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My husband recently lost vision in one eye. What problems or resources should we know about? (self.Blind)
submitted by 1eyedwillyswife
This was a complication from a brain surgery to remove a growing but benign tumor, so we’ve only been dealing with this for a couple months, and just learned it may be more permanent than expected.
His “good eye” has 20/20 vision, but he presently has very limited peripheral vision. The ophthalmologist is presently uncertain as to whether he will drive again. So here are some questions:
1. Does he automatically qualify for ADA support? I already know this wouldn’t be enough of a disability for social security, but it is still considered enough of a disability to be under the law, right?
2. If he can’t drive again, would the ADA help us with getting future jobs and the accommodation of working from home? (He’s presently studying computer science, and found a remote internship, so I’m hopeful this is going to be the new norm.)
3. Are there any other support systems in place, such as discounts for Uber or self driving cars? I’m sure this is a long shot, but it doesn’t hurt to ask!
4. Anything we should know or do?
Thank you all for your help!
His “good eye” has 20/20 vision, but he presently has very limited peripheral vision. The ophthalmologist is presently uncertain as to whether he will drive again. So here are some questions:
1. Does he automatically qualify for ADA support? I already know this wouldn’t be enough of a disability for social security, but it is still considered enough of a disability to be under the law, right?
2. If he can’t drive again, would the ADA help us with getting future jobs and the accommodation of working from home? (He’s presently studying computer science, and found a remote internship, so I’m hopeful this is going to be the new norm.)
3. Are there any other support systems in place, such as discounts for Uber or self driving cars? I’m sure this is a long shot, but it doesn’t hurt to ask!
4. Anything we should know or do?
Thank you all for your help!
carolineecouture 8 points 1y ago
I'd start with your state and city and see if they offer services to support your husband. Google "city/state services for blind and visually impaired."
Depending on where he's in school there might be an office for students with disabilities. They may be able to assist with adaptive technology or accommodations for his school work.
Look up Orientation and Mobility training which might be helpful. As the other person said he will have problems with depth perception going forward.
Don't be afraid to ask for help! I've found most people are willing to help if you just ask. Starbucks, for example, has large print and braille menus. Not that he may need them but that there are accommodations that you might not be aware of.
Good luck to the both of you.
Depending on where he's in school there might be an office for students with disabilities. They may be able to assist with adaptive technology or accommodations for his school work.
Look up Orientation and Mobility training which might be helpful. As the other person said he will have problems with depth perception going forward.
Don't be afraid to ask for help! I've found most people are willing to help if you just ask. Starbucks, for example, has large print and braille menus. Not that he may need them but that there are accommodations that you might not be aware of.
Good luck to the both of you.
OldManOnFire 5 points 1y ago
In the United States legal blindness is defined as vision that is cannot be corrected to better than 20/200 in the better eye, OR a field of vision less than 20 degrees. Your husband might qualify under the second condition.
A certificate of legal blindness is a legal document filled out by a doctor. It's recognized by Social Security and other government agencies.
A certificate of legal blindness is a legal document filled out by a doctor. It's recognized by Social Security and other government agencies.
1eyedwillyswife [OP] 3 points 1y ago
His field of vision is still high enough. Honestly, though, I care less about social security disability than I do about accommodations. The biggest thing for me is I feel that if he cannot drive, he needs the option to from home, which is a distinct possibility since the pandemic forced everyone to try it out.
OldManOnFire 2 points 1y ago
You mentioned his peripheral vision has diminished. Has it been measured?
I'm asking because if I had guessed before I took the test I would have said my field of vision was about 45 degrees. It turns out it's only 12 degrees horizontally and 8 degrees vertically. I underestimated my peripheral vision loss by a factor of 4 or 5.
Your husband may be doing the same. If he's already stopped driving his might be measurably worse than he realizes.
I'm asking because if I had guessed before I took the test I would have said my field of vision was about 45 degrees. It turns out it's only 12 degrees horizontally and 8 degrees vertically. I underestimated my peripheral vision loss by a factor of 4 or 5.
Your husband may be doing the same. If he's already stopped driving his might be measurably worse than he realizes.
