Caring for Your Eyes During Low Vision Awareness Month

As we proudly honor Black History Month in February, we also honor Low Vision Awareness Month, a time dedicated to spreading knowledge about vision loss that cannot be corrected by standard glasses, contact lenses, medication or surgery. Blindness or low vision affects approximately 1 in 28 Americans older than 40 years. The specific causes of vision loss, and especially blindness, vary by race and ethnicity. Over the next 20 years, the prevalence of visual disabilities will increase markedly, owing largely to the aging of the U.S. population, according to JAMA Ophthalmology.

Symptoms of low vision include loss of central vision and/or peripheral vision, loss of contrast sensitivity, lack of depth perception, night blindness, and blurred or cloudy vision. Left untreated, these conditions impact daily activities like driving, cooking, going to work or school.

While low vision affects millions of people in the United States, it does not impact all communities equally. Eye health is a critical piece of overall health and wellness. Conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as a family history of eye disease, increase the chances of developing glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. This is particularly true for Black Americans.

Six years ago, we established our Black Americans Senior Support group, known as BASS. Debra Pendleton, one of our long-time instructors, noticed that older Black American clients often struggled with accessing medical resources and other community support. Today, BASS members include current and former clients. They hold workshops and community outings to improve their blindness skills. BASS members also engage in outreach to medical providers and other community organizations about the importance of eye care for Black Americans of all ages.

Research indicates that Black Americans are at a significantly higher risk for several “silent” eye conditions.

• Glaucoma: Black Americans are 6 to 8 times more likely to develop glaucoma. It also is the leading cause of blindness in the community, often appearing much earlier in life, sometimes as early as age 40.
• Diabetic Retinopathy: Due to higher systemic rates of Type 2 diabetes, Black Americans frequently suffer from damage to the blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to severe low vision or total blindness.
• Cataracts: While common across all populations, Black Americans are more likely to experience cataracts at a younger age and face higher rates of related visual impairment.

For all of us, regular eye exams are very important. Preservation of eyesight begins with prevention. The most effective way to identify and address eye disease is through comprehensive dilated eye exams. Unlike a simple vision screening for glasses, a dilated exam allows a doctor to see the back of the eye and catch signs of disease before vision loss begins.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing vision loss, Society for the Blind is here to help. Our Low Vision Clinic specializes in providing eye care and training on assistive devices for people with vision loss. Our comprehensive array of programs offers clients training to carry out all their daily activities using non-visual skills and techniques along with adaptive devices. From toddlers to older adults, we are committed to empowering them to discover, develop and achieve their full potential.