What You Need to Know About Poor Vision
Poor vision refers to vision loss that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgical procedures. While it is not considered blindness, it can significantly impact daily life and may manifest as low vision, characterized by blind spots, poor night vision, or blurry sight.
Symptoms of Poor Vision:
- Severe, sudden eye pain
- Recurrent pain in or around the eye
- Hazy, blurred, or double vision
- Flashes of light or sudden bright floating spots
- Halos or rainbows around lights
- Floating “spider webs” in your field of vision
- A “curtain” coming down over one eye
- Sensing a “cup filling up with ink” in one eye
- Unusual sensitivity to light or glare, often painful
- Swollen, red eyes
- Changes in iris color
- White areas in the pupil
- Sudden development of persistent floaters
- Itching, burning, or heavy discharge in the eyes
- Any sudden change in vision
Causes of Poor Vision:
- Refractive errors: Difficulty focusing due to near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism
- Presbyopia: Difficulty focusing on near objects due to aging
- Dry eye syndrome
- Cataracts: Clouding of the eye lens
- Glaucoma: Damage to the optic nerve often due to high eye pressure
- Corneal damage: Injury or disease affecting the cornea
- Age-related macular degeneration: Deterioration of the central part of the retina
- Eye infections
- Retinal issues: Such as diabetic retinopathy or retinal detachment
- Eye injury
The Role of Occupational Therapy:
Occupational therapists can provide valuable visual rehabilitation services, focusing on:
- Improving eye alignment and tracking
- Enhancing visual processing skills
- Teaching strategies to effectively use remaining vision
They are also trained to recommend environmental modifications and adaptive equipment to minimize visual limitations. This can include practical solutions such as using contrasting colors on steps to prevent falls or utilizing talking devices to read medication labels.
At Reddy Care Physical and Occupational Therapy, we can get you set up with the right therapist for you. Call today to schedule a consultation!
Great Neck: 475 Northern Blvd., Ste.11, Great Neck, NY 11021 Tel. (516) 829.0030
Farmingdale: 309 North West Dr., Farmingdale, NY 11735 Tel. (516) 420.2900
Woodbury: 150 Woodbury Rd., Woodbury, NY 11797 Tel. (516) 367.1111
Deer Park: 2024 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park, NY 11729 Tel. (631) 243.0247
North Shore Towers: 272-78 Grand Central Pkwy., Floral Park, NY 11005 Tel. (516) 344.0030
Bayside - Aquatic Therapy: 208-32 Cross Island Pkwy., Bayside, NY11360 Tel. (718) 224.8480
Oceanside: 2421 S Long Beach Rd., Oceanside, NY 11572 Tel. (516) 992.2282
New York City: 250 West 93rd Street, New York, NY 10025 Tel. (212) 580.0125
Bay Shore: 1470 Sunrise Highway Bay Shore NY, 11706 Tel:(631)-446.1480
Amityville: 565 Albany Ave Amityville NY, 11701 Tel:(631)-532.0906
In-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy (Home Care): Tel: (516) 829.0030
*Home therapy servicing Long Island, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx & Manhattan*
Sources: Resource 1 Resource 2 Resource 3
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Written by:
Dr. Vinod Somareddy, PT, DPT
President
Reddy Care Physical Therapy
Reddy Care Occupational Therapy
Reddy Care Aquatic Therapy