How to Identify Your Learning Style & Adapt to Vision Loss

Do you know your preferred learning style? Have you ever considered how your vision loss or impairment will impact it as it progresses? 

What is a learning style?

A learning style is an individual’s best approach to learning. It considers strengths, weaknesses, preferences, and disabilities. This learning philosophy is called metacognition.

It helps you understand your needs and allows you to learn and retain information. Most people tend to have a dominant learning style but will revert to other learning styles, based on situational events or the type of content they are trying to learn. 

Information typically enters your brain in three main ways: sight, hearing, and touch. So, learning styles are broken down into three major categories:

Visual – processing with your eyes

Characteristics of visual learners include:

Auditory – processing with your ears

Characteristics of auditory learners include:

Kinesthetic – processing information in multiple ways

Characteristics of kinesthetic learners include:

Understanding your learning style is important in addressing new challenges as you navigate your new visually impaired journey and changes. Your brain is still wired for your learning needs even if you no longer have the vision to see what is on the page or screen.

Continuing your learning style with vision loss

A rehabilitation trainer will help you continue using your dominant learning style. This training will include implementing environmental modifications to allow a visual learner to access information.

Visual learning

Visual learners who are visually impaired will need to adjust lighting for glare sensitivity to read print on paper and screens. People with significant vision loss will rely more on verbal descriptions to describe body movements or physical cues.

Other learning adaptations include the intake of written content. A visual learner may now have to absorb information auditorily through audiobooks or kinesthetically by learning to read braille.

Additionally, visual learners will need to navigate differently. Previously, they may have relied visually on maps to navigate city streets. When the ability to see maps is compromised, new strategies must be acquired. 

These may be using a GPS program on their mobile device to access auditory route information, relying on bus drivers, or learning to identify landmarks based on auditory and tactual information. 

Deafblind learning 

Addressing learning style needs becomes increasingly more challenging for individuals who lose visual and auditory learning modes, resulting in only kinesthetic information inputs. These learning styles may have been dominant and secondary before the dual sensory loss. These individuals use tactile learning strategies for daily communication and other items.

The strategies used by the deafblind are vastly different than those used for individuals who are visually impaired.

Trained deafblind specialists are needed to help people become comfortable with these strategies. Outlook Enrichment has a deafblind specialist on our team who can assist you.

Your learning style is an important aspect of any rehabilitation evaluation. Outlook Enrichment can help you understand your learning needs and develop an action plan for success. Contact us today to get started.

Unveiling the Mystery: Why Women Experience Higher Rates of Visual Impairment

Did you know that women are at higher risk for eye disease and vision impairment? Eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration are diagnosed more often in women than in men. The World Health Organization reports that nearly two-thirds of all visually impaired and blind people in the world are women. In an effort to educate women on the risks and know the facts about healthy eyecare, Prevent Blindness America launched Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month in April. Since several eye diseases are treatable in preventing blindness and almost all eye injuries can also be prevented, let’s learn about some of the risks and healthy habits.

The Risk Factors 

Women typically live longer than men, which increases their risk of developing a vision impairment. Eye diseases such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma are specific to aging.

According to the National Eye Institute, women have greater instances of eye disorders because they tend to live longer, are more likely to undergo certain cancer treatments that may affect vision, and experience normal age-related hormonal changes that may affect their eyes. These changes are menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Additionally, eye conditions such as chronic dry eye syndrome are more prevalent in women, and hormonal changes can cause them. The American Academy of Ophthalmology explains women are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases than men, many of which affect vision, such as lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, and hyperthyroidism.

Women are typically family caregivers and can neglect their health while caring for others. Raising children, managing a household, and working is a full load for many women, so squeezing in a trip to the eye doctor for a checkup can be trying at best. Getting access to affordable healthcare can sometimes be more difficult for women than men. Women typically make less income than men, so having the financial resources to pay for proper health care can be a major factor. These overall social and economic situations can impact women more than men, leading to a higher risk of eye disease and vision impairment.

Developing Healthy Eye Care Habits 

Now that you know many reasons women are more prone to vision impairments than men, let’s look at some things women can do to care for their eyes.

 1.  Get a comprehensive eye exam from your eye doctor. An eye exam can not only determine the health of your eyes but can quickly track any changes, especially if you have a family history of eye disease.

2.  Watch your weight and your diet. Being overweight or obese and not eating healthy foods like dark green veggies and fish can affect vision. Weight gain and/or poor diet can cause medical conditions such as diabetes, strokes, and high blood pressure.

3.  Monitor eye makeup usage. Replace old makeup every three months or so. Do not share cosmetics with other women, as bacteria and germs can be easily spread.

4.  Wear sunglasses when outside. Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays and air-borne pollutants that can blow into your eyes, such as dust and pollen.

