Adjusting to life with low vision can be hard, but having the right support around you can make things a little easier. “There are a lot of communities and nonprofits that you can get plugged in with, so you can spend time with people who also have vision loss,” says Elkins.
Some organizations also have centers for the visually impaired, offer occupational therapy referrals, and lend out tools, such magnifiers and lights that make it easier to read up close or see objects farther away, she says. (They can also help you buy your own equipment.)
To connect with people in your area, check out organizations such as the American Council of the Blind, which offers a Peer Support and Mentoring program. You’ll make new friends and learn something new.
“Just because you’re missing some of your vision doesn’t mean that you have to miss your life,” says Elkins.