A Caregiver's Guide to Coping With Vision Loss
Medically reviewed by Bryan M. Wolynski, ODFact checked by Angela UnderwoodMedically reviewed by Bryan M. Wolynski, ODFact checked by Angela Underwood
Losing one's vision can be frightening, and losing the ability to care for yourself is something none of us want to ever think about. Many of us don't realize how much we rely on visual cues to accomplish all that we do in a single day. Vision loss—even mild vision loss—can be devastating and life-changing.
Some conditions that cause slow vision loss include:
Whether it happens to you or someone you love, all sorts of emotions may be experienced. The effects can be both physical and emotional, affecting not only the person suffering the loss but also their family and other loved ones around them. Normal, everyday tasks such as dressing in the morning or cooking a favorite meal can become quite difficult, even impossible, causing a loss of independence and severe anxiety. Caring for someone with vision loss can also be physically and emotionally draining. Learning ways to help others cope with vision loss can greatly ease the fears and emotional turmoil that it causes.
Vision Loss and Grief
Some doctors compare the initial reaction to vision loss to the Kubler-Ross different stages of grief after the loss of a loved one. The person experiencing vision loss often goes through the same process. Grieving is a natural response to a significant loss. The five stages of grief include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and then finally acceptance. Understanding the feelings that go along with these stages can greatly help ease fears.
Denial: When someone receives news about a significant loss, a feeling of disbelief can overtake them. Even after some time has passed, these feelings of disbelief can occur again and again.
Anger: A person with vision loss may ask "why me?" As feelings of shock and denial start to lessen, extra energy is available to express feelings of anger. Anger helps people to move forward and direct their grief outward.
Bargaining: When you feel helpless about a situation, this can lead to despair. Sometimes out of desperation, a person might try to "bargain" with themselves, others, or a higher power to get rid of the pain. They might make promises such as "If I get my vision back, I will be a better person," or "I promise never to do X again."
Depression: Feelings of sadness and isolation are hard to overcome. A person will feel alone, thinking that no one else could possibly understand the impact of their loss. These feelings of sadness tend to make people withdraw from their usual social lives, leaving them with feelings of hopelessness.
Acceptance: During the final stage of grief, a sense of hope starts to return. One begins to experience periods of optimism for the future. With this hope comes acquiring new skills that enable a return to normal activities.
Vision Loss and Isolation
One of the most important ways to help someone with vision loss is to let them know they are not alone. Over seven million Americans have vision loss including one million with blindness.
It is important to let loved ones know they can reach out to others experiencing vision loss, as well as professionals such as their eye doctor, low-vision specialists, or someone specializing in occupational therapy. Other resources can be accessed to ease the challenges of adjustment. VisionAware is a website sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind and Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation. It offers a state-by-state directory of services for the visually impaired.
A Return to Normal
As a caregiver, assure your patient or loved one that if they are willing to make adjustments, it is possible for them to continue to enjoy their favorite hobbies and activities. The more they are willing to continue to participate in society, the easier it will be for them to continue their favorite activities. Let them know they don't have to stop working, either. Although there are exceptions for certain jobs, many people who develop vision loss continue in their current professions. You've probably come into contact with people every day with low vision and didn’t realize it because they are functioning at a very high level, even with decreased vision.
Reaching Out for Help
When they are ready, you may consider enrolling your loved one in a class to learn new skills for regaining independence. Classes are taught by vision-mobility specialists who help teach alternative techniques to maintain independence. Occupational therapists also teach the mobility and motor skills that are required to function with low vision.
There are also mental health professionals who specialize in vision loss or disabilities.
Solutions and tools are available to assist in cooking a favorite meal in the kitchen safely, getting around efficiently in the home, paying bills alone, and performing other tasks that are essential to everyday living. Technology has advanced to assist with these activities. Computers and appliances can be adapted to better suit someone with decreased vision.
The Lighthouse Guild offers many resources for those dealing with vision loss.
Tips for Coping
Those with significant vision loss can be taught how to continue living a productive life. The following is a list of hints and tips for helping someone with reduced vision learn how to cope with everyday activities:
High-powered eyeglass lenses can magnify reading material. High-powered magnifying lenses with built-in lighting can be used for reading and other small items that need to be seen clearly.
Digital magnifying devices use video or pictures to enlarge certain items for viewing.
Many books, newspapers, and magazines are available in a large-print format.
Audiobooks allow the enjoyment of books that are more difficult to read.
Removing clutter and repositioning furniture can make it easier to walk between rooms or up stairwells.
Increasing the number and the brightness of the lights and lamps around the house can aid in vision. Installing better task lighting under kitchen cabinets and stoves will aid in cooking and preparing meals.
Keeping regular visits to the optometrist or ophthalmologist will keep a check on your eye and vision health. Correcting vision problems in addition to using low-vision devices will better utilize your remaining vision.
A Word From Verywell
If a loved one has suffered vision loss, there are some things you can do and say that will be very helpful. A family member or friend of someone who has experienced vision loss becomes an important partner in the process of vision rehabilitation. They may be experiencing great stress and anxiety when they begin to find it difficult or impossible to write, read, or drive. Here are some tips to help your loved one better cope with their vision loss:
Avoid being overprotective.
Help build self-confidence.
Recognize progress being made.
Encourage self-reliance.
Don’t be afraid. Ask directly how you can assist.
Ask before helping to encourage independence.
Let them know you are available and always there if they need help with something specific.
Talk about their issues, and don’t be afraid to work on finding solutions together.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
