People with low vision eyesight need hope and reassurance that an independent life is still possible. AgingCare.com brings us10 tips for low vision living.

Many people would consider losing their eyesight one of the worst potential losses that they could encounter. While most of us will not suffer from complete blindness, millions currently suffer from some form of visual impairment, with numbers growing rapidly as we age.

According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), older adults represent the majority of the visually impaired population, with visual impairment included among the 10 most prevalent causes of disability in the U.S.

In a quest to discover methods of managing sight problems, I first contacted Pris Rogers, program manager of VisionAware.org.

VisionAware.org is the website for the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). This website helps people who are new to sight impairment as well as their caregivers. According to Pris, caregivers are often just as confused and overwhelmed, not knowing where to turn or what to suggest.

“Even though many older adults have overcome an array of problems during their lives, when they receive a diagnosis of this loss, they may believe that there is no way that they can cope with this, since it affects almost all of daily life,” Pris remarks. “Often, the doctor has given them a diagnosis but has had nothing to offer in terms of where the individual can turn for help to live with effective eyesight loss.”

“But caregivers and persons with visual impairment need to know that there is indeed hope, and life, after vision loss,” Pris says. “A wide range of services are available that can enable adults who are blind or have low eyesight to continue living independently. The term ‘vision rehabilitation’ includes highly trained professionals and comprehensive services that can restore function after great impairment, just as physical therapy restores function after a stroke or other injury.” Learn More about the 10 Tips For Low Vision Living.