Vision Loss

Vision Loss Overview

For military personnel, vision loss can be defined as the absence of vision where it existed before, which can happen either acutely (i.e., abruptly) or chronically (i.e., over a long period of time).

Before the acquisition of alternative adaptations and skills, the effects of visual loss can be devastating, especially when a person’s vision disappears over a short period of time. Vision loss can affect your physical health, quality of life, and your mental health. Vision loss has been linked to loneliness, social isolation, and feelings of worry, anxiety, and fear.

Vision Loss Types

Anyone with non-correctable, reduced vision is visually impaired. The World Health Organization uses the following classifications of visual impairment:

When the vision in the better eye with best possible glasses correction is:
- 20/30 to 20/60 is considered mild vision loss, or near-normal vision
- 20/70 to 20/160 is considered moderate visual impairment, or moderate low vision
Legal blindness:
- 20/200 to 20/400 is considered severe visual impairment, or severe low vision
- 20/500 to 20/1,000 is considered profound visual impairment, or profound low vision
- less than 20/1,000 is considered near-total visual impairment, or near-total blindness
- No Light Perception is considered total visual impairment, or total blindness

There are also levels of visual impairment based on visual field loss (loss of peripheral vision).

Vision Loss Signs and Symptoms

In the United States, any person with vision that cannot be corrected to better than 20/200 in the best eye, or who has 20 degrees (diameter) or less of visual field remaining, is “legally blind” or eligible for disability classification and possible inclusion in certain government-sponsored programs.

Vision Loss Risk Factors

Tips for healthy eyes and a healthy mind

Add movement to your day. Physical activity lowers your risk of developing health problems. It can also boost your mood and reduce stress.
Eat healthy. Nutritious food can improve your mood. It helps lower your risk of type 2 diabetes and diabetic retinopathy—one of the leading causes of vision loss.
Talk with your doctor about your family history. Both mental health disorders and eye diseases can run in families.
Don’t smoke. People with mental health problems have a higher risk of serious health problems, often from smoking-related illness. Smoking also increases your risk of developing an eye disease that can cause vision loss.
Manage your chronic conditions. Long-term health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes may increase your chance of developing a mental health problem. Make sure to take your medicines as prescribed and make recommended lifestyle changes to help manage your health.

Vision Loss Treatment

It is critical that persons suffering vision loss be examined by an optometrist or ophthalmologist specializing in low vision care prior to other rehabilitation training to rule out potential medical or surgical correction for the problem and to establish a careful baseline refraction and prescription of both normal and low-vision glasses and optical aids. Only a qualified physician can evaluate visual functioning of a compromised visual system effectively.

Vision Loss Other Resources and Support

https://www.cdc.gov/vision-health/data-research/vision-loss-facts/

https://www.cdc.gov/vision-health/communication-resources/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/vision-health/faq-vision-health/index.html