Coping with loss of vision in one eye Jayne Kempster, David Kinshuck |
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Time to adjust |
| Adjusting to the loss of some vision in one eye takes time and practice: the advice below may help a little. Some tasks, like pouring tea, or sewing, do become a challenge. But after a while you will be able to cope better and better. |
Myths about the use of one good eye |
Using your one good eye will not damage it in any way. Sitting close to the TV, reading, or using your eye for hobbies will not harm it. In particular, it does no harm to sit close to the television, sit as close as is necessary to see best. The same applies when using a computer screen. Having only one good eye does not strain the good eye at all. But when you read, you may only be able to read for perhaps 15 minutes before developing tired achy eyes, or headache. You then need to rest, and then start again later, over and over again if need be. Many patients attending the eye clinic can only read for 15-30 minutes at time. Reading is naturally easier with large print books, or using large text size on your computer. |
Will new glasses help if you have one healthy eye? |
For distance vision, an optometrist (optician) cannot fundamentally improve your sight Sometimes spectacles may improve your distant sight. For close work, an optician will aim to provide spectacles that focus at the distance for your particular requirements. Generally the closer you hold a book to your eyes the larger the print appears, and an optician can provide glasses that focus books etc closer to your eyes. However, it is always best to try your old spectacles first: it will do no harm to use your old spectacles. But remember, spectacles only focus at one distance. Musicians or painters for instance may need a second pair of spectacles that focus at a distance slightly further away |
Some tips for reading more easily |
If you follow this advice, and reading is still difficult, you need to see an optician familiar with patients with poor vision, or attend the Low Vision Clinic. It may take some time to learn new reading techniques, and the difficulties increase as you get older. |
Advice from an optometrist expert in low vision |
You really need individual advice from the optician in the eye clinic, or any another low vision expert. The options include: These are not ideal for reading for long periods as they are tiring to use. There are magnifying glasses specially for sewing, or reading very small print for example. Some patients may find electronic aids like special TV cameras and computers helpful. Computers can even 'read' books aloud, and input what you say. A large screen may help. Talking books are available: there is a service specially for people with poor sight: Low Vision Clinic. |
What can an optician do if your remaining eye is not perfect either? |
Driving |
In the UK you are legally allowed to drive a car with only one good eye. If you have lost the vision suddenly it takes time to adjust, and three months is the accepted period. Notify the Driving Authority (the DVLA in the UK). You will need to move your head more to compensate for the loss of vision on one side. |
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Looking after the other eye |
This depends on the cause of the problem in the bad eye. If you have had problems identified in the clinic, such as high blood pressure, these need to be treated by your General Practitioner. Generally the UK Department of Health recommend
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Useful addresses |
If the central part of your sight is damaged, the Macular Disease Society may help: http://www.maculardisease.org |
The Macular Disease Society |
| The address of this site ('org' changing to 'nhs') is changing from http://www.goodhope.org.uk/departments/eyedept/ to http://www.goodhope.nhs.uk/departments/eyedept/ |
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