Vision is our dominant sense, and while experiencing vision loss is frightening and overwhelming for people of any age, if you are an older adult who is losing vision, you may have a unique set of added challenges. Eye health and vision loss is a major issue for aging adults. From age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma, to diabetic retinopathy and others eye diseases, there are currently 16-million Americans that report some form of visual impairment. While these figures are already high, they are expected to double by 2030. When visual impairment begins, questions and concerns start to swirl. Will you be able to remain independent in your own home? Will you be able to continue to purse future career goals? Will you still be able to carry on with life’s passions, such as getting together with friends and going on vacation? These questions may stem from “low vision” that may be first noticed when you have trouble performing daily tasks like paying bills or reading the morning newspaper, even when you are wearing corrective lenses. The term “low vision” refers to a significant reduction in visual acuity that normal eyeglasses, contacts, medication or surgery can not entirely correct. Often times, there is a loss of sharpness or contrast resulting from a variety of eye diseases, disorders, and injuries that affect the eye. For example, AMD is the leading cause of all blindness and visual impairment in adults over the age of 50. It is characterized by a progressive loss of central vision and accounts for almost 45-percent of all low vision cases. Despite visual impairment, there are options and resources to support those either facing this challenge, or caring for someone who is. With the correct tools, everyone with a visual impairment will be able to do more than they thought they could do. Technology is changing rapidly and now there are a number of solutions that can help the visually impaired. Many of these new tools are not well known, but they can change your life, as well as that of your peers, family, and friends who may assist you on a daily basis. One company offering these new tools to deal with low vision is Optelec. With a mission to enable the blind and visually impaired to maintain their independence, the company is committed to bridging the gap between eye disease, prevention, awareness, and product solutions. With its U.S. headquarters in San Diego, Optelec equips users with solutions including desktop and portable electronic video magnifiers, and a range of more than 4,000 daily living aids available through their Website: www.shoplowvision.com. Optelec’s products have been designed to improve the quality of life and mobility for low vision users, and to help those who are in school, on-the-go, at-home or at-work. By using these tools, the visually impaired are empowered to read newspaper headlines, view color contrasts in photos, and see flight schedules more clearly while traveling. Andre Hardy, the president of Optelec US Inc., recently answered some of the more frequent questions he hears from people who are experiencing vision loss. He also shared some tips to educate people about the available coping mechanisms. Question: How do I know if I have low vision? Hardy: There are many signs that can signal vision loss. For example, even while wearing your regular glasses, you may have difficulty reading street sign, recognizing the faces of friends and relatives, or doing things that require you to see up-close, like reading, cooking, sewing, or fixing things around the house. You may notice problems in picking out and matching the color of your clothes, and the lights of your home or office may seem dimmer than they used to. Vision changes like these could be early warning signs of eye disease. Usually, the earlier your problem is diagnosed, the better the chance of successful treatment and keeping your remaining vision. Question: What should a person do if he or she has low vision? Hardy: A person who is having these vision difficulties should immediately make an appointment with an eye care professional for an eye examination. If the person’s vision cannot be treated by conventional methods, such as glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery, then he or she should ask about vision rehabilitation. These services may include eye examinations, a low vision evaluation, training on how to use visual and adaptive devices, support groups, and ways to perform everyday activities in new ways. It is also strongly recommended that people get involved with associations, private, non-profit and government organizations that exist to aid the visually impaired. Our company is doing this. We are launching a new nationwide public outreach campaign this spring that will amplify eye health and low vision awareness called VisionZone. The goal of VisionZone is to connect the eye care, visually impaired, and caretaker communities through a blended interactive experience, both virtually and in-person. Question: What tips can you offer about types of low vision aids? Hardy: Solutions do exist that allow the visually impaired and according to the World Health Organization, with today’s knowledge and technology, up to 80 percent of global blindness is preventable or treatable. These things would include Electronic Video Magnifiers. Also referred to as Closed-Circuit Televisions (CCTV), these reading machines provide magnified and illuminated viewing assistance. They will enlarge text or images and provide multiple viewing options with text/backgrounds such as yellow on blue, yellow on black, or green on black. Depending on the device, it will offer distance and/or near viewing. There are also Non-Optical Daily Living Aids such as cell phones with bold lighting and large buttons, talking watches, and liquid level indicators that provide an auditory signal to notify users when trying to fill a cup. We also offer a compact mini portable video magnifier that is ideal for ordering off a menu at a restaurant, shopping or traveling. Question: How has technology changed for visual impairment? Hardy: While there are new retinal medical procedures that allow patients to regain a portion of their eye sight, they still experience a blurred central vision needed for seeing objects clearly. Realizing that, we recently introduced our Clear View Plus High Definition desktop video magnifier. By using this characters and images become clear and crisp, despite poor central vision. Question: What are some healthy eye tips I should be aware of? Hardy: There are preventative measures that people need to start taking in order to protect their eye sight – all of which have been scientifically proven. Exercise protects eyesight. Regular physical activity can help improve blood flow to the retina and optic nerve. It can reduce the risk of AMD by up to 70%. One should also maintain a healthy, nutritious diet. Nutrient-dense foods high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Lutein, Zeaxathin and Bilbens lead to stronger eye health. Eyes should also always be protected from the sun. You should wear sunglasses with 100% UV ray protection. Computer screens should be checked to ensure the screen is not too close, but also not too far away causing eye fatigue and strain. Then, make sure you schedule an annual eye exam. Regular check-ups can increase the early detection of problems.