Vision Loss Questions? Answers and Support for Older Adults
Get answers about daily living, emotional support, and what to do next after your diagnosis.
Recently diagnosed with macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or another age-related eye condition? You're not alone. Discover new ways to do things that are now more difficult and connect with a community who “gets it.”
Hadley Website
Hadley has provided free vision loss support services to thousands of older adults for more than 100 years—across the entire United States and worldwide—helping people like you adjust to vision loss, learn practical skills, and cope with the emotional impact of low vision.
Below you'll find answers to common questions about vision loss—from what happens at the eye doctor to how to keep cooking, reading, and more.
Please call Hadley at 800-323-4238 . We're happy to figure it out together and get you logged in.
See an eye doctor as soon as you can so they can help you understand your vision and offer treatments.
Hadley offers free how-to videos and emotional support programs to help older adults navigate living with vision loss all across the United States and worldwide. Our help comes to you online, by phone, or through the mail.
Call us at 800-323-4238 or email [email protected] to connect with a support specialist, who can help you get the resources and support you're seeking. We can also help you find services in your region.
Absolutely! Hadley offers free bite-sized how-to workshops designed for older adults adjusting to vision loss. Discover new ways to do things and coping strategies for daily life, technology, and more. Workshops are available online as videos as well as through the mail in audio format or large print. Choose what works best for you.
Get started: Visit HadleyHelps.org/learn, or call 800-323-4238, and we'll help you find a place to begin.
Yes! Hadley has a free app. Scan this QR code with your phone camera
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You can also text HDLY to 54525 or call us at 800-323-4238 and we'll walk you through it.
Problems with My Vision
After a vision loss diagnosis, following up with your eye doctor, learning more about your eye condition, and finding ways to adapt daily tasks for your vision are important steps to take. Many also find it helpful to connect with support or others living with vision loss.
If you're feeling lost and not sure where to start, you don't have to go it alone. Hadley is here to help you figure out your best next step, at your pace.
Call us at 800-323-4238.
Some types of vision loss can be slowed or prevented with early detection and treatment. Regular eye exams and discussing any vision changes with an eye doctor are essential.
Monthly Macular Chats and Glaucoma Chats from Bright Focus Foundation offer insights into the latest breakthroughs, treatments, and promising research on the horizon. Learn more with this Hadley Presents podcast episode: Hear from the Scientists: Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration Chats.
Also, if a doctor tells you, “nothing more can be done,” that may be strictly from a treatment perspective. There is more help for living with vision loss. Access Hadley’s how-to workshops and emotional support right away, anywhere. There’s no waiting list, no doctor's note, no travel, no fee at all. Just call us at 800-323-4238.
Macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, eye stroke, and cataracts are the most common age-related eye conditions. Although they can cause significant visual impairment, they do not necessarily result in full blindness.
The following Hadley Presents podcast episodes offer in-depth information about glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetes:
- Eye Doctors on Common Eye Conditions
- Glaucoma Questions, Concerns and Answers
- Retina Specialist on Macular Degeneration and Other Conditions
If you've been diagnosed with vision loss, call us at 800-323-4238. Discover new ways to do things and get the emotional support you may be looking for—no waiting list, no doctor's note, no travel, no fee at all.
Yes—it's important to have changes like floaters, blurring, dark spots, wavy lines, or flashes of light checked by an eye doctor. These can be signs of an eye condition. If you notice any changes in your vision, it's a good idea to reach out to an eye doctor. They can help you understand what's happening and what the next steps would be.
If you're feeling a bit unsure about what to expect at your eye appointment, Hadley offers some ways to help you prepare, including the Visiting Your Eye Doctor workshop and the Eye Tests playlist on YouTube. These can help you know what to expect.
Want help getting started? Call 800-323-4238 and we'll walk through it with you.
Hearing this diagnosis can feel overwhelming. But macular degeneration usually doesn't mean total blindness. It affects central vision, leaving your side (peripheral) vision usable. Changes are often gradual, which can give you time to adjust and gain new ways of doing everyday tasks. Everyone’s experience is different.
You don't have to figure it out on your own. Hadley offers:
- A Living with Macular Degeneration workshop series with practical, everyday tips.
- A real story from Anne, who shares how she's coping with macular degeneration in Hadley's Adjusting and Coping video Grief and Loss.
If you've been diagnosed with macular degeneration, call us at 800-323-4238. Discover new ways to do things and get the emotional support you may be looking for—no waiting list, no doctor's note, no travel, no fee at all.
