While living with low vision can be a challenge, there are several types of devices and tools that can make life easier and help you or a loved one maintain their independence. February is Low Vision Awareness Month and a good time to become familiar with low vision and these helpful devices.

Low vision involves a visual impairment that is not fully corrected by undergoing a vision treatment, such as surgery or wearing prescription eyeglasses. Various eye diseases can lead to low vision, such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Having low vision does not necessarily mean a person is blind, but they may be considered legally blind. 

Sickle cell anemia is a rare inherited condition that affects the blood cells in the body. The disease largely affects people with ancestors from sub-Saharan Africa, Spanish-speaking regions in the Western Hemisphere, Saudi Arabia, India, and Mediterranean countries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, sickle cell anemia affects about 100,000 people.

September is National Sickle Cells Month. The article below takes a look at what sickle cell is and how it can affect the eyes. 
​

​According to the National Institute on Ageing, in the United States, over six million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease. The reason Alzheimer’s disease occurs is not completely known. Researchers believe it could be a combination of genetic factors and changes to the brain that occur over time.
​
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s include:

• Problems with memory
• Mood changes
• Trouble concentrating
• Impaired reasoning

Alzheimer’s disease often touches all areas of a person’s life. It can even affect their vision. October is World Alzheimer’s Month and is a good time to take a look at ways to cope with eye issues related to Alzheimer’s disease. 
​

May is Stroke Awareness Month. Most of us have heard of a stroke and know it can affect our brain, but there is also another type of stroke you may not be as familiar with, called an eye stroke. An eye stroke can lead to vision loss, which may be permanent. Keep reading below to learn if you are at risk for an eye stroke and what you can do to prevent it. 

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that leads to central vision loss. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, over two million adults over the age of 50 have late-stage AMD that threatens vision. 

February is Low Vision Awareness Month. It is a good opportunity to learn more about AMD, including the five facts below. 
​