Are there any aids to improve vision? Yes, there are. I’ll try to mention some that I remember, have seen, or tried, just as information that might be useful to anyone in need.

After cataract surgery, bifocal lenses were prescribed. Once you get used to them, they are not difficult to manage. Nowadays, even bifocal contact lenses are available. Progressive lenses were introduced quite some years back, but I never found them useful for my condition.

The first aid that helped me when my vision was deteriorating due to glaucoma—well before the retinal detachment and blindness—was 10X magnification lenses. I found them really useful. Suddenly, I could read books with normal print and read labels, but remember, my eyesight was comparatively better then. These glasses are available up to 24X magnification, but the higher the magnification, the closer you have to look at the object.

Telescopic lenses, though they look awkward when worn, can be useful for certain people to see faces more clearly or read at a distance. There are various kinds of handheld magnifiers with limited use. Smart Vision glasses, working with software in smartphones, can read any material placed in front of them, describe objects in a room, warn of obstacles ahead, identify people, or even describe new faces, and alert you to impediments while walking. I believe these are very helpful for blind students in learning, education, and qualification. Then there are the time-tested sensor canes that help you navigate, which are still widely used and very helpful.

I’ve also heard of glasses that act like video magnifiers and can be programmed so that images fall on the healthier parts of the retina, improving vision clarity.

Many new innovations will surely come in the future, but it is up to each visually impaired person to try and figure out what works best for them.

One thing I’ve realized is that some part of the retina must remain unaffected for these aids to work successfully. In my case, unfortunately, after Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma, most of my retina is weak and affected, so these aids do not work optimally.

Cataract is something that can be easily diagnosed; even the patient will notice their vision is affected. But beware of glaucoma—it’s a silent thief. It starts by affecting peripheral vision, which may go unnoticed because the central retina remains functional for a while. It slowly creeps inward, and as long as the central part of the retina (the macular area) is good, the damage may not be felt until one day, a sudden shock occurs. For those with a family history of glaucoma or those above a certain age, it is advisable to have regular eye check-ups specifically for glaucoma. Currently, no medication can reverse this damage, hence the caution.

Similarly, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) can be reversible if diagnosed and treated within one month of onset. It’s best to be vigilant about any sudden blurred or affected vision. This condition impacts the central part of the retina, and the damage can be severe.

I hope this rather technical piece was of some use to someone, at least.

Continued in 104. Tender Types