Blindness from glaucoma is a common and understandable concern. The answer isn't the same for everyone, but many people can keep some vision with early diagnosis, treatment, and regular eye care. Glaucoma specialist Dr. Jullia Rosdahl explains that once you lose vision from glaucoma, doctors can't get that vision back. That’s why early detection and diagnosis of glaucoma are very important for saving sight. With treatment and regular care, many people have been able to slow glaucoma’s progression and protect their remaining vision over time. Dr. Rosdahl explains more in the Hadley Presents episode Glaucoma Questions, Concerns and Answers.
Many people also find it helpful to learn how others are managing this. Hadley offers:
- The free workshop series Living with Glaucoma with practical, everyday tips for managing vision loss.
- A real story from Ron, who shares how he copes with vision loss in the Adjusting and Coping video Asking for Help.
Want to talk it through? Call 800-323-4238 to speak with a Hadley support specialist—free, with no pressure. Lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time.
Hearing a diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy can feel overwhelming. But some types of vision loss from diabetic retinopathy may be slowed or prevented with early detection and treatment, along with effective diabetes management. Regular eye exams and discussing any vision changes with an eye doctor are essential for protecting remaining sight.
If you're looking for guidance, Hadley offers:
- The Living with Diabetic Retinopathy workshop series with practical tips for daily life with vision loss.
- The Managing Diabetes workshop series with tips on how to check blood sugar and administer insulin with vision loss.
- A chat about managing your blood sugar with vision loss with Jessica Grogan from the American Diabetes Association in the Hadley Presents episode Managing Diabetes and Vision Loss.
- A real story from Kara, who shares how she's adjusting to vision loss from diabetic retinopathy in Hadley's Adjusting and Coping video Self-Esteem.
Want help getting started? Call 800-323-4238 to speak with a Hadley support specialist—free and easy to access. Navigating Eye Care
Finding the right eye doctor can make a big difference. You may need a retina specialist to treat your eye condition, or a low vision specialist to help you make the most of your remaining vision.
If you'd like to learn more about how these specialists help, you may be interested in listening to these Hadley Presents podcast episodes:
- A Chat with a Retina Specialist with Dr. Matthew MacCumber
- Specialists for Low Vision with Dr. Laura Miller
If you'd like to search for a specialist, here are some trusted directories:
- Find a Retina Specialist, from the American Society of Retina Specialists
- The Vision Council Foundation's Low Vision Prescriber Network
And if you'd like help figuring out your options, Hadley can guide you. Call 800-323-4238 to talk with a support specialist—free and easy to access.
Eye appointments can feel challenging with vision loss—but a few strategies can make things a little bit easier. A generally helpful strategy is to plan ahead for common challenges:
- Filling out paperwork: Ask for forms ahead of time so you can fill them out at your own pace. Sam Seavey of The Blind Life has low vision and offers different tips and strategies to help you fill them out in Tackling Paperwork and Forms with Vision Loss.
- Getting there: Transportation may take more planning. Some people use ADA vouchers, budget for Uber and taxis, or find local community support. Hadley members offer even more ideas in Transportation Ideas from the Hadley Community.
- Preparing for the visit: Bring a list of questions and prepare to take notes. Hadley's workshop Visiting Your Eye Doctor has a downloadable list of questions to help you get started. Dr. Judy Box, who has macular degeneration, also discusses what questions to ask in Getting the Most from Your Eye Doctor Appointments.
- Asking for help: Asking for help can make it easier to manage medical appointments, but if you find it difficult, you're not the only one. That's why Hadley offers the free Adjusting and Coping video Asking for Help, with strategies to help.
If you'd like more guidance, Hadley offers the Hadley Presents podcast episodes Getting the Most from Your Eye Doctor Appointments and Navigating Health Care with Vision Loss.
Not sure where to start? Call 800-323-4238 and we can talk it through together.
Dealing with Emotions and Vision Loss
Feeling depressed or anxious after a vision loss diagnosis or changes in your vision is very common. You're definitely not alone—the struggle to cope with vision loss is shared by many. Story after story in the Insights ∓ Sound Bites podcast, Hadley members mention struggling with depression. Adjusting to vision loss is difficult. Talking about it can help. Many people find it useful to hear from others who have been through similar experiences and to learn ways to cope day to day.
Hadley offers support through:
- The Adjusting and Coping video Isolation, where Angela shares how she had to push herself through some rough patches and connect meaningfully with other people. In fact, you may find the entire series helpful to navigate the emotional journey with vision loss.
- Take a listen to Hadley Presents podcast episode Depression and Vision Loss, where ophthalmologist Dr. John Shepherd explores the connection between vision loss and depression, signs to look for, and how to get support.
