Poor eyesight can be more then just a burden; it can change your entire lifestyle, from your ability to drive yourself around to reading the recipe for dinner. As we age, we typically don’t see as well as we did when we were younger. However, you can adapt to your new vision without compromising your independence. With treatment from Dennis L. Kilpatrick, MD or William R. Kilpatrick, MD here at Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons, you can set a clear path to more perfect vision.
Living with Poor Eyesight
Low vision impacts all of us as we age, and yet many individuals can successfully manage poor vision with a simple pair of reading glasses. For others, poor vision can be caused by macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, or diabetic retinopathy, and may need more advanced methods of management.
Here are some wonderful tips from our ophthalmologists with over 40 years of experience in improving patient’s vision:
Change the Lighting – You can very simply alter the lighting throughout your home to shed some light on areas of the home you use the most. For example, by adding increased lighting to the kitchen and areas where you read recipes, you can facilitate better vision.
Change the Color – If you’re having trouble finding the light switch, simply change the color of the switch so it doesn’t blend in with the wall paint behind it. Many homes have white walls with white light switches, which can make it difficult for individuals with poor vision.
Current Prescriptions – One of the best tips our Scottsdale ophthalmologists can give you is to keep your eyeglass prescription current, which can help you adapt to your vision problems. Anti-glare coatings and special tints offered in our Optical Boutique can also dramatically improve functional vision.
Visual Aids – Besides your prescription glasses or contact lenses, you can invest in magnifying lenses or large-print books and newspapers. If you’d rather read on a digital device, simply enlarge the font through the settings and give your eyes a break.
Support – If you live near family and close friends, take advantage of that support system and what it can offer. A group of friends and family can improve your quality of life, improve mood and help you better cope with poor vision.
Contrast – Just as with changing the color of items in your house, creating contrasts between two items can help to improve your ability to complete the task at hand. For example, if you are pouring milk into a bowl or cup, make sure that bowl or cup is a dark, contrasting color. This will make it easier to see exactly when to stop filling that glass. The same goes for everything in your home. If you bathroom countertop is white, use dark, contrasting colored toothbrush and toothpaste.
There are many little things that can be done to improve your quality of life, even as your vision fades with time. Of course, the best prevention to poor vision is regular eye exams. Call to make your appointment today.