Imagine playing hide and seek 24/7, but you are always the seeker, and your heart races as you reach out into the void, hoping to touch what you cannot see. Your glasses are constantly fogged up, the world a blur of shifting shadows and indistinct figures. Now, imagine another layer to this challenge with a blank spot at the center of your view, making it impossible to read or recognize the faces/ emotions of people talking to you. Or your vision is like through a keyhole or tunnel allowing you to see only a small part of what’s directly ahead while surroundings remain unpredictable. You strain to hear whispers of movement, relying on your ears more than your eyes.
This is what a person with low vision experiences and it is only a fraction of the daily challenges.
Low vision is not the end. It means adapting, learning, and embracing life differently with the right support. February is Low Vision Awareness Month. Join the movement—change starts with you. Low Vision Awareness Month is not just about understanding, it’s about action. I call upon all stakeholders to take action.
- Are you a person with low vision who hasn’t visited a Vision-Aid resource center/vision rehabilitation center – seek care immediately, explore assistive aids and assistive technology, and engage in rehabilitation and training programs
- Do you have a family member battling low vision – educate yourselves about the condition of low vision, provide emotional support, and apply and advocate for accessible environments.
- Are you a caretaker of the elderly with low vision, take time to visit the nearest low vision care center. It’s time to take care of your elders, it’s their right.
- Are you an eye care practitioner still debating whether to prioritize low-vision care services? It’s long overdue—you may be the only one to guide a person to better care.
- Are you a low vision care practitioner — update yourselves on holistic rehabilitation and think beyond assistive devices/spectacles. Follow up with your client and help in building a road map to vision rehabilitation. Be an Advocate – Talk about low vision, raise awareness and challenge misconceptions.
- Are you a health care provider – help in early detection, build a referral system, educate about available resources, and refer your client
- Are you an educator and schools – implement inclusive learning strategies, provide accessible materials, and support students with visual impairment who have the right to education. Champion Inclusion – Encourage accessible learning and workplaces.
- Are you an employer – be aware of workspace inclusivity, provide reasonable accommodations to recruit and support persons with visual impairment
At Vision-Aid, we are growing, expanding with Vision-Aid resource centers across India, and ensuring that no one with low vision is left behind
Let’s Make Every Month About Awareness and Action: Low Vision Awareness Month is just the beginning. Together, we can build a future where vision rehabilitation is accessible, and no one feels alone in their journey.
Help is always here—for those who seek it.
If you or someone you know needs support, reach out to Vision-Aid. Let’s walk this path together.
Devi Udayakumar
Head of Low vision rehabilitation services
Vision-Aid India