If you're struggling to cope with vision loss, reaching out to someone you trust—or a professional—can make a difference.
You don't have to go it alone. Call 800-323-4238 to talk with a Hadley support specialist—free and confidential.
Many feel this way. As one Hadley member shared in “I found something to do”: “That's the biggest thing, was learning to ask for help, because I was a very independent person, and I had been my whole life. … And now all of a sudden, you can't drive, you have to ask for rides everywhere, and you can't do your way of life anymore. It was a big change.” Over time, you may find that asking for help is about finding new ways to keep doing what matters to you.
Hadley’s free Adjusting and Coping video Asking for Help shares how Ron, a retired engineer, struggles to cope with glaucoma, but by coming to terms with asking for help, he finds volunteer work that gives him a sense of meaning.
If you’re interested in finding other older adults with vision loss who understand this challenge and others, call Hadley at 800-323-4238 to connect.
Connecting with others who understand the vision loss journey has made a difference for countless members of the Hadley community. Simply talking with someone who “gets it” has helped many feel less alone. Hadley offers several free ways to connect with other older adults with vision loss, including:
- Adjusting and Coping Together virtual vision loss support groups where you can navigate, share, and talk through the difficult emotions that come with vision loss, and learn some ways to cope.
- Discussion groups based on shared interests give you a chance to connect and learn from Hadley and others.
- Peer to Peer is a program where members connect with another person on a similar journey with vision loss. In this episode of Hadley Presents, Peer-to-Peer Program, two members discuss how it has enriched their lives.
Interested in connecting? Call Hadley at 800-323-4238 .
Daily Living and Vision Loss
Depending on the tasks and your needs, small tips, tweaks, and adjustments can make a big difference. They can be as simple as brightly colored tape and Velcro, or as specialized as high-powered magnifiers and the white cane.
Hadley offers some helpful ways to get started:
- Handheld Magnifiers is a workshop that walks you through different handheld magnifiers and how they can be useful.
- Labels for Everyday Use is a series of workshops where you can discover new ways to label hard-to-see objects, like groceries, medications, or appliances.
If you're interested in technology, Sam Seavey from The Blind Life shares his top Tech Tools for Vision Loss from Low to High Tech, a very popular Hadley Presents episode.
And Hadley's free Seeing AI series introduces a free app that reads aloud what's in front of the smartphone camera. You can use it to read text, identify money, recognize colors, describe pictures, and more.
Not sure which tools are right for you? Call 800-323-4238 and we'll help you find a place to start.
Giving up the car keys can be one of the hardest parts of vision loss. Not being able to hop in the car and go places whenever you want often causes frustration and grief. There are still ways to get where you need to go. Hadley offers several ideas you may want to consider:
- Finding Transportation Options After Vision Loss and Transportation Ideas from the Hadley Community, where members share what’s worked for them.
- Navigating Unfamiliar Places and Spaces offers workshops on getting around, from inside your house to out in your community.
If you're feeling uncertain, frustrated, or overwhelmed because you cannot drive anymore, you're not alone—and you're not stuck there. It's one reason why Hadley created the Adjusting and Coping Together video series to help you navigate through the intense emotions that come with vision loss.
If you'd like more help exploring transportation options in your area, call Hadley at 800-323-4238, and we'll help you think through what might work.
Some small changes at home can be very helpful for making it easier for you to get around with vision loss. Strategies include improving lighting, reducing glare, and increasing contrast to make things easier to see. So you might place chairs and couches with their backs to windows, use contrasting colors on stairs, and keep walkways clear.
Hadley's Low Vision series has free how-to workshops that offer specific adjustments to make your home easier to get around:
Communicating with others you live with is also important to avoid unexpected obstacles and hazards. Many people have found talking with others about their vision loss to be a challenge. That’s why Hadley offers the free Adjusting and Coping video Impact on Relationships, which has some strategies to help with these conversations.
And if you'd like further help with figuring out what changes to make, call 800-323-4238. We're here to help.
Smartphones and apps can be very helpful tools for living with vision loss. Both iPhone and Android have built-in “accessibility” features—like magnification, voice assistants, low vision adjustments, and screen readers—that can make them easier to use without relying on vision.
Helpful apps can also make everyday tasks easier. For example:
- Seeing AI on iPhone or Android can read text aloud and describe what's in front of your camera.
- Be My Eyes can connect you with a sighted volunteer for real-time help.
