Low Vision: The Invisible Disability That Changes Everything

The causes of low vision? They are as numerous as they are complex, and rarely benign. Among them, AMD—age-related macular degeneration—often comes to the forefront, particularly because it massively affects seniors in our Western societies. But it is far from being the only culprit.

 

Along this path, we also encounter disorders that are less well-known to the general public, but just as formidable: glaucomas—sly, almost silent, which eat away at vision without warning—optic neuropathies, pigmentary retinopathies, and certain advanced forms of myopia, known as "degenerative," which are not content with simple distance blurring. Each of these conditions has its own logic, its own way of degrading this fragile link with the visual world. Yet, they all converge toward the same reality: a gradual disappearance, sometimes imperceptible at first, but relentless.

 

For some people, it's the center of the image that fades. For others, it's the periphery. As if we were looking at life through a cardboard tube. And then there are those for whom everything becomes blurry, diffuse, without outline. What's striking is that two visually impaired people can have radically different experiences. Hence this phrase often heard among specialists: there is no single way to see poorly.

 

But ultimately, beyond the clinical aspect, low vision is above all a human experience. And sometimes, a painful one. Loss of vision takes with it much more than the clarity of images: it weakens self-confidence, distances one from one's bearings, and isolates one socially. Many visually impaired people report that they avoid going out alone. Fear of falling, missing a sidewalk, or getting lost. Others stop activities that once brought them joy: sewing, DIY, or simply reading the newspaper with a coffee. And then there is that delicate, almost cruel moment: not recognizing a loved one in the street, not daring to greet them for fear of making a mistake. Added to this are the increased risks of falling, errors in everyday gestures, and a dependency that sets in, sometimes slowly.

 

For a long time, the approach was rather "mechanical": magnifying glasses, colored filters, video magnifiers, specific glasses... Useful devices, certainly, but not without flaws. They are expensive, require a learning curve that is not always easy, and above all, they do not keep up with the pace of modern life. Try going out shopping with a video magnifier under your arm...

 

This is where new technologies bring a breath of fresh air. The smartphone, which we all already have in our pockets, is becoming a veritable Swiss Army knife for the visually impaired. Some apps, like ours, Lumyeye, transform the device into an everyday visual—and vocal—assistant. Just speak, and the phone reads aloud, identifies an object, and describes a scene. The promise is seductive: no need to learn how to use a complicated device; just speak, and it works. It's lightweight, always accessible, and above all, it adapts to dozens of situations.

 

Reading a letter, finding a box of medicine, understanding a poster, but also more mundane things, like checking an expiration date or recognizing a banknote: these small everyday victories are once again possible thanks to technology. And behind each victory, there is a bit of dignity regained, a sense of autonomy taking shape again.

 

Ultimately, understanding low vision means accepting that we're not just talking about vision, but about a way of life. It's not just a problem with the eyes, but a global upheaval. This requires empathy, better training for professionals, and above all, a real commitment to making these new solutions accessible. Tools like Lumyeye don't erase the disability, but they do open windows—and sometimes, that's all it takes to regain a little light.