What People With Low Vision See

Family members or friends with normal vision have a hard time understanding what someone with low vision can see. Each picture below shows two children playing on a staircase. Each picture looks different depending upon the cause of vision loss simulated.

Normal Vision
  • This picture shows two children playing on a staircase
 Normal Vision
Central Field Loss
  • A hazy or dark hole appears in the center of objects.
  • Causes include macular degeneration and optic atrophy
 Central Field Loss
Multiple field loss
  • Scattered dark patches or holes appear around objects.
  • Causes include diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma,
    retinal detachment and trauma.
 Multiple Field Loss
Tunnel Vision
  • Loss of peripheral vision causes a restricted field of vision.
  • Objects in the center remain visible.
  • Causes include glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa and stroke.
 Tunnel Vision
Contrast loss and glare problems
  • Objects blend in with the background;
    lights are distracting or uncomfortable.
  • Causes include cataracts, glaucoma, corneal disease and albinism.
 Contrast and Glare Problems
Some additional symptoms may include:
  • Blurred vision
  • Objects appear out of focus.
  • Causes include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy,
    cataracts or corneal disease.
 Blurred Vision
Distortion
  • Objects appear crooked, wavy or doubled.
  • Causes include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy
    and retinal detachment.
Distortion

Images and descriptions on this page were generously provided courtesy of:
The Center for the Partially Sighted, 12301 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 600,
Los Angeles, CA 90025 www.low-vision.org


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