Vision Health Resources
I can't see as well as I used to
VISION LOSS AND AGING
What you can do ...
How we can help ...
As we grow older, our eyes grow older, too.
We may have trouble reading the telephone book or a newspaper. It may take us a minute to adjust when we step out of a
building into bright sunlight. We may no longer be able to see well enough to drive a car.
Sometimes, glasses or a minor operation can correct the problem. Sometimes, learning to live with low vision is another, less
welcome, aspect of aging.
A person with low vision may have difficulty recognizing a face across the street or reading a menu in a restaurant. Low
vision cannot be corrected with regular glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery.
The CNIB has been working with people with low
vision for 80 years. We have expert mobility specialists and teachers,
some of
the best technology available, an excellent library, and helpful
volunteers. We understand the challenges facing a person with low
vision. We
are here to help you to make the most of the vision you have.
Aging eyes--What you can do
For romantics, eyes are the windows of the soul.
For scientists, the eye is an organ that communicates complex
information to
the brain. There is still a lot of research to be done, but we
do know quite a lot about how we see and what we can do to see better as
our
eyes age.
PUT A LITTLE LIGHT ON THE SITUATION.
1. Light. No one, not even cats, can see in total blackness. We need light to see, and as our eyes age, we need more light to
see well. People with low vision benefit from a bright, even, constant light source.
TURN DOWN THE GLARE.
2. Glare. While good, even light is helpful,
glare is not. Generally, our eyes have more trouble adapting to abrupt
changes in
lighting as we grow older. Bright sunlight, glare from a window,
and reflection from a glass tabletop can all make it harder to see.
SHARPEN THE CONTRAST.
3. Contrast. Objects of similar colours next to
each other are hard to tell apart. Young eyes can usually pick up colour
distinctions more easily but older eyes may, for instance, have
trouble seeing the edge of a carpeted stair or the rim of a white plate
on a
white tablecloth. Strong colour contrasts help us to see.
Some suggestions
Here are some suggestions that people with low vision can follow to make life a little bit easier.
EATING
Light-coloured plates will show up better against a dark placemat or tabletop. Dark plates show up better against a light
background. Similarly, light-coloured food will show up better on a dark dish, dark food on a light dish.
If you set your place at the table the same way
every day, then you know what to expect. Drinking glass on the right.
Salt and
pepper on the left. You can do the same thing with the food on
your plate. Potatoes at one o'clock. Meat at six o'clock. Vegetables at
nine
o'clock. A little planning can make mealtime more enjoyable and
spill-free.
Using the clock method to place food on the plate can make meals more enjoyable.
"I was depressed when I finally admitted that
my sight wasn't so good anymore, and my doctor said that there was
nothing to be done about it. Then, I discovered that there
were some things I could do. My son helped me install a light over my
kitchen
sink. I rearranged the furniture so I wouldn't keep tripping
in the same spot, I learned about talking books that I can borrow from
the CNIB
library and I found large-print books at my public library.
You know, the little things can make all the difference in the world."
COOKING
Good lighting helps a lot, especially in the kitchen. Consider putting a brighter bulb in a ceiling light and installing
lights under kitchen cupboards that are above counters to light the counter space better.
You can label spice jars, food tins, and
containers with your own homemade labels. Use a thick black marker to
write on an
index card or piece of white paper and attach the label to the
jar or tin with an elastic band or tape. Try to figure out a system that
will
work best for you.
Thinking about colour contrast can also be useful when you are cooking. You may find it easier to use a mixing bowl that is a
contrasting colour to your counter top and to the ingredients you are mixing in it.
READING
If you had children, you probably told them
again and again to use a proper light when they were reading. Or, maybe
you
remember your parents reminding you! Children seem to be able to
read anywhere. Older eyes need better lighting. It is best to have a
good
light source coming from over your shoulder when you read.
The CNIB has a national library that circulates
talking books and magazines to provide readers of all ages with quality
recordings on tape. As well, public libraries usually have a
large-print book section and tape recordings of popular books.
"I always thought the CNIB was just for people
who can't see at all. Until the other day. My mother asked me to try to
find something to help her read the classified ads in the
newspaper. She loves garage sales! I went to our local CNIB office just
because I
was passing by. The staff was so knowledgeable and friendly,
and I found an excellent magnifier for my mom. Now I know the CNIB is
there to
help anyone with a vision problem."
GETTING AROUND INSIDE
Consider re-arranging the furniture in your home
to suit your needs. Are there some places where you find it hard to
see? Do
you often bump into the same chair or have trouble with the
stairs? Where do you like to sit? Think about sources of light, glare
and
contrast. You may find that a few adjustments will make a big
improvement.
Here are some examples of changes you can make
at home. You can paint the edges of stairs or put down a strip of carpet
tape
in a contrasting colour to contrast one stair from the stair
above and below it. A colourful blanket on the back of a light-coloured
chair can
make the chair easier to see. Light switches can be made to
stand out by using brightly coloured light plates that contrast with the
wall
behind them.
Getting into, or going back to, certain habits
can be helpful too. For instance, always try to leave a door fully
closed or
wide open and remind other people in your home to do the same.
Push chairs right back under the table as soon as you get up and put
things
back where they belong right away. These are all lessons we
learned growing up that may become really useful now.
GETTING AROUND OUTSIDE
Here are two familiar suggestions for safer
trips away from home: "Plan ahead" and "Take your time". If
you plan your route before you leave home, you can think about
where you are going, what money you need to have ready, and the best
places to
cross the street. And, if you give yourself a bit more time than
you think you'll need, you won't end up in a rush.
Bright sunlight can make it hard to see. The CNIB has a wide selection of sunglasses that screen out ultraviolet rays from all
directions and cut down on glare. They are for sale at a very reasonable price.
When getting around outside your home, always try to plan ahead and take your time. This will help you gain confidence and
feel more comfortable in places that are not familiar.
How we can help.
If you are living with low vision, you may worry
that you will have to give up many of your favourite activities. The
CNIB is
here to help. We are in the independence business. The CNIB
offers services to help people who are blind or visually impaired adjust
to
declining vision so that they can continue to lead active and
independent lives. For more information about CNIB services, call your
local
CNIB division office.
If you found this pamphlet interesting, you may also wish to read our brochures on specific eye conditions such as:
-
macular degeneration
-
glaucoma
-
diabetes and the eye
-
cataracts
To order these or for further information, call 1-800-513-7813.
The CNIB has offices in 60 communities across Canada. The telephone number is in the White Pages of the telephone book under
"Canadian National Institute for the Blind."
To find out the location of the nearest CNIB office, call the Division Office in your province or territory.