Subspecialties

  • Cataract/Anterior Segment
  • Comprehensive Ophthalmology
  • Cornea/External Disease
  • Glaucoma
  • Neuro-Ophthalmology/Orbit
  • Pediatric Ophthalmology/Strabismus

 

  • Ocular Pathology/Oncology
  • Oculoplastics/Orbit
  • Refractive Management/Intervention
  • Retina/Vitreous
  • Uveitis

Focus On

  • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
  • Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Center
  • Laser Surgery Education Center
  • Redmond Ethics Center
  • Global Ophthalmology Guide

Academy Publications

  • EyeNet
  • Ophthalmology
  • Ophthalmology Glaucoma
  • Ophthalmology Retina

Information for:

  • International Ophthalmologists
  • Media
  • Medical Students
  • Patients and Public
  • Technicians and Nurses
  • Senior Ophthalmologists
  • Young Ophthalmologists

Tools and Services

  • EyeCare America
  • Help
  • IRIS Registry
  • Medicare Physician Payment
  • Meetings and Deadlines
  • Museum of Vision
  • Ophthalmology Job Center

Our Sites

  • EyeWiki
  • International Society of Refractive Surgery

Subspecialties

  • Cataract/Anterior Segment
  • Comprehensive Ophthalmology
  • Cornea/External Disease
  • Glaucoma
  • Neuro-Ophthalmology/Orbit
  • Pediatric Ophthalmology/Strabismus
  • Ocular Pathology/Oncology
  • Oculoplastics/Orbit
  • Refractive Management/Intervention
  • Retina/Vitreous
  • Uveitis

Focus On

  • Glaucoma Education Center
  • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
  • Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Center
  • Laser Surgery Education Center
  • Redmond Ethics Center
  • Global Ophthalmology Guide

Find an Ophthalmologist

Advanced Search
  • Annual Meeting
  • Clinical Education
  • Practice Management
  • Member Services
  • Advocacy
  • Foundation
  • About
  • Subspecialties & More
  • Eye Health
  • Home
  • Annual Meeting
  • Clinical Education
  • Practice Management
  • Member Services
  • Advocacy
  • Foundation
  • About
  • Subspecialties & More

    Academy Publications

    • EyeNet
    • Ophthalmology
    • Ophthalmology Glaucoma
    • Ophthalmology Retina

    Information for:

    • International Ophthalmologists
    • Media
    • Medical Students
    • Patients and Public
    • Technicians and Nurses
    • Senior Ophthalmologists
    • Young Ophthalmologists

    Tools and Services

    • EyeCare America
    • Help
    • IRIS Registry
    • Medicare Physician Payment
    • Meetings and Deadlines
    • Museum of Vision
    • Ophthalmology Job Center

    Our Sites

    • EyeWiki
    • International Society of Refractive Surgery

    Subspecialties

    • Cataract/Anterior Segment
    • Comprehensive Ophthalmology
    • Cornea/External Disease
    • Glaucoma
    • Neuro-Ophthalmology/Orbit
    • Pediatric Ophthalmology/Strabismus
    • Ocular Pathology/Oncology
    • Oculoplastics/Orbit
    • Refractive Management/Intervention
    • Retina/Vitreous
    • Uveitis

    Focus On

    • Glaucoma Education Center
    • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
    • Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Center
    • Laser Surgery Education Center
    • Redmond Ethics Center
    • Global Ophthalmology Guide

    Find an Ophthalmologist

    Advanced Search

    Subspecialties

    • Cataract/Anterior Segment
    • Comprehensive Ophthalmology
    • Cornea/External Disease
    • Glaucoma
    • Neuro-Ophthalmology/Orbit
    • Pediatric Ophthalmology/Strabismus

     

    • Ocular Pathology/Oncology
    • Oculoplastics/Orbit
    • Refractive Management/Intervention
    • Retina/Vitreous
    • Uveitis

    Focus On

    • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
    • Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Center
    • Laser Surgery Education Center
    • Redmond Ethics Center
    • Global Ophthalmology Guide
  • Eye Health
Find an Ophthalmologist
Academy Store
  • Eye Health A-Z
  • Symptoms
  • Glasses & Contacts
  • Tips & Prevention
  • News
  • Ask an Ophthalmologist
  • Patient Stories
  • Español
    • Eye Health /
    • Eye Health A-Z
  • Low Vision

    Sections
    • What Is Low Vision?
    • Causes of Low Vision
    • Low Vision Symptoms
    • Low Vision Diagnosis and Treatment
    • Low Vision Rehabilitation and Low Vision Aids
    • Low Vision Resources
  • Photograph of active older couple

    Causes of Low Vision

    Leer en Español:
    Causas de baja visión
    Written By: David Turbert
    Reviewed By: G Atma Vemulakonda, MD
    Aug. 22, 2018

    Certain eye diseases can cause low vision. These include:

    • Macular degeneration
    • Glaucoma
    • Diabetic retinopathy
    • Retinitis pigmentosa

    These conditions can occur at any age but are more common in older people. However, normal aging of the eye does not lead to low vision.

    Eye injuries can also cause low vision.

    Low vision may also result from eye cancer, albinism or a brain injury. If you have these disorders or are at risk for them, you are also at greater risk for low vision.

     

    Previous

    What Is Low Vision?

    Next

    Low Vision Symptoms

  • Related Ask an Ophthalmologist Answers

    Do magnifiers for low vision make your eyes lazy?
    Sep 11, 2018
    Who should my mother see for her visual hallucinations?
    Jan 09, 2018
    As I am not a candidate for mini-telescope, is there any other emerging treatment or device that can help my late-stage AMD?
    Nov 18, 2016
    Treatment for Loss of Depth Perception
    Sep 28, 2015
    Why is my elderly friend hallucinating?
    Aug 30, 2015
  • Find an Ophthalmologist
    Advanced Search
  • Ask an Ophthalmologist
    Browse Answers
  • Free Newsletter

    Get ophthalmologist-reviewed tips and information about eye health and preserving your vision.

    Privacy Policy
  • EyeCare America - no-cost medical eye exams for qualifying seniors

  • Related

    What is Ocular Melanoma?
    Feb 07, 2019
    What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
    Dec 04, 2018
    Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) Vision Simulator
    Sep 11, 2018
    What Are Floaters and Flashes?
    Aug 22, 2018
    What Is Ptosis?
    Aug 22, 2018
 
  • Contact Us
  • About the Academy
  • Jobs at the Academy
  • Financial Relationships with Industry
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • For Advertisers
  • For Media
  • Ophthalmology Job Center

OUR SITES

  • EyeWiki
  • International Society of Refractive Surgery

FOLLOW THE ACADEMY

Medical Professionals

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Public & Patients

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
© American Academy of Ophthalmology 2019
* Required
* First Name:
* Last Name:
Member ID:
* Phone Number:
* Email:
* Enter code:
* Message:
 

Thank you

Your feedback has been sent.