Lack of awareness is more pronounced among those who may need vision rehabilitation the most the elderly, the least educated, those in poverty and those with severe vision impairments. While Dr. Fox points out low vision problems are more common among the elderly, they also affect younger people. A Lighthouse survey of 1,219 people found vision impairment in 25 percent of respondents older than 75, but also in 17 percent of those ages 45-74. According to the 1998 census, the Texas population age 65 and older was 1,999,751. Lighthouse estimates the number of Texans with vision impairment is 419,948, or more than 20 percent of the population.
Vision impairment is underestimated, underreported and certainly undertreated.
The first step Dr. Fox takes in helping treat a patient with low vision problems is to give him a thorough evaluation. Then we teach him to use what is left more effectively with magnifiers, high-power reading glasses, telescopic devices and new optical aides. Dr. Fox believes there is hope for those plagued with low vision problems. Once his adaptations have improved, his skills improve and so does his quality of life. Typically loss of vision is gradual.