5. Don’t smoke or stop smoking.

6. Be sure your hands are clean before touching your eyes. 

7.  Learn proper eye safety and first aid for home, work, and recreational environments. Wear protective eye gear such as goggles when using chemicals, tools, and machinery. It is important to protect the eyes from burns, cuts, and foreign objects that can damage the corneas and other parts of the eye.

8. Use and wear contact lenses safely 

Learning about these risk factors and healthy habits can empower women to take control of their eye health. Additionally, men can provide support and encouragement. Understanding that the rates of vision loss are higher in women than men can help motivate everyone to take constructive action, have a meaningful conversation, and move forward to better health.

If you or a loved one is living with or learning about vision loss, contact us to learn about our adaptive tech programs, or check out our resources to learn more about living with a vision impairment.

February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among Americans who are 60 and older. The Age-Related Macular Degeneration Foundation says it affects more than 20 million Americans, more than cataracts and glaucoma combined. February is AMD Awareness Month, which allows the public to learn more about this disease. Education and early detection are critical first steps to treating this progressive, incurable eye condition.

What is age-related macular degeneration?

AMD is an eye disease that can blur sharp, central vision. It slowly steals vision, affecting the retina, a paper-thin tissue lining the back of the eye, and causing the cells in the area to die.

As a result, you see blind spots, grayness, and other distortions in the center frame of your vision. It doesn’t cause complete blindness, but losing your central vision can make it harder to see faces, drive, or do close-up work like cooking.

 Even if you have early AMD, you may not experience vision loss for long. AMD progresses faster in others, leading to central vision loss in one or both eyes. 

There are two types of AMD–dry and wet.

Dry AMD, the most common form, affects about eight out of 10 people diagnosed. Dry AMD is a thin part of the macula that grows tiny clumps of protein called drusen. You slowly lose central vision, and it is not yet treatable. Wet AMD often causes rapid and severe vision loss. New, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. These vessels may leak blood or other fluids, causing scarring of the macula. People don’t realize they have it until vision is blurry, so routine visits with an ophthalmologist are essential. Early signs of AMD can be detected before problems arise.

What are the stages of AMD?

There are three stages of AMD. Most people do not experience vision loss in the early stages, which is diagnosed by the presence of medium-sized drusen. Some vision loss may be present in the intermediate stage, but there may not be noticeable symptoms. A comprehensive eye exam with specific tests will look for larger drusen and pigment changes in the retina. The last stage is when vision loss has become noticeable.

Who is at risk?

Your risk for AMD increases as you get older. People over the age of 60 are more likely to have AMD. The risk is higher for people who have a family history of AMD, are Caucasian, and smoke. You should get regular eye exams if you are at risk because of these factors. Early AMD has no symptoms, so don’t wait for your vision to change. 

How can you lower your risk?

Research shows that making these healthy choices may lower your risk of AMD or slow its progression. Quit smoking, or don’t start. Get regular physical activity, maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and eat nutritious foods, including leafy greens, vegetables, and fish.

What are the age-related symptoms of macular degeneration?

As AMD progresses, many people see a blurry area near the center of their vision. Over time, this blurry area may get bigger, or blank spots might appear. Things may also seem dimmer than before. Some people may notice that straight lines start to look wavy. This can be a warning sign for late AMD. If you notice these age-related macular degeneration symptoms, immediately see your eye doctor.

How can AMD be treated?

Early AMD cannot be treated, so your eye doctor will monitor your eyes with regular eye exams. If you are diagnosed with intermediate or late AMD, ask your eye doctor about treatment options and how the condition may affect your vision in the future. 

How does a person with AMD and vision loss live?

Living with vision loss from AMD can be challenging, but it is not impossible. Low vision means that even with glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery, your vision loss makes it hard to do everyday tasks. 

The good news is some things can improve the quality of life. Low vision devices such as hand-held magnifiers and using adaptive technology from rehabilitation training at Outlook can support independence. For assistance, contact us today.

Schedule Your Eye Exam During Low Vision Awareness Month

Vision changes without warning, even in a healthy eye. The vision community observes Low Vision Awareness Month in February, and we want to take this opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of routine eye exams from a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist.

According to the National Eye Institute, glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery cannot fix low vision. Low vision mainly affects people 65 and older but can affect anyone. Learning about low vision awareness is important because it cannot be reversed but managed.

Low vision occurs more readily as the eye ages. Many common eye conditions cause it, including:

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) affects the retina, the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye, where images are focused. The macula, the area on the retina responsible for sharp central vision, deteriorates, causing blurred vision. This can cause difficulty reading and, for some, a blurry or blind spot in the central area of vision. In the non-exudative “dry” form of AMD–the most common form–vision loss usually progresses slowly. The exudative “wet” form causes rapid and severe vision loss. Abnormal blood vessels develop under the macula and leak fluid and blood. Both exudative and non-exudative forms of macular degeneration are age-related. They are the leading cause of blindness for people over 50.

