Welcome to the Principles and Practice of Low Vision Rehabilitation (PPLVR) Learning Community

Background

In North America vision loss (low vision) is strongly associated with aging. Over the age of 80, 1 in 5 have some significant reduction of vision, primarily from age related macular degeneration (AMD).¹ The elderly have a variety of co-morbidities related to the aging process including but not limited to arthritis, or other joint pain, and poor stamina due to heart disease. From the perspective of safety, visually impaired seniors describe a high number of falls^2-4 and a fear of falling.^5-7 Falls amongst the elderly has been identified by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as a major health issue with a national public relations campaign going on right now to educate Americans about falls, the importance of fall prevention, and methods by which to reduce the risk of falls in homes and elsewhere.⁸

The loss of the privilege of driving is perhaps the number one issue of concern to the low vision population. In a world of instant gratification where people can just hop in the car and everything is at their fingertips, the loss of America’s primary mobility tool can be devastating. Many people are unable to drive to work or continue living in an area without public transportation. People who have been independent for a lifetime suddenly must rely on relatives or friends to drive them to where they want to go. Since the driver’s license is such a symbol of independence, the loss can result in psychological and emotional trauma.^1-2 However, with proper instruction, and in some cases the right tools, many people with low vision can remain safely on the road.