January 14, 2026 by Brianna Giruzzi, OTR/L

Low Vision Tips for Your Occupational Therapy Patients

A large part of the population that we as occupational therapists can work with are people with low vision or impaired vision. Some patients may even start occupational therapy services because of a low vision diagnosis, but other patients may start OT for a different reason, but still have underlying vision problems that affect their daily life.

Because of this, OT practitioners should know about low vision interventions, and be prepared to use them in any OT setting. So for today’s article, we will be sharing the top low vision tips for around the house. These low vision safety tips can be shared with your patients in any adult setting that you work in.

First, Some Low Vision Statistics

Recent estimates show over 50 million Americans age 18 and older have some degree of vision loss (AFB.org). Having low vision means your patient’s view may be blurry or hazy. Generally, this cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or medical procedures. Because of this, patients can have difficulty performing their day to day occupations.

Common types of low vision:

Central vision loss (unable to see things in the center of your vision)
Peripheral vision loss (unable to see things on the outer sides of your vision)
Night blindness (unable to see in darker settings)

The type of vision loss will depend on the condition that caused it.

Main causes of low vision:

Macular degeneration
Cataracts
Diabetic retinopathy
Glaucoma

Safety becomes a concern with impaired vision. Not only can patients struggle with efficiency when completing tasks, they are also at risk for falls, personal injury, and household damage. Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled at identifying risks and offering solutions.

Low Vision OT Interventions

A household assessment is an ideal session to share with patients with low vision. If you are not able to visit their living space, you can still review their needs, talk to caregivers, and make recommendations.

Below are some ideas to try when helping your patients with daily routines. Magnifying devices and large print items are not mentioned, but are always an option. High-tech tools are also not reviewed, since these tips are meant to be ready-to-use and inexpensive.

Colors

Color contrasting is one way to make items more alerting to the eye. An example is keeping a bright white toothbrush on a dark blue towel when preparing to brush your teeth. The colors oppose each other, and make the shapes a bit easier to detect. This technique can be utilized across all activities of daily living (ADLs).

Meals

Use verbal cues that align with numbers on a clock when pointing out where food is located on a plate. (“Your carrots are at 5 o’clock”)
Use dark measuring cups with sugar and flour to see the amount better when cooking
Hold a clean finger on the top of a cup when pouring juice to feel when it’s full
Drink dark beverages from light-colored mugs to enhance the contrast
Use a black cutting board when chopping onions
Use a placemat to keep materials inside a border so you know how far to reach
When reaching for something, keep fingers angled down to lightly trace the tabletop until you find it
Avoid over-seasoning food by sprinkling enough spices into the palm first

Dressing

Keep colors that are easily confused (like black and navy) on separate sides of the closet. When your patient chooses their outfit, they will know that black is on the left and blue is on the right.

Secure buttons or tags in a discrete location on clothes to help identify them. A small button sewn onto the label of a sweater would indicate that it’s appropriate for cold weather.
Use a tactile marker of your choice to differentiate right from left shoes
Tie a small knot in one lace of certain shoes (maybe this is their orthopedic pair they were advised to wear more often, but have a hard time finding)
Protect the eyes from overhead glare or outdoor sunlight by wearing a hat with a brim

Medications

Secure something to pill bottles that makes them easier to identify by touch
Wrap rubber bands around morning medications and none for evening ones
Velcro-like strips can help certain bottles stand out if you need to find them in a hurry
Use short visual cues, like a large “C” for calcium
Use adjustable lamps that patients can angle towards their task.

General Low Vision Tips for at Home

Sit with your back facing the window, so the sunlight is projecting onto your book instead of into your eyes
Sit facing away from a lamp, rather than looking head-on into the light
Place colored tape on the edge of a step, doorway, or corners of furniture Solid and bright colors (red, yellow, orange) are easier to see
Hang a blanket over the backs of chairs to better guide patients while walking by
Dark bed sheets will stand out against a white carpet and prevent tripping if they hang too low
Mark appliances with “bump dots” or tape to make the settings easier to find Textured stickers can be applied to remote controls and light switches
Doing up-close work or looking at electronic screens for extended periods of time can lead to eye strain and fatigue. Practice taking a break with the 20/20/20 rule: look away every 20 minutes to focus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Make simple labels with large font to help organize items
Drawer dividers can sort small items like makeup and jewelry
Remove or cover mirrors that reflect light and create glare
Keep all rooms equally lit so the eyes don’t have to adjust to lighting changes when walking around

Bathroom

Use dark bath mats for a white floor
Colored tape on the toilet’s edge can improve sit alignment or cleanliness Colored tape on tub railings and entryways for safety
Add stick-on lights to the wall or ceiling to illuminate the area (good for inside the shower or shaving at the sink)
If you can, replace incandescent light bulbs. Compact fluorescent or LED bulbs make a brighter light.
Put toothpaste on a clean finger and spread it onto the toothbrush (instead of lining items up in the traditional way)

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Maintaining the safety of your patients with low vision is a top priority in occupational therapy. OT low vision treatments can be creative and functional without being expensive. Fortunately, there are many affordable low vision tips for patients to try around the house. Good luck creating your own strategies as well! We would love to hear what you have come up with in the comments below.

Lastly, if you are interested in more about low vision OT, be sure to check out our free companion resources:

Finding Your Passion For All Things Vision in Occupational Therapy

Vision Assessment and Treatment: Your One-Stop Shop