1eyedwillyswife [OP] 2 points 1y ago
We were told it’s somewhere between 60 and 90 degrees (I don’t know why we were given such a range, but that’s what we were told)
So it’s obviously not the worst, but it’s enough for the doctor to give a firm no to any driving until we know if it’s improving, staying stagnant, or getting worse.
So it’s obviously not the worst, but it’s enough for the doctor to give a firm no to any driving until we know if it’s improving, staying stagnant, or getting worse.
TwoSunsRise 5 points 1y ago
Hey there. I'm blind in one eye and need corrective lenses to see 20/20 in my other eye. I don't believe there are any benefits bc it shouldn't affect your every day life. I can drive and work and do anything perfectly normally. The main thing I'll never be able to do is see 3d movies or rides. HOWEVER, since he lost part of his vision later in life, definitely get some kind of vision therapy to help retrain his brain to see depth perception. I lost my sight when I was younger so my brain just kind of adapted and I never lost depth perception. Uber or Lyft doesn't offer any discounts for visually impaired riders. Self-driving cars are not safe enough yet to transport the visually impaired.
If he really can't drive and gain perception back, he may qualify for help getting back to work. You may need to prove that therapy was not helpful in regaining functionality though. To learn more about this, I would contact your local agency for the blind. I have no idea where you're located so I included some examples below.
Example of vision therapy: https://www.toledovisiontherapy.com/vision-therapy-eye-exercises
Example of local vision services: https://austinlighthouse.org/
If he really can't drive and gain perception back, he may qualify for help getting back to work. You may need to prove that therapy was not helpful in regaining functionality though. To learn more about this, I would contact your local agency for the blind. I have no idea where you're located so I included some examples below.
Example of vision therapy: https://www.toledovisiontherapy.com/vision-therapy-eye-exercises
Example of local vision services: https://austinlighthouse.org/
Pacificem 3 points 1y ago
Chiming in here! I completely lost my vision in one eye at 33 (4 years ago). I got back in a car and drove 48 hours later at the recommendation of my doctor and a therapist and I have never had any issues driving.
I work at a computer for 8-10 hours per day without any issues. I also ski, play tennis, and do just about everything else I did before (never thought about 3D movies - curious to try now!). All to say that life really doesn’t change at all. Four years later I often go days (even weeks) without even thinking about it - that’s how little it impacts my day to day life.
That being said, the world treats vision as particularly sacred and I have found instances where accommodations were made if I asked. For example, when I moved to a new state I was given unlimited time on the bar exam to accommodate my disability. The US state I live in does also provide disabled parking passes for people with monocular vision but I felt guilty about that one so I very rarely use my pass unless parking downtown 🤷♀️
I work at a computer for 8-10 hours per day without any issues. I also ski, play tennis, and do just about everything else I did before (never thought about 3D movies - curious to try now!). All to say that life really doesn’t change at all. Four years later I often go days (even weeks) without even thinking about it - that’s how little it impacts my day to day life.
That being said, the world treats vision as particularly sacred and I have found instances where accommodations were made if I asked. For example, when I moved to a new state I was given unlimited time on the bar exam to accommodate my disability. The US state I live in does also provide disabled parking passes for people with monocular vision but I felt guilty about that one so I very rarely use my pass unless parking downtown 🤷♀️
TwoSunsRise 3 points 1y ago
Good feedback and glad your depth perception wasn't really affected! Mine wasn't either but everyone's bodies and brains are different so I don't want to make any assumptions for OP. 3D images are just kinda blurry, flat images like a normal movie. The glasses do take away the blur but will never give any 3d effect since it needs two eyes for that to work.
verruckt12 2 points 1y ago
I’m surprised you have no issues driving. At least for me, living in Europe, I find that the lanes and sometimes parking spaces are small enough that I am pretty uncomfortable driving. We are fortunate to have a Volvo with cameras and parking sensors and that helps a lot. But I have still reduced my driving significantly, and usually only drive when there is no other option. I wondered if it would be OK for me to try skiing again, I’m mainly worried about the loss of side vision and running into someone or that the loss of Depth perception would be an issue. For example when I’m cycling, I am sometimes surprised by bumps in the road or trail because of the missing depth perception. I bought a bike with wider tires to help make sure I have more stability because of this problem.
