I have been visually impaired my whole life, but in the last few years a cataract has developed in the one eye I have useful vision in. In the last year, it has spread to the point where it is significantly impacting my vision. I have always been extremely nearsighted, but I could see anything really close up. For instance I could see the writing on a coin.
Seeing with a cataract is like looking through a dirty window that you can’t clean. I think the biggest impact has been my ability to see in any dim to dark lighting conditions. Dimly lit restaurants are the worst.
My vision changes have made me rethink how I communicate my needs with others. I have always been able to “fake” my vision by memorizing my surroundings or what I was reading. Many people don’t realize the extent of my vision impairment. That is simultaneously harder and more important now. I can walk around my house without my glasses on because I know where everything is—steps, furniture, etc. Going somewhere new is much more daunting.
Hopefully once I have the procedure, I can get back to where I was before, but better at communication.
A few tips for helping people who are blind or visually impaired…
Give useful navigational directions – “Over here” or “that way”doesn’t provide enough information.
Say who you are when greeting someone who is blind or visually impaired. It may be someone they’ve known for years, but they can’t see facial features.
Ask how you can help. Automatically reading something when you see someone squinting doesn’t may not be what they prefer.
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