Living with Vision Loss Podcast

Episode 2

What Is Low Vision?

Host: Dawn Ciccarone, MS OTR/L, CLVT

Episode Type: Educational

Duration: ~6 minutes

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn answers one of the most common questions she receives: What is low vision? She explains that low vision occurs when your acuity cannot be corrected to 20/20 with glasses, contacts, surgery, or medication—usually due to eye disease. Dawn discusses the role of low vision optometrists, why glasses often can't help when the retina is damaged, and the treatment interventions available including optical magnification, size magnification, and distance magnification. She also covers how treatment addresses not just acuity, but visual field, contrast, and glare.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

1. The definition of low vision and why it's different from needing glasses
2. Common eye diseases that cause low vision
3. What a low vision optometrist does and how they differ from a regular eye doctor
4. Why glasses can't always help when the retina is damaged
5. Three types of magnification: optical, size, and distance
6. How treatment interventions address acuity, visual field, contrast, and glare
7. A real-life example of helping someone see the TV better

Who Is This Podcast For?

1. People living with low vision or vision loss
2. Family members and caregivers supporting loved ones with visual impairments
3. Friends who want to understand how to help
4. Healthcare professionals seeking to better understand low vision
5. Occupational therapists and rehabilitation specialists

What Is Low Vision?

Low vision is when your acuity cannot be corrected to 20/20 with:

1. Glasses
2. Contacts
3. Surgery
4. Medication

Eye Conditions That Cause Low Vision

Common in older adults:

1. Macular degeneration
2. Glaucoma
3. Diabetic retinopathy

What Does a Low Vision Optometrist Do?

A low vision optometrist is a specialized eye doctor who:

1. Uses specialized lenses and larger charts