1eyedwillyswife [OP] 3 points 1y ago
This was such a helpful answer! Thank you!!!
TwoSunsRise 3 points 1y ago
Of course! Good luck to you and yours. Feel free to reach out with anything else. :)
rumster 2 points 1y ago
Great comment
TwoSunsRise 1 points 1y ago
Thank you 🙂
TwinPurpleEagle 2 points 1y ago
That's me! I was born completely blind in my left eye and now have 20/200 vision in my right eye (when I was a young child it was 20/70). I have no depth perception nor peripheral vision. Because I was born not knowing any different, my brain doesn't have any concept of what depth perception is or what 3D movies with special glasses are "supposed" to even look like. What state do you live in?
If he's studying computer science at a university, the services for students with disabilities should be able to help with accommodations for classroom assignments.
Finding a job shouldn't be a problem. There are plenty of completely blind computer programmers. He can use screen reader software (VoiceOver, JAWS, NVDA) if he needs it. I'm sure he is aware of (or can Google) the settings for magnification and high contrast displays on whatever operating system he uses. The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (or Commission for the Blind, or whatever it's called) in your state can help with obtaining assistive technology, usually at no cost to you.
As for transportation, there's paratransit for persons with disabilities and the elderly, but it is horrible where I live in southern California. I just have to budget for an Uber/Lyft and factor in the 10-15 minute wait time for a ride if I need to get to a scheduled appointment or something. There are no discounts.
Is he okay navigating around or would using a white cane be beneficial? Orientation and mobility training might be helpful.
You can also ask your ophthalmologist for a referral to see a Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVTs and SCLVs). They instruct individuals in the efficient use of remaining vision with optical devices, non-optical devices, and assistive technology, and can help determine the need for environmental modifications in the home, workplace, or school. More information here: https://visionaware.org/everyday-living/essential-skills/vision-rehabilitation-services/
If he's studying computer science at a university, the services for students with disabilities should be able to help with accommodations for classroom assignments.
Finding a job shouldn't be a problem. There are plenty of completely blind computer programmers. He can use screen reader software (VoiceOver, JAWS, NVDA) if he needs it. I'm sure he is aware of (or can Google) the settings for magnification and high contrast displays on whatever operating system he uses. The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (or Commission for the Blind, or whatever it's called) in your state can help with obtaining assistive technology, usually at no cost to you.
As for transportation, there's paratransit for persons with disabilities and the elderly, but it is horrible where I live in southern California. I just have to budget for an Uber/Lyft and factor in the 10-15 minute wait time for a ride if I need to get to a scheduled appointment or something. There are no discounts.
Is he okay navigating around or would using a white cane be beneficial? Orientation and mobility training might be helpful.
You can also ask your ophthalmologist for a referral to see a Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVTs and SCLVs). They instruct individuals in the efficient use of remaining vision with optical devices, non-optical devices, and assistive technology, and can help determine the need for environmental modifications in the home, workplace, or school. More information here: https://visionaware.org/everyday-living/essential-skills/vision-rehabilitation-services/
Dietzgen17 2 points 1y ago
Contact your state's Commission for the Blind.
Thameus 2 points 1y ago
> His “good eye” has 20/20 vision, but he presently has very limited peripheral vision
Is that the same eye that is both 20/20 and limited peripheral? Just being 20/20 would let you drive with required side mirrors. I've been that guy. If that is combined with the narrow field then maybe not. In which case he should qualify to use the area's paratransit programs, if there are any.
Is that the same eye that is both 20/20 and limited peripheral? Just being 20/20 would let you drive with required side mirrors. I've been that guy. If that is combined with the narrow field then maybe not. In which case he should qualify to use the area's paratransit programs, if there are any.
1eyedwillyswife [OP] 2 points 1y ago
To clarify, he has zero vision in one eye, so yes, it is the same eye. We just don’t know how long term this is, or if his peripheral will come back or get worse, so we have to wait. I’m just asking Reddit now so that I can be more prepared for whatever happens.
Thameus 2 points 1y ago
Yeah you want to reach out to state human services / rehab services to get him hooked up with whatever they can provide.
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