Vision
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Living with Low Vision
The National Eye Institute project that by the year 2030, 5,000,055 people will be affected by low vision. There are multiple eye conditions that can make completing daily activities, such as reading, driving, telling colors apart, and seeing your TV or computer screen clearly, difficult. Low vision is unable to be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or other standardized treatments. Common eye conditions include macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. The American Occupational Therapy Association provides some steps you can take in order to maximize your independence and safety during daily activities.
Home Modifications:
- Remove clutter and throw rugs to avoid falls
- Maintain good lighting in walkways, hallways, and stairwells- utilize nightlights
- Organize rooms to keep commonly used items in easy- to- access locations
Shopping for Groceries:
- Make a list of items according to their location in the store
- Shop online or utilize delivery services
Medication Management:
- Ask your pharmacist for large print labels
- Ask your pharmacist to set up daily medications in bubble packs or daily pill boxes
- Mark pill bottles in distinctive ways to make them easier to identify
Prepare Meals and Snacks:
- Organize items in refrigerators and cabinets to make the items easily accessible
- Mark appliance dials with distinctive marks or textured dots to make the settings easier to identify
- Use the microwave if you feel unsafe to utilize the stove
If you would like more information regarding low vision or assistance with implementing any of the above strategies, contact your physician or optometrist for an order for occupational therapy services. Occupational therapists are skilled to assist with recommending ways for preventing accidents or injuries, teach new skills to assist with low vision changes, modify tasks and environments to maximize function, and to promote a healthy and satisfying lifestyle. Contact Cozad Physical Therapy at 308-784-2231 for more information or to schedule your appointment to address low vision.
Resources collected from
National Eye Institute: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/low-vision
The American Occupational Therapy Association: https://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Patients-Clients/Adults/LowVision.aspx
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