Cataracts

A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in a clear eye lens. A cataract’s size and location determine the effect on vision. Most cataracts develop in people over 55 but occasionally occur in infants and young children. The lens is inside the eye behind the iris, the colored part of the eye. Normally, the lens focuses light on the retina, which sends the image through the optic nerve to the brain. However, if a cataract clouds the lens, light is scattered, so the lens can no longer focus properly, causing vision problems. Surgery can remove cataracts and restore vision in a healthy eye, but people with other eye conditions will still have impaired vision.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetics can experience daily changes in their vision and visual functioning because of the disease. Diabetes can cause blood vessels that nourish the retina to develop tiny, abnormal branches that leak. This interferes with vision and may severely damage the retina. Laser procedures and surgical treatments can reduce its progression, but regulating blood sugar is the most important step in treating diabetic retinopathy.

A person with low vision will experience sight loss in many ways. Glare impairs vision for someone with diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa often causes night blindness. Partial sight can also present as blurred vision or hazy vision, which appears as a film or glare across the field of vision.

Pay attention to your loved ones. If you notice a family member or friend cannot see clearly in bright areas, has difficulty identifying colors of objects, or struggles to read regular print, help them find an eye doctor as soon as possible. The Vision Council, a global resource for vision care products and services, states that up to 80 percent of cases dealing with visual impairment are considered preventable. An eye care provider can diagnose and treat many eye conditions early in the disease progression through annual comprehensive eye exams. In many cases, timely care can delay or prevent vision loss.

A vision condition diagnosis often requires regular visits with your ophthalmologist or optometrist. This specialist will set up a rehabilitation plan to maximize remaining eyesight when all measures medically and surgically are reached. The Weigel Williamson Center for Visual Rehabilitation helps people experiencing vision loss use their remaining vision.

Magnifiers, smartphones, and other technology with a vision condition continue doing the things they love. Find out more through our adaptive technology training program.

Take care of your eyes, proactively help a loved one find resources to manage a vision condition when needed, and learn the importance of low vision awareness.

Understanding the Silent Threat of Glaucoma

Today, glaucoma affects more than 3 million people in the U.S. The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58 percent increase. Glaucoma is called the sneaky thief of sight because it has no symptoms and progresses slowly. By the time a person learns about their glaucoma diagnosis, 40 percent of their vision is permanently lost. January has been designated Glaucoma Awareness Month to educate the general public, people who are at high risk, and medical professionals about this sneaky eye disease.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises, leading to vision impairment or blindness. The anterior chamber is a clear fluid that flows in and out of small spaces at the front of the eye. This fluid bathes and nourishes nearby tissues. If this fluid drains too slowly, pressure builds up and damages the optic nerve.

Who is at risk?

People who are over age 60, have internal eye pressure above normal and have hyperopia (farsightedness) tend to be at higher risk. Additionally, people of African or Caribbean descent, Latinos, and Asians have an increased chance of developing glaucoma and of developing it sooner in life. Family history also plays a critical role in developing glaucoma, such as having a sibling or parent with the disease. Other risk factors include eye injuries, such as blunt trauma and sports injuries, or a history of multiple eye surgeries for chronic eye conditions.

What are the types of glaucoma?

Several types exist, but open-angle glaucoma is the most common type in the U.S. Nine out of 10 people are diagnosed with this type. Other types are less common, like angle-closure glaucoma, neovascular glaucoma, and congenital glaucoma.

What are the signs?

At first, there are no symptoms; vision is normal, and there is no pain. Over time, peripheral vision gradually fails. That means objects in front can be seen but objects on the side cannot. As the disease progresses, the field of vision narrows, and blindness and vision impairment result.

What can be done?

Get an eye exam every year to fight glaucoma. Be sure that it is comprehensive and that your eyes are dilated. During the exam, the doctor performs an eye pressure check to see if you have glaucoma.

How can glaucoma be treated?

Glaucoma cannot be cured currently, but it can be treated and controlled with regular medication and/or surgery. Medication usually comes in the form of eye drops that reduce pressure by slowing the flow of fluid in the eye so that it does not build up. Sometimes, laser surgery is offered, where laser beams are focused on specific parts of the eye to reduce pressure and allow fluid to exit the eye.

How does glaucoma impact reading and life?

Since glaucoma impacts the field of view and it is like looking through fog glasses, the ability to read can be greatly affected. Over time, reading can become slower and more difficult or even stop altogether. This can impact quality of life and overall independence. Make reading easier by increasing your computer or smartphone text size, using spotlighting when reading print, and considering reading on a tablet or other device that enables reverse polarity (white letters on a black background instead of black letters on a white background). A person with a vision impairment from glaucoma can learn to modify other daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, using adaptive technology, and even using a white cane for travel. Contact us today for assistance with these suggestions and other ways to stay independent.