Sharing My Experience With Low Vision

I want to share my experience to add value in the life of other patients suffering from same issues. I had a brain tumor surgery in 2019 and have been in the recovery phase ever since.

Vision problems after brain tumor surgery

I graduated from a chemical engineering program in 2015. Later, I completed a master's in process engineering in 2018. Eight months into the job in a process facility, I got diagnosed with a meningioma near the brain stem. It was first operated on by a neurosurgeon and radiated with Cyberknife 3 months after surgery in Nov 2019.

Before the radiation, the vision was all right. After Cyberknife, I suffered from a low vision problem at the age of 26 years.

Readjusting to life with low vision

It was very difficult at the start to resume my job because I couldn’t read, write, or use a computer (right hand was partially paralyzed due to brain tumor). Everything in my job was dependent on vision. Fortunately, my employers were very patient and gave me the liberty to find a position according to my own interests.

The following are the tools that have proven to be helpful in improving my lifestyle:

Using a screen reader

There was a big step in my life when I found a screen reader. I want to give credit to NVDA (Non Visual Desktop Access). It enabled me to operate my computer without any visual. I was able to use my laptop without even looking at the screen. Its accessibility on the internet is amazing. I was able to use websites like Youtube and Facebook. However, NVDA in combination with some level of vision (like with low vision) is great. The best is when you operate the computer normally and use the screen reader for reading large paragraphs and descriptions.

Some of the NVDA shortcuts are worth remembering:
Alt + Ctrl + ‘N’ to start NVDA.
‘insert’ + ‘Q’ to exit NVDA.
‘insert’ + ‘N’ to open NVDA option menu.
‘insert’ + ‘Down Arrow’ to read whole page
Press ‘Tab’ to go to next interactive element of the page.
Press ‘Shift’ to pause reading of NVDA
Press ‘Ctrl’ to stop NVDA reading.
Press ‘1’, ‘2’ or ‘3’ for heading levels respectively.
Press ‘x’, ‘c’, ‘v’ , ‘u’,’b’ and ‘e’ for accessing check box, combo box, visited link, unvisited link, button and entry widget respectively.

Utilizing accessibility settings on a computer

Low vision settings proved to be very helpful. As in my case, the things are more visible with a dark background. Therefore, I do some custom settings on my PC. For example, pressing Alt+Shift+PrintScreen on a Windows system enables high contrast settings with a black background.

I prefer using keyboard shortcuts in operation of my pc. Some of the very useful shortcuts are as follows:
‘Alt’ + ‘D’ on every browser edits the url bar
'Windows’ + ‘D’ minizes every running program and access directly to desktop
'Windows’ + ‘up arrow’ maximizes the current program window
‘Alt’ + ‘Tab’ to shift between running applications

I keep the mouse cursor size larger than usual. I also do the following:

• Keep mouse cursor speed and double click speed a bit slower
• Keep click lock ON, dragging of any program or selection with long press of the primary button of the mouse.
• In most software programs, I use high contrast themes under preferences tab.
• I use larger fonts for text, or zoom in for the text easier to read.

I don’t use an onscreen keyboard; however, I have learnt to type from keyboard without looking at the keys. The keys ‘F’ and ‘J’ have a little bump to locate other keys on keyboard.

I always keep my headphones on when using a PC, listening to the screen reader.

I frequently use a computer magnifier to look at different parts of the screen. It can be toggled ON and OFF with pressing windows + '+' and windows + Esc keys on your keyboard respectively.

For videos, especially tutorials, I use invert screen colours function in magnifier options and change the magnification to 100% (original size).

Helpful phone tips

For my cellphone, I was using Android for many years. Due to my restricted visual ability, I had to shift towards IOS, as it offers more variety of accessibility options. I absolutely adore the ‘Smart Invert’ feature. As most of the apps have a white background, it inverts it to black without distorting images and icons of the apps. However, newer Android phones also offer a Dark Theme option which also does the work. For phone I also prefer larger fonts and increased contrast.

For my landline phone, I locate keys with a little bump on key 5 and dial any number.

Exercising, walking, and being outside

I wear a fitness band synchronized with an app on my phone. Its water resistance allows me to wear it for long periods of time except during charging time. In addition to time, it also displays heart rate, blood oxygen saturation levels, and stress measurement. It also counts the number of steps and calculates distance. Its darker theme allows me to read the information more easily.

During my routine walk (home and office), I usually remember up and down places and maneuver my speed and foot angle accordingly. I try to memorize every bit of detail in my path and hurdles in walking.

I use very small signs in my routine. For example, I am unable to recognise my office van by reading the license plate number. As a solution, I have told my driver to switch dimper lights ON while approaching me.

I prefer walking up or down the stairs with handrails. In strange and unfamiliar places, I need someone’s assistance. I hesitate to go out in full glare of sunlight; objects are more clear in dim light.

Household living tips

I prefer to eat food on a dark plate and use coloured toothpaste. If a coloured toothpaste is not available, I apply the toothpaste directly in my mouth instead of applying it on the toothbrush.

For identifying front and backside of clothing, I usually search for the branding tags around neck area or ribbons. The tag is always on the back inner side.

For objects at a distance, a telescope is helpful, but it's heavier than normal eyeglasses.

I have a large screen TV and prefer to sit as close as possible near the TV to watch.

Doing things I love

Until now, I have changed my lifestyle on my own according to my low vision conditions. I am still feeling like there are too many hurdles in the way of performing various tasks which I love to do.

Things I am passionate about are:

• Researching; I'm thinking about getting enrolled in a PhD program, but my vision problems are getting in the way because I cannot read hard copies and research articles in PDF (my screen reader doesn’t support PDFs).
• I have a love for traveling but can't drive myself.
• I am passionate about cooking. Surfaces are less visible and I fear accidentally touching a hot surface.

A few more barriers I have in life are:

• I am unable to identify and remember new faces after meeting new people. I recognise people with their general appearance and their voice and vocal accent
• I hesitate to travel using public transport because it is less accessible for people with disabilities.