Over 50 million adults in the United States are living with some degree of vision loss, defined as at least “a little trouble seeing,” even with glasses or contact lenses. Low vision can be caused by a number of factors — everything from eye injuries and birth defects to eye-related health conditions such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
Whether you’ve been living with lifelong low vision or adjusting to vision loss, the reality is that it can make everyday tasks like reading, driving, or cooking more difficult. These organizations offer resources and support to help you live your day-to-day life and maintain as much independence as possible.
1. National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
Since 1940, the NFB has advocated for equal access to education, employment, and technology on behalf of people affected by blindness and low vision.
When it comes to practical support, the NFB helps people with vision impairment maintain mobility through the Free White Cane Program. It also offers the Free Slate and Stylus Program, which helps people with low vision take notes at school or work and keep them on hand.
If you’re local to the NFB headquarters in Baltimore, you can also take advantage of these resources:
Jacobus tenBroek Library, which offers access to extensive resources for people dealing with low vision or blindness
Independence Market, which sells various assistive devices approved for people with low vision, such as magnifiers, talking clocks, and kitchen gadgets. If you’re not local to Baltimore, you can still request a catalog to shop from by emailing independencemarket@nfb.org.
Founded in 1979, the AAO is the world’s largest association of eye specialists, with a community of over 32,000 health professionals. Its goal is to help people protect their eyesight by promoting research and education to advance the profession of ophthalmology.
You can search their directory to learn about more low-vision resources and programs, such as vision rehabilitation services, that are available near you.
5. Prevent Blindness
Prevent Blindness was founded in 1908 to help promote eye health and safety as well as fight blindness and save vision.
This free, nationwide resource helps people who can’t get around on their own — including those with low vision — locate safe, reliable transportation options in their community. Check out the Rides in Sight database to find what types of services are available, and use the search tool to find transportation near you. You can also call (855) 607-4337 for more information.
He earned his medical degree from Dartmouth. He completed an ophthalmology residency at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, where he was chief resident, followed by a fellowship in uveitis and ocular inflammatory disease at the Francis I. Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology at the University of California in San Francisco.
Dr. Tsui is committed to advancing the field of ophthalmology. His research focuses on utilizing state-of-the-art ophthalmic imaging technology to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of uveitis. He is a co-investigator in several multicenter clinical trials investigating therapeutics for uveitis. He is the author of over 80 peer-reviewed publications and has given talks at national and international conferences.
Along with his clinical and research responsibilities, Tsui teaches medical students and residents. He is on the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology's professional development and education committee, as well as the advocacy and outreach committee, which seeks to increase funding and awareness of vision research. He also serves on the editorial board of Ophthalmology and the executive committee of the American Uveitis Society.
Kerry Weiss is a New York–based freelance writer, editor, and content strategist specializing in health and wellness. She has contributed to a variety of online publications, including Healthline, WebMD, Sharecare, Twill Care, and What to Expect.
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
Facts and Figures on Adults With Vision Loss From the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). American Foundation for the Blind. February 2024.
