This February, we are observing Low Vision Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about visual impairment and the challenges faced by those with low vision. This month serves as an opportunity to educate ourselves and others about the impact of low vision on millions of individuals in the United States and their communities.

Low vision refers to a significant visual impairment that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery. It is a condition where individuals experience difficulty in performing daily activities that require sight, such as reading, driving, recognizing faces, or navigating their surroundings.

Various factors can contribute to low vision, including eye diseases like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, and other genetic or age-related conditions. Additionally, injuries or trauma to the eyes or brain can also result in low vision.

Given that millions of Americans live with low vision, it’s likely some of your employees are affected by low vision too. Living with low vision can present unique challenges. Simple tasks like reading a book, an email, crossing the street, or identifying objects become daunting for individuals with low vision. However, there are numerous assistive technologies and strategies available that help people with low vision lead fulfilling lives. These include magnifiers, screen readers, large print materials, mobility aids like white canes and a comprehensive benefits package that includes vision benefits.

Support from friends, family, and the community plays a crucial role in improving the quality of life for individuals with low vision. Understanding and empathy go a long way in creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

Tips for Supporting Low Vision Awareness:

• Educate Yourself and Your Employees: Learn more about low vision and the challenges individuals face. Awareness is the first step toward creating inclusive workplaces.
• Be Supportive: Offer assistance when needed but always ask first and respect their independence. Small gestures of support can make a significant difference.
• Accessibility Matters: Ensure your workplace is accessible, both physically and digitally. Advocate for accessibility in public spaces, other workplaces, and digital platforms. Ensuring accommodations for people with low vision benefits everyone.
• Spread Awareness: Share information, stories, and resources to educate your employees and others around them.
• Offer Preventative Benefits: Offer your employees access to vision benefits to ensure that they take preventative action yearly, checking on both their eyesight and their general health.

Vision insurance typically encompasses various aspects of vision care, including comprehensive coverage for essential services like eye exams, prescription glasses and contact lenses. A routine vision exam also serves as a vital preventative measure, as it could reveal eye conditions or diseases. In such cases after diagnosis, treatment would then be addressed and covered through a traditional health plan working in tandem with vision insurance. Offering affordable yet comprehensive vision and health plans to your employees is crucial, encouraging them to prioritize their health, facilitating early detection of any health issues and proactively prioritizing their wellbeing.

Low Vision Awareness Month serves as a reminder to embrace diversity and understand the unique perspectives of individuals living with low vision.

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