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Low Vision? Look into it on
World Sight Day
October 12 is World Sight
Day – a global day coordinated by Vision 2020 to promote the treatment and
prevention of blindness and vision loss.
This year, Vision 2020
Australia has adopted the theme of “Low Vision” and is encouraging Australians
to find out more about low vision services and rehabilitation.
As part of the World Sight
Day campaign, the Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital has prepared some useful
information on low vision.
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What is low vision?
A
person is said to have low vision when their eyesight is limited or impaired and
cannot be corrected with surgical and medical treatments, conventional glasses
or contact lenses.
What causes low vision?
Low vision
affects people of all ages. It can be caused by eye injury or a range of eye
conditions, including macular degeneration and glaucoma.
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Hospital orthoptist Julie Taylor shows
Christine Tsopanis the new low vision displays at the Eye & Ear |
How
does low vision affect eyesight?
The effects of
low vision are not the same for all people, but having low vision can impair a
person’s ability to recognise faces, street signs, read newspapers and books,
prepare meals and dial the telephone.
What are low vision
services?
Low vision
services exist to ensure that people who have low vision or are blind can lead
full and active lives. They promote independence and are available throughout
Australia.
Where can I access low
vision services in Victoria?
Vision Australia,
Guide Dogs Victoria and the Victorian College of Optometry offer low vision
services.
What are low vision aids?
Low vision aids
are devices that enable a person to make the most of the vision they have. They
vary from magnifiers, to assist with reading, to large button phones that make
dialling easier.
How is the Eye & Ear
Hospital helping low vision patients?
The Hospital has
recently installed large poster displays in its eye clinics to help raise
awareness of how low vision aids can help patients with everyday tasks. The Eye
& Ear has also partnered with Guide Dogs Victoria to form the Centre for Vision
Independence, an independent advisory service that enables low vision patients
to better manage their vision loss.
How can I find out more
about low vision?
From October 12,
you can learn more about low vision by visiting Vision 2020 Australia’s website
at www.vision2020australia.org.au or by phoning 1300 10 2020.
Vision 2020 Australia is a
joint initiative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International
Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. Its vision is to eliminate avoidable
blindness and vision loss by the year 2020.
The Eye & Ear Hospital is a
proud member of Vision 2020 Australia.
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