can make everything seem blurry and indistinct. This poor night vision, known as nyctalopia, is commonly seen in conditions like glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa. It can make tasks like driving at night or navigating dimly lit areas difficult and unsafe.
4. Increased Sensitivity to Light (Photophobia)
Bright lights might cause discomfort, a clear sign among the symptoms of low vision. Sunlight, car headlights, or even strong indoor lighting can create a glare that makes it hard to see. This increased sensitivity to light, called photophobia, can make it difficult to enjoy outdoor activities or even function comfortably in well-lit environments.
5. Tunnel Vision (Loss of Peripheral Vision)
Feeling like you’re looking through a narrow tube is a hallmark symptom of low vision, especially with conditions like glaucoma. This loss of peripheral vision makes it seem as though your side vision is disappearing, limiting your overall field of view. It can make navigating crowded places or driving particularly challenging, as you might not see objects or people approaching from the sides.
6. Difficulty Reading Small Print
Reading can become a real struggle with low vision. Small text in books, newspapers, or even on your phone screen might be hard to make out. Regular glasses might not help, but low vision glasses with magnification can make it easier to read small print. This symptom can significantly impact your ability to stay informed, enjoy leisure activities, and complete daily tasks.
7. Color Distortion or Fading
Colors might start to look dull, faded, or even completely different. This is one of the low vision symptoms that can affect how vibrant everything appears around you. Difficulty distinguishing colors can make tasks like cooking, dressing, and identifying objects more challenging, leading to frustration and decreased independence.
8. Frequent Need for Brighter Lighting
If you constantly need to turn up the brightness on your phone, use stronger lamps, or add extra lights for reading, it could be an early sign of low vision. Brighter lighting helps make things clearer and easier to see. This increased need for light can affect your daily routine and may require adjustments to your living and working environments to accommodate your vision needs.
9. Double Vision or Ghost Images
Seeing two overlapping images or multiple objects where there should be one is another symptom of low vision. This double vision, caused by certain eye conditions, can make activities like reading, driving, and even walking more difficult. It can also lead to eye strain and headaches as your eyes try to focus and make sense of the visual information.
10. Blind Spots or Dark Areas in Vision
For those with conditions like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic retinopathy, dark patches or blind spots can appear in your vision. These blind spots can make daily activities like reading, recognizing faces, and navigating spaces more challenging. They are indicative of severe low vision symptoms and can significantly impact your ability to perform tasks independently. Regular check-ups with an eye specialist can help monitor and manage these changes.
Recognizing the symptoms of low vision early is crucial for managing vision loss effectively. Blurred vision, poor night vision, and tunnel vision are just a few warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored.
While low vision cannot always be reversed, low vision glasses, magnifiers, and assistive devices can help individuals maintain their independence. If you or a loved one experiences difficulty seeing, reading, or recognizing faces, consult an eye specialist to explore treatment options.
FAQs About Low Vision Symptoms
1. Can low vision symptoms be reversed?
Some cases, like cataracts, can be treated with surgery, but most low vision symptoms are permanent. Low vision glasses and assistive technology can help improve quality of life.
2. When should I see an eye specialist for low vision?
Visit an eye medical specialist if you experience blurred vision, light sensitivity, tunnel vision, or difficulty recognizing faces. Early diagnosis can help slow progression.
3. Can low vision glasses help with all symptoms?
Low vision glasses enhance contrast, magnify objects, and reduce glare, helping with reading, watching TV, and daily activities. However, they may not restore vision fully.
4. Is low vision the same as legal blindness?
No, low vision means partial sight, while legal blindness means vision is so impaired that daily tasks are nearly impossible without assistance.
5. What are the best low vision aids for reading?
The best aids include magnifiers, screen readers, low vision glasses, and high-contrast reading tools.
