Episode 12

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Published on:

19th Apr 2026

Episode 12: How Can I Explain My Vision Loss? Near Acuity

Living with Vision Loss Podcast

Episode 12: How Can I Explain My Vision Loss? Near Acuity

Host: Dawn Ciccarone, MS OTR/L, CLVT | Episode Type: Educational

Episode Summary

Dawn shares three ways to explain your near vision loss to family, friends, and healthcare providers. Vision loss is personal and hard to explain, but educating others helps you feel less alone.

What Is Near Acuity?

Near acuity is seeing up close. Normal vision reads 1M (8-point font). With vision loss, you may only see larger print or you may not be able to see print at all.

Three Ways to Explain Your Near Vision Loss

1. Describe the print size you can see — "I can only see 64-point font" or "I can't see any print."

2. Describe activities you struggle reading— Medicine bottles, mail, prices, labels, cooking instructions, money, credit cards, computer screens.

3. Describe your eye condition — "I have macular degeneration and can't see regular print" or "I have glaucoma and can't identify my medications."

Treatment Interventions for Near Acuity

• Magnification — Make print bigger (devices covered in previous episodes)

• Text-to-speech -devices, apps or technology (more episodes coming)

• Adaptation — Automatic bill pay, online grocery delivery, doing things differently

Things to Consider

It's okay to be frustrated, annoyed, or tired. Vision loss affects every aspect of life. Educate others when you're ready — there's no pressure. Explaining your vision loss can help you feel less alone.

Resources

Questions: dawnmciccarone@gmail.com | YouTube: Search "Living with Vision Loss Dawn Ciccarone"

Share how you explain your vision loss or strategies that improved your quality of life on YouTube!

Keywords: near acuity, explain vision loss, low vision education, macular degeneration, glaucoma, print size, magnification, text to speech, vision loss family

Medical Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Consult your physician or low vision specialist before making treatment decisions.

Living with Vision Loss Podcast © 2026 | Become More Independent in Your Everyday Life

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About the Podcast

Living with Vision Loss
Helping people with low vision live more independently
I'm Dawn Ciccarone, a certified low vision therapist and occupational therapist, and I created Living with Vision Loss to share something that changed my life: hope.
For over 20 years, I've worked with patients who come to me after hearing nothing but "your vision won't get better." They've been struggling—some for 5 years, some for 20—not knowing that low vision therapy exists or that there are tools, apps, and techniques that can help them read again, regain independence, and live fuller lives.
What is low vision? It's vision that can't be corrected by glasses, surgery, or medication due to conditions affecting the retina—macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, and many others. But here's what most people don't know: you can learn to function with the vision you have.
On this channel, I answer the questions my patients ask me every day:

How do I read a book if I'm blind or have low vision?
What devices and apps can help me?
How do I adapt my environment?
What professionals can help me?
How do I maintain independence?

Whether you're a person with vision loss, a family member or caregiver, or a healthcare professional looking to learn more about low vision rehabilitation, this channel is for you. I break down complex topics into practical, actionable information—because no one should struggle in isolation when help is available.
My credentials include certification as a Low Vision Therapist and years of experience as an occupational therapist specializing in vision rehabilitation. I teach at an optometry school, lead technology support groups, and work with patients of all ages—from young people with genetic conditions to older adults with age-related vision loss.
Let's learn how to live with vision loss together.