Huseman Eye Care

Valley West Office

(515) 224-9681

Merle Hay Office

(515) 278-1653

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • Locations
    • Merle Hay Office
    • Valley West Office
  • About Us
    • Meet the Optometrists
    • Meet the Staff
    • Virtual Office Tour
  • Eye Care Services
    • Contact Lens Exams
    • Eye & Vision Exams
      • Pediatric Eye Exams
    • Eye Disease Treatment
    • Lasik Eye Surgery
    • Hard to Fit Contacts
    • Ortho-K
    • Computer Vision
    • Sports Vision
  • Payment Options
  • Order Contact Lenses
  • Request Appointment
  • Blog
  • Community Content
    • Common Eye Conditions
      • Age-Related
      • Eye Lids
      • Cognitive and Acquired
      • Vision Impairment
      • Injury & Irritation
      • Changes in Appearance
    • Contact Lenses
    • Eye Diseases
    • Eyeglasses
      • Eyeglass Lenses
    • Eye Symptoms
    • How the Eyes Work
      • Basic Visual Skills
    • Pediatric Vision
    • Protecting Your Eyes
    • Visual Rehabilitation
    • Vision Problems
    • What is Vision Therapy
    • Vision Therapy Programs
    • We Can Help With
      • Cataracts
      • Corneal Disorders
        • Disorders
      • Glaucoma
      • Refractive Disorders
      • Adult Strabismus
      • Retinal Disorders
    • Newsletters
      • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
      • Medical Perspectives
      • Kid's Vision
      • Conditions That Affect Vision
      • Tips for Healthy Eyes
      • Contacts
      • Glasses & Frames
  • PATIENT REVIEWS
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletters >
  • Causes of Low Vision

Causes of Low Vision

  • Created in Newsletters

Woman struggling with vision

Eye Conditions That Cause Low Vision

Low vision causes permanent changes to your eyesight that can make life a little more challenging. You may have low vision if you can't see well, even when wearing prescription eyeglasses. If the best you can see with your glasses is 20/70 to 20/160, you have moderate low vision, according to a low vision classification used by the World Health Organization. Other categories of low vision include:

  • 20/200 or Higher: Severe low vision
  • 20/500 to 20/1000: Profound low vision
  • Less than 20/1000: Near-total low vision

These eye diseases and conditions can affect your eyesight, causing low vision.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Keeping your glucose (blood sugar) level under control is essential if you have diabetes. When your blood sugar is consistently too high, you may be more likely to develop heart disease, nerve damage, high blood pressure, kidney damage, or vision loss.

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow in your retina. The retina lines the back of your eye and sends electrical impulses to the brain, which then converts them to images. Abnormal blood vessels leak blood or fluid, interfering with vision. Damage to the retina can also occur in some cases.

Glaucoma

Increased pressure inside the eye can damage your optic nerve, the pathway between the eye and the brain, if you have glaucoma. If the optic nerve is damaged, some or all of the electrical impulses sent by the retina won't reach the brain depending on the extent of the damage. As a result, you may develop blind spots or even lose your vision completely.

Pressure changes can happen gradually or suddenly. Gradual changes usually don't cause any symptoms until your vision is permanently damaged.

Fortunately, visiting your optometrist for yearly eye exams can help you avoid vision loss caused by glaucoma. During your exam, your eye doctor will test the pressure inside your eyes and dilate your eyes to view your optic nerve.

Torn or Detached Retina

If your retina tears or separates from the back of the eye, you may notice blind spots in your vision or feel as if a dark curtain has fallen over your eye. Unfortunately, if you don't receive prompt treatment for a tear or detachment, you may experience some degree of permanent vision loss.

Eye injuries and aging are the most common causes of retinal detachments, according to the National Eye Institute. Other causes include eye injuries, certain eye disorders, or previous surgery on the eye.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration, a common age-related eye disorder, affects the central part of your vision. Cells in the macula, the center part of your retina, begin to degenerate, creating blurry or blind spots. These spots make it hard to read, drive, or recognize faces.

If you're diagnosed with macular degeneration, your eye doctor will tell you whether you have the wet or dry form. The dry type occurs when the macula thins and yellow deposits called drusen form under the retina. The wet form happens when abnormal blood vessels grow in the macula and leak. Injected medication or laser therapy may be helpful if you have the wet form of the disorder. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for the dry form yet.

Cataracts

A cataract happens when the normally clear lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. The lens focuses light on your retina and plays an important part in the visual process. When the lens becomes cloudy, you may notice that colors are duller and everything looks a little blurry. Glare and halos around lights may also be a problem.

Most people notice an improvement in their vision after cataract surgery. The surgery involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial lens implant. If you have cataracts and also have other eye diseases, like macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, you may still have some trouble seeing after your surgery.

