Coping with Vision Loss— Advice from those who’ve been there

It is shocking to learn from your doctor that your eye condition has caused severe vision loss or might lead to irreversible blindness. Will you be able to cope? How will you manage? What will people think? You can’t imagine carrying a white cane.

You are not alone. These questions and feelings are natural. Many others have been there before you. They can offer support and advice.

If you or someone you know has recently experienced a loss of vision, BALANCE recommends you read the handbook “VISION LOSS: Where Do I Go From Here?” on the website of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians.

Developed by Canadians living with vision loss, this handbook offers advice on emotional adjustment, where to get support, and how to become informed about eye conditions and treatment options. It also gives information about white canes and the emotionally charged decision to carry one. For those with remaining vision, the handbook explains various types of lighting and how to perform daily tasks around the home. There are also resources for students, for job seekers, and for people experiencing a hearing loss.

BALANCE for Blind Adults has professionally trained instructors, some of whom have experienced vision loss themselves. We provide programs, one-on-one training, and resources to help people address the effects of vision loss and develop the skills for independent living.