Hadley offers free step-by-step workshops to help with:
- Using your iPhone with low vision
- Using your Android phone with low vision
- Using Seeing AI on iPhone or Android
You can also talk with a technology specialist at 800-323-4238 to find the best place to start.
If you'd like to learn from others, Hadley's Tech It Out discussion group meets monthly (by phone or online) to share tips and experiences. It's free and you're welcome to join.
If you like to hear about how smartphones and apps can help with vision loss, the Hadley Presents podcast often offers helpful episodes. Popular ones include:
When you've lost some vision, reading is often difficult. But with the right tools and a few tips, you can get back to reading the mail, a price tag, thermostat, or book. Learn some tips and tricks with this series of workshops Reading with Vision Loss.
The Hadley Presents podcast episode Reading After Vision Loss, shares tips and tricks for how to keep reading, from low-tech methods to high-tech gadgets, and the benefits of braille for everyday tasks.
For example, you might try:
- Magnifiers to make text larger
- Audio options like audiobooks or text-to-speech
- Apps or devices that read text aloud
- Braille for labeling or reading by touch
The National Library Service offers audiobooks for people with vision loss. You can listen to the podcast episode National Library Service and Free Talking Books to learn more. Then apply for NLS services or call Hadley at 800-323-4238 to help you connect with NLS.
Yes! There are many ways to adapt your cooking skills and continue cooking safely with vision loss.
Small changes can make a big difference:
- Using high contrast, like pouring a dark liquid into a light-colored cup
- Keeping doors and cupboards closed
- Using labels you can feel to identify things, and much more.
Try these free workshops to explore more:
- Cooking: Pouring — some tips and planning can help with pouring hot and cold liquids safely and accurately.
- Cooking: Kitchen Safety Basics — some tips and techniques may help you safely prepare meals with vision loss.
- Labels You Touch — these marks can tell you what something is and how to use it.
If you'd rather talk it through, give us a call at 800-323-4238 and we'll figure it out together.
Tune in to hear how others have adapted, Cooking After Vision Loss features two Hadley members sharing what works for them
Braille and Vision Loss
You don't need to learn braille just because you've lost some vision. But many find it helpful for some everyday tasks.
For example, learning a few letters and numbers can help you:
- Use an elevator panel by touch
- Label items around your home
- Keep some things organized
And if you find you enjoy braille, you can learn more to read books and play games.
Hear how others have used braille in their daily lives:
- “I love to cook and I'm not stopping”: Linda learned some braille and uses it in her kitchen.
- Leah Moore, Learning New Ways to Do What She Loves: Leah determined to prepare for vision loss, including learning braille with Hadley.
If you're curious, you can try a little to see how it goes. Our free Braille for Everyday Use series is set up for you to learn at your own pace, online or by phone. Call 800-323-4238 to order your first book.
If you're interested in learning braille, Hadley has free options to help you get started.
Hadley's free Braille for Everyday Use series is designed for learning braille for practical use, like labeling. You learn at your own pace.
Workbooks are mailed directly to your home, and you can listen to the audio from your telephone or computer. And we offer free braille support along the way. Just call 800-323-4238.
Discover what it's like to learn practical braille, the Hadley Presents podcast episode Learning Braille for Everyday Use features Wendy Spencer Davis talking about her experience. She says, “And I even started labeling my seasonings in the cabinet and other items in the freezer.”
Call 800-323-4238 or email [email protected] to learn more.
Family, Friends, & Professionals
Hadley offers a free, interactive, online “Braille by Sight” program designed for family members and professionals.
You can learn at your own pace, from basic uncontracted braille and punctuation to contracted braille and special symbols. You can also learn how to write braille.
You can start exploring the series here:
Sign up anytime at HadleyHelps.org.
Many family members and friends of people with vision loss have joined Hadley. Our free resources can help you better understand what your loved one may be experiencing and what support can look like.
To better understand the emotional side:
- The Adjusting and Coping Together video series shares real stories from older adults navigating the difficult emotions from living with vision loss, and what has helped them move forward.
For practical guidance:
- Guided Walking shows safe and respectful ways to guide a person with vision loss.
To explore relationships and communication:
- Vision Loss and Family Dynamics features a visually impaired marriage and family therapist who offers insight into some common family dynamics that often make adjustment more challenging, as well as how to navigate through them successfully.
- The Impact of Vision Loss on Friendships and The Impact of Vision Loss on Marriage, Revisited share real experiences from friends and couples.
If you're not sure where to start, reach out: 800-323-4238.
Yes! Hadley offers FREE CE hours approved through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP). Visit the ACVREP page for Hadley's offerings.