Blurriness, Reduced Contrast Sensitivity, Glare Sensitivity, and Night Blindness

What Are The Causes And Challenges Of Blurred Vision, Reduced Contrast Sensitivity, Glare Sensitivity, and Night Blindness?

All of these types of low vision deficits may be caused by a variety of factors, including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, inoperable cataracts, glaucoma, refraction errors of the eye, or traumatic injury.

Due to the complexity of the visual system, there are a wide range of conditions that may cause these symptoms including: 

• Optic neuritis
• Stroke
• Retinal Detachment 
• Macular Hole 
• Temporal arteritis
• Uveitis
• Optic Nerve Disorders/Multiple Sclerosis
• Traumatic Brain Injury 
• Usher Syndrome
• Nystagmus 

Less severe causes: 

• Corneal abrasion 
• Ocular Migraine 
• Conjunctivitis/Pink Eye
• Iritis 
• Keratitis
• Complications after LASIK or refractive surgery 
• Vitamin A deficiency 
• High Myopia or Astigmatism

What Does A Low Vision Eye Exam Look Like?

During the exam, a low level optometrist will inquire about the patient's medical history, the nature of the visual difficulties, and how it impacts daily life. There are many tests for visual acuity and visual field to assist in a diagnosis. A thorough interview and physical exam allows the doctor to formulate a vision care plan for living with this condition.

What Interventions Are Available?

Low vision is irreversible. Routine eye exams are important for detecting and monitoring complications so that early interventions can be implemented. Low vision optometrists help patients maximize remaining eyesight by incorporating visual aids (both optical and non-optical), assistive technologies, and rehabilitation therapy. 

• Optical devices: Specialty glasses, prisms, filters, telescopic devices, binoculars, and other visual devices are used to improve deficits.  Using tinted glasses and anti reflective lenses are a highly effective, inexpensive, way to improve contrast sensitivity.
• Magnifiers: There are many types of magnifiers available, from small hand-held models, to powerful electronic magnifiers. CCTV devices project magnified images on a monitor. They are useful for color contrast sensitivity.
• Lighting: Proper lighting options should be full spectrum or high in the Color Rendering Index (CRI), which makes it easier to see colors and improve color contrast sensitivity. 
• Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation therapy teaches strategies and techniques for maximizing remaining eyesight and learning skills which enable people to lead normal lives. Treatment may involve co-management with an occupational therapist. 
• Assistive technologies: These include speech-to-text, text-to-speech, voice activation software, software for contrast adjustment, and computer screen readers.

Proper use of digital devices: By properly using settings on hardware devices, people can benefit from the appropriate level of brightness, contrast, lighting, and magnification that matches their needs.

You Can Enjoy A High-Quality Of Life

Difficulty with contrast, glare and light sensitivity, and night blindness can cause major distress and difficulties to a patients life. Oftentime,  standard interventions such as glasses and contact lenses aren't effective. Thanks to the many available interventions today to deal with visual deficits, people are engaging in daily activities and living enjoyable lives. 

If you are experiencing symptoms of blurry vision, night blindness, glare, or contrast sensitivity, schedule an exam with our low vision optometrist to find out more about the many available options for improved living.