Living with sight loss

Guest PostExperiencing sight loss can be painful, traumatic and sometimes life changing to those who suffer it. Major injuries and illnesses can lead to a complete loss of eyesight. Deep puncture wounds from accidents, serious chemical burns, and major trauma to the eye socket area can result in vision loss. There are also a range of eye conditions which can lead to the loss of eyesight including glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and detached retinas.

For those who have been sighted and lose their vision, the transition can be particularly difficult to deal with. Coming to terms with your blindness and the reality of never being g able to see the things or people you love the most is not an easy task to face.

Blindness also changes a sufferer’s everyday life significantly. Here are some of the ways how loss of sight changes how people interact with others and the world around them.

Braille
Learning a completely new way to read is a challenge for those who lose their sight. However, the increasingly widespread use of Braille means that the blind are able to read books and signs if they choose to learn the writing system.

In recent years more blind people are turning to electronic devices that have screen reading technology to communicate as they are more portable and allow easier interaction between themselves and other people.

Life at home
Daily life around the home is changed by blindness. It is a condition that causes difficulty with almost every aspect of life, especially everyday tasks such as cooking, dressing, shopping and negotiating open spaces. Changes are often made to furniture and the layout of a home to reduce the chance of walking into objects or suffering injuries from falls.

The risk of physical and social isolation is greater for people who are blind or partially sighted as it can be difficult to get out and make friends. Blindness can prove to be expensive for some as the cost of special equipment can be high.

Public Life
Interactions with the rest of society change as a result of being blind or partially sighted. The vast majority of blind people are not able to drive which leaves them reliant on public transport. Depending on where they live, this can be anything from good to inadequate. Crowded public places are difficult to navigate and previously simple tasks like withdrawing money from a cash machine are tricky without voice technology or personal assistance for blind users.

There are several ways in which blind and partially sighted people cope with their condition. Guide dogs are trained to safely lead their owner around the community, keeping them safe when crossing roads and allowing them to keep active. Others use a white cane to guide them as they walk, swinging it to help find objects and move around them.

Some blind people choose to have a volunteer guide them around, especially if they are allergic to dogs. As well as making sure they avoid obstacles and other dangers, the volunteer guide can help conduct tasks such as food shopping, banking and generally assist in day to day life.

Adjusting to blindness can be a very emotional and difficult experience. It is easy to become isolated and to stop doing the things that the person enjoyed before suffering from sight loss. Negative thoughts regarding the disability can take hold, such as the frustration of not being able to see loved ones or from the perceived loss of independence.

Loss of eye sight inevitably leads to major adjustments in an individual’s life. However, with the right help and support, it is more than possible to meet these challenges and adapt to blindness.

Grieves personal injury solicitors deal with serious injury claims including cases of eye damage and loss of sight. If you think you have the grounds to make a loss of sight claim contact Grieves today.