Information retrieved from the presentation "Macular Disease Foundation: Staying Safe At Home with Vision Loss" by Orthoptist Priya Narayan.

Low vision has many definitions, qualitatively it is when someone's visual acuity is not adequate for their needs, and quantitatively it is defined by WHO as VA of less than 6/18 (but better than 6/12) or visual field loss of less than 20 degrees at either side of fixation.

Functional vision loss includes distorted colour vision, loss of contrast sensitivity and photophobia or glare sensitivity. Functional vision impairments impacts many facets of patient's lives, including their safety within their homes.

Here are some things you can suggest to low vision patients:

Avoid Hazards

  • Declutter: remove non-essential items e.g. loose rugs, magazine racks, side tables, items at entryways. 
  • Reposition items for easier navigation.
  • Eliminate tripping/slip hazards. 
  • Install handles and railings. 
  • For stairs and steps, highlight each individual step e.g. slip resistant paint/paving paint at the tread/rise.

Good lighting 
  • low vision individuals can need 2-3x more light than normally sighted persons 
  • Maximise daylight by keeping windows as clean as possible 
  • Use fluorescent lighting for general lighting as reduces shadows and glare 
  • Keep indoors well lit and keep lights on during the day 
  • Use task lighting e.g. lamps, use magnifiers with internal LED source 

Marking Appliances 
  • Put tactile markers on items/buttons e.g. stickers with bumps/velvet etc 
  • Tape over buttons not needed on remote controls