Health Library

The Health Library is a collection of health and wellness resources created for learning and accessibility. Select a topic below for related health information or search for a topic in the search bar for more information on other medical conditions.

Optical Devices

  • Contact lenses are small plastic or silicone discs shaped to correct refractive errors. After your doctor tests your vision, he or she will write a prescription for the lens you need. Your prescription may change over time. Contacts are placed directly on the eye, where they float on a film of tears in front of the...

  • Several different types of contact lenses are available to treat vision problems. Consult an eye doctor who is willing to work with you to select the best type of lens for your needs and lifestyle. Hard contact lenses Most hard (rigid) lenses are made of gas-permeable materials that allow oxygen to reach...

  • Prescriptions for glasses have two main components: shape and power. The shape of a lens determines the type of correction. Concave, or minus, spherical lenses are thicker at the sides than in the middle to correct nearsightedness (myopia). Convex, or plus, lenses are thicker in the middle than at the...

  • Learn about vision aids that can make life easier and safer.

  • You don't see as well as you used to. Eye problems such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, cataracts, or diabetic retinopathy may be making it hard to work and manage many of your daily activities. But don't give up. There are lots of things you can do to adapt to low vision and make your life easier...

  • Vision aids can help you in many of your daily activities. Here are lists of vision aids used in different areas. Which ones might help you? Cooking Vision aids for cooking include: Large-print, ringing, or talking cooking timer. Large-print or marked control dials for stove, oven, and other kitchen appliances...

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