low vision
Diminished visual acuity
Low vision is significant visual impairment that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery.
It falls between normal vision and total blindness—people with low vision retain some usable sight but struggle with everyday tasks like reading or recognizing faces.
The library has a low vision section with large-print books.
Navigation aid for blindness
- guide dogTrained canine for blind
- independenceFreedom from external control
- lightingArt of illuminating spaces
- glare reductionDecreasing blinding brightness
talking watch · meal preparation · navigation · wayfinding · labeling · organization · self-care · shopping
Retinal disease causing central blindness
- glaucomaPressure damages optic nerve
- cataractsSteep falls or eye opacity
- optometristVision care professional
- ophthalmologistEye disease physician
retina · visual acuity · visual field · eye exam · ocular · legal blindness · degenerative · prognosis
Handheld lens for enlargement
- monocularSingle-eye magnifying optic
- telescopeInstrument magnifying faraway objects
- reading glassesCorrective lenses for close-up
- tinted lensesColored optical glass
loupes · prescription lenses · task lighting · reading lamp · anti-glare coating
Degree of visual enlargement
- screen readerProgram converting text to audio
- text-to-speechConverting writing to audio
- large printEnlarged text format
- high contrastStrong tonal difference
assistive technology · zoom · accessible design · font size · voiceover · audio description · closed captioning · contrast settings
white cane
Navigation aid for blindness
- guide dogTrained canine for blind
- independenceFreedom from external control
- lightingArt of illuminating spaces
glare reduction · talking watch · meal preparation · navigation · wayfinding · labeling · organization · self-care · shopping · transportation
macular degeneration
Retinal disease causing central blindness
- glaucomaPressure damages optic nerve
- cataractsSteep falls or eye opacity
- optometristVision care professional
ophthalmologist · retina · visual acuity · visual field · eye exam · ocular · legal blindness · degenerative · prognosis · diagnosis
magnifying glass
Handheld lens for enlargement
- monocularSingle-eye magnifying optic
- telescopeInstrument magnifying faraway objects
- reading glassesCorrective lenses for close-up
tinted lenses · loupes · prescription lenses · task lighting · reading lamp · anti-glare coating
magnification
Degree of visual enlargement
- screen readerProgram converting text to audio
- text-to-speechConverting writing to audio
- large printEnlarged text format
high contrast · assistive technology · zoom · accessible design · font size · voiceover · audio description · closed captioning · contrast settings · readability
- visionsharp, eye, visual perception, sight, eyes
- blindnessblindness, blind spot, total blindness, partial blindness, legal blindness
- eye problemsblindness, cataracts, glaucoma, eye irritation, dry eyes
- vision problemsblindness, visual impairment, sight loss, myopia, hyperopia
- optometryeye exams, eye care, eye doctor, glasses, contact lenses
- blind serviceswhite cane, Louis Braille, guide dog, guide dogs, braille alphabet
low visionnormal vision
Unimpaired sight capacity
perfect vision · 20/20 vision · clear sight · keen eyesight · eagle eyes
low, lower, vision, lowest, visionary, lowered, lowering, lowly, visualize