Óptica Carreras Low vision
Low vision refers to a significant visual limitation that cannot be fully corrected with conventional glasses, contact lenses or surgery, but does not mean blindness. People with low vision retain residual sight that, with the right intervention, can be used to maintain independence and quality of life.
The goal of low vision care is not "perfect sight", but to see better and live better.
When do we talk about low vision?
Low vision is present when, even with the best possible correction, there are difficulties with everyday activities such as:
- Reading.
- Recognising faces.
- Watching television.
- Finding your way around indoors or outdoors.
- Doing precision tasks.
These limitations can affect independence, safety and self-esteem.
Most frequent causes of low vision
Low vision can be associated with different eye conditions, including:
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- Glaucoma.
- Diabetic retinopathy.
- Inherited retinal diseases.
- Visual after-effects of a stroke.
- High (pathological) myopia and its complications.
- Other chronic eye diseases.
Every case requires an individual assessment.
Specialised low vision assessment
Low vision care begins with a specific optometric study, different from a conventional eye test.
We assess:
- Functional residual vision.
- Contrast sensitivity.
- The visual field.
- Reading ability.
- The patient's real needs in daily life.
The focus is not only on the condition, but on what the person wants and needs to do with their vision.
Low vision optical aids
Optical aids are tools designed to make the most of residual vision in people with low vision, making everyday activities possible that would otherwise be difficult or impossible.
There is no universal optical aid: the right choice depends on the eye condition, the level of functional vision, the visual field, contrast sensitivity and, above all, the patient's real everyday needs.
The aim is not to increase the prescription, but to improve visual functionality.
Selective absorption filters
Within low vision care, selective absorption filters are a fundamental tool for improving visual comfort and contrast, especially in people with glare or light sensitivity.
These filters are designed to block specific wavelengths in a controlled way, especially in the blue spectrum, which cause greater light scatter, glare and eye strain.
By filtering these wavelengths, the light becomes more "useful" for the visual system, making it easier for the brain to process.
What benefits do they bring?
- Significantly reduced glare.
- Improved contrast.
- Greater visual comfort indoors and outdoors.
- Less eye strain.
- Greater safety when moving around.
Many patients describe the experience like this: "I don't see more, but I see better."
When are they indicated?
Selective absorption filters can be especially beneficial in:
- AMD.
- Diabetic retinopathy.
- Glaucoma.
- Retinal conditions.
- High myopia.
- Photophobia.
- Visual after-effects of a stroke.
The choice of filter is completely personalised, made after trying different options in the practice and assessing the patient's real visual response.
Optical aids for near vision
Near-vision aids are mainly aimed at improving reading, writing and precision tasks.
They may include:
- Hand-held magnifiers — Useful for quick tasks such as reading labels, prices or leaflets. Available in different magnifications, sizes and designs.
- Stand magnifiers — Placed directly on the text, allowing a more comfortable posture and a steadier image.
- Illuminated magnifiers — Built-in light improves contrast and reduces visual effort, especially with retinal conditions.
- High-magnification optical systems for prolonged reading — Designed for reading books or documents for longer, always adapted to the patient's working distance and visual field.
Each of these aids is tried out in the practice, teaching the patient the correct working distance and technique to get the best out of it.
Optical aids for distance and intermediate vision
Low vision affects not only reading, but also activities such as:
- Recognising faces.
- Watching television.
- Reading signs.
- Finding your way in open spaces.
For these situations we use:
- Telescopic systems — They improve distance vision for specific tasks, such as reading signs, screens or details far away.
- Optical aids for intermediate vision — Especially useful for tasks such as using computers or tablets, or household activities.
These aids require specific training, as they involve learning to locate the object and keep it within the useful visual field.
Electronic and digital aids
Electronic aids have been a major step forward in low vision, as they allow magnification, contrast and lighting to be adjusted in a personalised way.
They include:
- Portable electronic magnifiers.
- Desktop devices for prolonged reading.
- Digital solutions for screen use.
These aids offer greater flexibility and can be especially useful for active people or those with changing needs.
Training in the use of optical aids
Just as important as the aid itself is learning how to use it. That is why every optical aid comes with:
- Specific visual training.
- Progressive adaptation.
- Follow-up and adjustments.
The patient learns to:
- Position the aid correctly.
- Optimise distance and posture.
- Build the aid into their daily routine.
This increases effectiveness and prevents the device being abandoned.
A functional, personalised approach
Optical aids are part of a comprehensive low vision plan, adapted to:
- Current visual abilities.
- The patient's expectations.
- Their environment and lifestyle.
The final goal is to recover independence, safety and confidence, allowing the person to keep doing the activities that give meaning to their day.
In low vision, every small gain counts, and a well-chosen optical aid can make a real difference to quality of life.
