Psychological Impact of Vision LossBy Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com Updated June 15, 2025 Losing vision, particularly after previously having normal vision, is a profound and life-changing experience. It often presents a series of emotional and psychological challenges that can impact every aspect of an individual's life. Adjustment to vision loss is a personal journey that often follows stages like the grief process.
In Foundations of Rehabilitation Teaching with Persons Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired, Ponchillia summarizes Dr. Tuttle’s phases of adjustment to vision loss. These phases help us understand the emotional transitions individuals may experience.
Phases of Adjustment to Vision Loss (Tuttle)
Individual Differences in AdjustmentIf vision is lost gradually, the person may go through these phases repeatedly, each time their vision changes or they realize they can no longer perform a task as before. The adjustment process is highly individual; some may move quickly through the stages, while others may linger in certain phases longer.
Factors Influencing AdjustmentSeveral key factors influence how a person adjusts to vision loss:
Everyone’s journey with vision loss is unique. Understanding the psychological process and the many factors that influence adjustment can help educators, families, and professionals provide empathetic, informed, and effective support.
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