Low Vision Awareness Month: Understanding Low Vision and the Support Available
- Lynn Valley Optometry
- 4 minutes ago
- 4 min read
February is Low Vision Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding, reducing stigma, and highlighting the support available for people living with vision loss. Low vision affects more than eyesight alone — it can influence independence, confidence, and quality of life for individuals and the people who care about them.
At Lynn Valley Optometry, we believe that even when vision cannot be fully corrected, there is still a great deal that can be done to help people live well with the vision they have.
What Is Low Vision?
Low vision is not complete blindness. It’s a significant visual impairment that affects daily activities like reading, recognizing faces, navigating your home, or using a smartphone — even with your best corrective lenses. Everyday tasks may become frustrating or even unsafe when vision loss isn’t addressed effectively.
"In the past, low vision was defined as vision 20/70 or less. The definition now is vision loss not correctable with standard glasses or contact lenses that affects the person’s functional abilities. So, it’s not about a number now. It’s about reduced vision that’s affecting the quality of life of the individual and their functional abilities."
This modern definition shifts the focus from test results to real life. Low vision is about how vision loss affects daily activities such as reading, recognizing faces, navigating safely, using technology, or maintaining independence at home.
If vision changes are interfering with everyday tasks — even with glasses or contact lenses — low vision care may help.
Why Low Vision Awareness Month Matters
Low vision is more common than many people realize, especially as we age or live with chronic eye conditions. Yet many individuals delay seeking help because they believe nothing more can be done.
Low Vision Awareness Month helps to:
Educate patients, families, and caregivers about the signs of functional vision loss
Raise awareness that low vision care and rehabilitation options exist
Encourage proactive eye exams and early support
Reduce feelings of isolation for people living with vision impairment
Most importantly, awareness opens the door to solutions that can improve safety, confidence, and quality of life.
Common Causes of Low Vision
Low vision can result from a wide range of eye and neurological conditions, including:
Retinal detachment or retinal disease
Stroke or brain injury
Inherited retinal conditions
Each condition affects vision differently, which is why low vision care must be personalized rather than one-size-fits-all.
Understanding the cause is the first step.
A comprehensive eye exam allows us to assess your eye health, clarify what’s affecting your vision, and guide you toward the right next steps.
How Low Vision Care Helps
Low vision care focuses on helping people use their remaining vision more effectively. While it does not restore lost vision, it can significantly improve how vision is used in daily life.
At Lynn Valley Optometry, our low vision services are designed to support functional vision and independence through a thoughtful, individualized approach.
Personalized Functional Vision Assessment
Low vision care begins with a comprehensive assessment that looks beyond the eye chart. We take time to understand how vision loss affects your daily activities, goals, and environment — whether that means reading, hobbies, work tasks, or navigating safely at home.
Specialized Low Vision Devices and Tools
Depending on your needs, we may recommend adaptive tools such as:
Optical and electronic magnifiers
High-powered or task-specific glasses
Telescopic lenses
Enhanced lighting solutions
Technology-based visual aids
These tools are carefully selected and demonstrated to ensure they are practical and effective for real-world use.
Training and Visual Strategies
Learning how to use low vision devices and visual strategies is just as important as the devices themselves. We provide guidance on techniques such as contrast enhancement, lighting optimization, and alternative viewing strategies to improve comfort and performance.
Lifestyle and Home Support
Small changes in the home or daily routine can make a meaningful difference. We help patients and families identify simple adjustments that improve safety, accessibility, and independence.
Low Vision Affects More Than One Person
Vision loss doesn’t just affect the individual — it impacts families, caregivers, and loved ones as well. Low vision care often includes education and support for those helping someone navigate daily life with reduced vision.
By addressing functional challenges early, families can feel more confident supporting independence rather than stepping in only when tasks become overwhelming.
Whether you’re living with low vision or supporting someone who is, our team is here to guide you with care, education, and practical solutions that support independence and quality of life.
Taking the Next Step This Low Vision Awareness Month
If you or someone you love is experiencing vision loss that cannot be fully corrected with glasses or contact lenses, support is available.
Low Vision Awareness Month is an opportunity to move beyond acceptance and explore solutions that help preserve independence, safety, and quality of life.
Book Your Complimentary Phone Consultation Today
At Lynn Valley Optometry, we are committed to helping you make the most of the vision you have. If you or a loved one are experiencing vision loss that affects daily life, our low vision care focuses on practical support, personalized strategies, and tools that help maintain independence and confidence.
📞 Call us at 604-987-9191 to book your low vision consultation.
YOUR VISION, YOUR LIFE — WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE IT
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