Our vision is constantly in demand. Losing it in whole or in part can quickly become a major handicap in our daily lives. Yet, low vision remains a little-discussed, often misunderstood, and underestimated topic. The objective of this article is to explain what low vision is, to highlight the real impacts it has on daily life, and to demonstrate why greater collective awareness is essential to anticipate future needs. Prevention, screening, and access to a low vision assessment are essential levers for effective action.

 

Understanding Low Vision

 

Low vision refers to a visual impairment that cannot be corrected by conventional corrective lenses, medical treatments, or surgical procedures. It therefore corresponds to a profound and lasting impairment of visual function. Low vision is defined as visual acuity below 3/10⁽¹⁾.

 

Unlike blindness, which involves an almost complete or even total loss of visual perception, low vision leaves usable visual remnants, but often fragmented. Symptoms vary depending on the pathology: blurred vision, dark spots, loss of central vision, peripheral impairment, contrast perception disorders, glare, difficulties in low light, etc.

 

The causes are multiple. In older people, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is by far the most common. Other etiologies include glaucoma , diabetic retinopathies , or genetic pathologies such as Stargardt disease . It is also worth noting the earlier onset of visual disturbances linked to prolonged exposure to screens, certain working conditions, or metabolic factors.

 

In France, according to the Rothschild Foundation, approximately 1.5 million people suffer from low vision.

 

An underestimated public health issue

 

Low vision is much more than just visual discomfort. It profoundly alters the quality of life of those who suffer from it. Difficulty reading, moving around, recognizing faces, finding one's way in public places, and more. Every daily task becomes a challenge. The psychological consequences are also significant: anxiety, isolation, loss of confidence, and even depression.

 

On a socioeconomic level, the repercussions are also considerable. People with low vision often require specific adjustments to their homes (lighting, contrast, signage). To address this, the acquisition of sometimes expensive visual aids and/or mobility support are necessary. For some, this also results in the cessation of professional activity, increased loss of autonomy, or even placement in an institution.

 

Despite this, low vision remains insufficiently integrated into public health campaigns. Vision disorders are still often equated with simple optical correction needs, ignoring the specificities of functional deficiencies. Many patients seek care late, due to a lack of information about the early signs. It is therefore imperative to establish a culture of vision prevention that goes beyond vision correction.

 

Some initiatives are trying to make a difference. Visual Health Month , organized every October by ASNAV , raises awareness of vision prevention at all ages, particularly through free check-ups at partner opticians. There is also World Sight Day , which, every second Thursday in October, gives rise to communication campaigns, information workshops and screening operations. These events play a fundamental role in making the issues of low vision visible.

 

Low vision assessment for appropriate care

 

The low vision assessment is the cornerstone of care. It is a specialized evaluation that determines the patient's remaining visual potential and identifies solutions suited to their profile. Unlike a simple eye exam, this assessment is multidimensional.

 

It allows us to take into account objective visual performance (acuity, field, contrast sensitivity) and to list the patient's specific needs in their environment (reading, movement, communication, leisure). It is thus possible to offer suitable technical aids and provide advice in terms of adapting the environment, for example.

 

The goal is to direct each patient toward personalized rehabilitation , appropriate support (occupational therapy, locomotion, psychological support) and optimization of autonomy . This assessment is also an opportunity to raise awareness among loved ones and organize network support. It can be carried out in specialized hospitals, by trained opticians or within dedicated regional platforms.

 

Specialized networks facilitate access to low vision assessments thanks to a network of partner centers located throughout the country. These assessments often include testing of adapted equipment (electronic magnifiers, filters, video magnifiers), with personalized support and, in some cases, home installation.

 

On the hospital side, facilities like the CHNO des Quinze-Vingts in Paris or the Low Vision Center at the Nancy University Hospital offer multidisciplinary consultations. These programs involve ophthalmologists, orthoptists, psychologists, and occupational therapists, allowing for comprehensive care. This type of assessment is a decisive step in ending medical uncertainty and guiding patients toward concrete solutions.

 

Acting together to no longer leave low vision in the shadows

 

Providing information about low vision can no longer depend on isolated initiatives. It's a collective, urgent, and cross-functional issue. Healthcare professionals, public institutions, associations, and the media all have a role to play in raising awareness of the signs, providing guidance, support, and guidance.

 

Ophthalmologists are often the first to detect warning signs. Their role doesn't end with diagnosis: they are the first point of contact for a specialized assessment and an informed dialogue with loved ones. Orthoptists and opticians also play an active role: offering simple tests, explaining existing solutions, presenting test equipment, and reassuring patients throughout their procedures.

 

On the institutional side, integrating low vision into public health policies would allow for earlier action: information campaigns, continuing professional training, coordinated pathways and better recognition of technical aids are all levers that are still under-exploited.

 

Low vision should no longer be a silent inevitability. It is common and can be effectively treated, provided it is caught early. Raising awareness allows everyone to better understand, better anticipate... and better live with it.

 

 

To go further, at Magic Sight , we have designed an AR/VR connected glasses solution, designed to offer increased visual comfort and promote autonomy in everyday life. Contact us to find out more or discover the video testimonials .

 


⁽¹⁾Source: aveuglesdefrance.org

⁽²⁾Source: fo-rothschild.fr