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Cells in the outer part of the retina begin to degenerate in retinitis pigmentosa (RP). As time goes on, your side vision slowly shrinks, leaving you with only a small amount of central vision. RP also makes it hard to see at night or in low light. The condition is inherited and often causes legal blindness by age 40, according to the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

Are you struggling to live with low vision? Low vision aids can help you make the most of your remaining vision. Your optometrist can help you find the most effective visual aids for your condition. Contact our office to schedule a visit with the eye doctor.

Sources:

National Eye Institute: Retinal Detachment

Foundation Fighting Blindness: What Is Retinitis Pigmentosa?

American Optometric Association: Low Vision and Vision Rehabilitation

American Academy of Ophthalmology: Causes of Low Vision, 6/14/21

National Eye Institute: Low Vision

  • Common Eye Conditions
    • Age-Related
    • Eye Lids
    • Cognitive and Acquired
    • Vision Impairment
    • Injury & Irritation
    • Changes in Appearance
  • Contact Lenses
  • Eye Diseases
  • Eyeglasses
    • Eyeglass Lenses
  • Eye Symptoms
  • How the Eyes Work
    • Basic Visual Skills
  • Pediatric Vision
  • Protecting Your Eyes
  • Visual Rehabilitation
  • Vision Problems
  • What is Vision Therapy
  • Vision Therapy Programs
  • We Can Help With
    • Cataracts
    • Corneal Disorders
      • Disorders
    • Glaucoma
    • Refractive Disorders
    • Adult Strabismus
    • Retinal Disorders
  • Newsletters
    • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
    • Medical Perspectives
    • Kid's Vision
    • Conditions That Affect Vision
    • Tips for Healthy Eyes
    • Contacts
    • Glasses & Frames

Contact Us

We look forward to hearing from you.

Featured Links

Click to find out more

  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients/ learn more about all the services we provide.
    Learn More
  • Make An Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment today!
    Schedule Now
  • Online Forms

    Our patient forms are available online so they can be completed in the convenience of your own home or office.
    View Forms

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Merle Hay Office: 515-278-1653

Monday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Sunday:

CLOSED

Valley West Office: 515-224-9681

Monday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Sunday:

CLOSED

Valley West Office : 515.224.9681

Our offices are conveniently located in the Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines and the Valley West Mall in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Testimonials

Reviews From Our Satisfied Patients

    I decided to get my eyes checked on a whim while I was at the mall and they were able to fit me in. The tech who worked with me worked quickly yet carefully. Dr. Brown was very kind, professional, and knowledgeable.

    Rachel S.

    Super friendly, helpful and efficient staff and Dr. Brown is always great to work with. I am very happy with the care and services at this office.

    Beth R.

    Had an exam yesterday, everyone was very nice. I also had my rowdy 3-year old and they were so patient as he was very curious to what was going on, they had crayons and paper for him. Dr. Katie was who I saw and she explained everything so well I had no problem understanding what she was telling me. I was impressed with how quickly I was able to see her since this was my first visit and check in went quickly. I would definitely recommend this company to anyone looking for a comfortable atmospher

    Ashley B.

    I was able to schedule a same day appointment which was very convenient. The technician was very helpful and explained all the tests that were performed. Dr. Brown was fast, efficient, and very through with my eye exam. I will continue to trust Huseman for my eye health.

    Marqui B.

    It is always a pleasant experience working with Dr. Soults and Dr. Brown at the Valley West clinic.

    Shane O.

Featured Articles

Read up on informative topics

  • Vision Loss and Mental Health

    Feeling depressed after vision loss? ...

    Read More
  • Treatment Options for Presbyopia

    Over 40 and finding it hard to see close-up? One of these presbyopia treatment options could improve your vision. ...

    Read More
  • Summertime Allergies and Your Eyes

    Do you know how to treat your summertime eye allergy symptoms? ...

    Read More
  • Signs You May Have Macular Degeneration

    Could changes in your central vision be caused by macular degeneration? ...

    Read More
  • Glaucoma and You: The Importance of Eye Exams

    Want to avoid vision loss due to glaucoma? Schedule a visit with the eye doctor. ...

    Read More
  • Important Healthy Eye Habits for Kids

    Want to keep your kids' eyes as healthy as possible? Try these tips. ...

    Read More
  • Healthy Vision Month

    Get ready for Healthy Vision Month by upgrading your vision habits. ...

    Read More
  • Presbyopia eye drops

    Would you like to stop squinting when you look at close objects? A new kind of eyedrops can improve presbyopia, an age-related vision problem. ...

    Read More
  • Dry Eye

    Sometimes your eyes don’t make enough tears or the tears evaporate too fast because they don’t have the right amount of compounds in them. This is called dry eye. Up to 5% of Americans complain of some form of dry eye. Individuals who wear contact lenses or have undergone LASIK or other types of ...

    Read More
  • Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

    Similar to a bruise under the skin, a subconjunctival hemorrhage happens when a small blood vessel located between the sclera (white portion of an eye) and the conjunctiva (lining on the surface of an eye) breaks and covers the sclera with blood. Unlike broken blood vessels located under the skin which ...

    Read More

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for more articles

Social Media

  • Copyright © 2022 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map