Adaptation to Low Vision Caused by Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Case Study

One in eight Americans aged 65 and older has an eye disease resulting in low vision, and more women than men are visually impaired, mainly because women live longer. Age-related visual impairments are an indicator of a decline in activities of daily living and self-help skills. The top eye conditions that affect older adults are macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in the United States for persons aged 60 and older. It adversely affects the ability of an individual to read standard print and can limit a person's independence in preparing meals, using a telephone, taking care of finances, traveling, shopping, taking medications, and washing laundry. Despite their decreased ability to perform activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, persons with low vision still have the need and desire to perform everyday activities that support their life roles. Given their inability to engage in these activities in the same manner as they once did and their continued desire to do so, persons with low vision usually adapt to the challenges of performing these activities. This study elucidates how a woman with AMD adapted to the challenges that she faced in performing everyday activities.