Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWho Needs One?What They Can DoFinding One Near YouAppointment TipsAdditional TreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Who Needs One?
What They Can Do
Finding One Near You
Appointment Tips
Additional Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Listen to this article(7 minutes)
A low vision specialist is a licensed doctor of optometry or ophthalmology who is trained to improve the quality of life for people with low vision—20/70 vision or worse that can’t be fully corrected with medical treatment, surgery, or glasses.
If you have low vision, you may struggle with everyday tasks—reading, cooking, or things that require you to differentiate colors, for example.A low vision specialist does not treat whatever is causing your vision issues, but can examine your eyes and provide advice on how to better navigate these challenges and maintain your independence over time.
Low vision specialists can also train you in the proper use of assistive devices designed to help people with low vision.
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Who Needs a Low Vision Specialist?
About 17% of people over the age of 65 have some level of visual impairment. Some of these people may benefit from a vision-specialist evaluation.
Some reasons you may be referred to a low vision specialist:
What a Low Vision Specialist Can Do For You
Low vision specialists can help you make the best use of your remaining vision. They will:
Optical Devices
These helpful devices use lenses to magnify images so that objects or print appear larger to the eye, making them much easier to see.
Examples may include:
Non-Optical Devices
Instead of using lenses to magnify images, these useful devices increase lighting levels, improve contrast, decrease the effects of glare, or increase the print size to make objects and print easier to see.
Examples include:
In addition, special sunglasses with absorptive lenses can filter out ultraviolet and infrared light, reduce glare, and increase contrast. Non-optical devices can also be used in combination with optical devices.
Adaptive Devices
Designed to make everyday tasks easier to do with little or no vision, the following special devices may be useful:
How to Find a Low Vision Specialist Near You
Your referring healthcare provider may be able to give you the names of trusted low vision specialists, if they are unable to provide you with this type of care themselves.
If you are looking for one on your own, you can ask your primary care provider for their help or use an online directory to find a low vision specialist in your area.
Some to try:
A comprehensive low vision eye exam can help your low vision specialist determine the extent of your vision loss and the potential for vision rehabilitation. Be prepared for several vision tests and the dilation of your pupils with eye drops.
Remember to ask any questions you may have. It may help to make a list in advance. It’s a good idea to bring a friend or family memberwho can listen, ask questions along with you, and offer their support as needed. You will be guided on ways to adapt to your vision loss and maintain your independence.
Additional Treatment for the Causes of Low Vision
It’s important to understand that low vision care may be used independently or alongside medical treatments such as laser therapies, medication, and surgery, depending on the cause.
For example:
Some conditions may be able to be fully treated, allowing good vision to return. Others may only be slowed down, though lost vision cannot be restored.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLess than 20/1000 on the visual acuity scale is near-total low vision. Beyond that, no light perception at all is considered total blindness.Learn MoreLiving With Vision LossNo. Low vision refers to vision that affects your daily life, is 20/70 or less, and can’t be corrected. Legal blindness is a visual acuity of 20/200 or less and a visual field of 20 degrees or less, even with corrective lenses.Learn MoreWhat Is the Meaning of Legally Blind?
Less than 20/1000 on the visual acuity scale is near-total low vision. Beyond that, no light perception at all is considered total blindness.Learn MoreLiving With Vision Loss
Less than 20/1000 on the visual acuity scale is near-total low vision. Beyond that, no light perception at all is considered total blindness.
Learn MoreLiving With Vision Loss
No. Low vision refers to vision that affects your daily life, is 20/70 or less, and can’t be corrected. Legal blindness is a visual acuity of 20/200 or less and a visual field of 20 degrees or less, even with corrective lenses.Learn MoreWhat Is the Meaning of Legally Blind?
No. Low vision refers to vision that affects your daily life, is 20/70 or less, and can’t be corrected. Legal blindness is a visual acuity of 20/200 or less and a visual field of 20 degrees or less, even with corrective lenses.
Learn MoreWhat Is the Meaning of Legally Blind?
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Foundation for the Blind.Low vision and legal blindness terms and descriptions.VisionAware.What Are Low Vision Optical Devices?VisionAware.Helpful Non-optical Devices for Low Vision.International Academy of Low Vision Specialists.Find a low vision doctor.American Optometric Association.Find a doctor of optometry.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Find an ophthalmologist.VisionAware.The Low Vision Examination.National Eye Institute.Diabetic Retinopathy.National Eye Institute.Glaucoma.National Eye Institute.Cataracts.National Eye Institute.Diabetic Retinopathy.American Optometric Association.Low vision and vision rehabilitation.Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. Vision health initiative.Vision Loss.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Foundation for the Blind.Low vision and legal blindness terms and descriptions.VisionAware.What Are Low Vision Optical Devices?VisionAware.Helpful Non-optical Devices for Low Vision.International Academy of Low Vision Specialists.Find a low vision doctor.American Optometric Association.Find a doctor of optometry.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Find an ophthalmologist.VisionAware.The Low Vision Examination.National Eye Institute.Diabetic Retinopathy.National Eye Institute.Glaucoma.National Eye Institute.Cataracts.National Eye Institute.Diabetic Retinopathy.American Optometric Association.Low vision and vision rehabilitation.Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. Vision health initiative.Vision Loss.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Foundation for the Blind.Low vision and legal blindness terms and descriptions.VisionAware.What Are Low Vision Optical Devices?VisionAware.Helpful Non-optical Devices for Low Vision.International Academy of Low Vision Specialists.Find a low vision doctor.American Optometric Association.Find a doctor of optometry.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Find an ophthalmologist.VisionAware.The Low Vision Examination.National Eye Institute.Diabetic Retinopathy.National Eye Institute.Glaucoma.National Eye Institute.Cataracts.National Eye Institute.Diabetic Retinopathy.American Optometric Association.Low vision and vision rehabilitation.
American Foundation for the Blind.Low vision and legal blindness terms and descriptions.
VisionAware.What Are Low Vision Optical Devices?
VisionAware.Helpful Non-optical Devices for Low Vision.
International Academy of Low Vision Specialists.Find a low vision doctor.
American Optometric Association.Find a doctor of optometry.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Find an ophthalmologist.
VisionAware.The Low Vision Examination.
National Eye Institute.Diabetic Retinopathy.
National Eye Institute.Glaucoma.
National Eye Institute.Cataracts.
American Optometric Association.Low vision and vision rehabilitation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vision health initiative.Vision Loss.
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