Understanding fatigue and sight loss
Fatigue is a common, and often overlooked, experience for many blind and partially sighted people. It’s more than just tiredness after a long day; it can feel overwhelming, persistent, and hard to recover from. Fatigue can affect every part of life, from emotional wellbeing to memory, work, and relationships, and it’s often caused or intensified by the extra effort required to complete everyday tasks with reduced vision.
Why is fatigue so common for people with sight loss?
Living with sight loss often means working harder to do the same things others may take for granted. Whether it’s navigating busy streets, reading text, recognising faces, or using technology, these tasks can demand a high level of mental and physical effort. This constant concentration leads to what’s known as increased cognitive load and over time, it can be exhausting.
Other factors can contribute too, including:
- Light sensitivity, which can cause discomfort, eye strain, or headaches
- Emotional stress, particularly around changes to independence or feeling less confident when socialising
- Sleep disruptions, which can be more common in people with sight loss due to changes in light perception
- Underlying health conditions or the severity of vision loss itself
Together, these factors can leave you feeling physically drained, mentally foggy, or emotionally low.
What does fatigue feel like?
Fatigue isn’t just being tired. It can mean waking up already exhausted, struggling to find motivation for things you usually enjoy, or feeling the need to cancel plans and avoid socialising. Everyday tasks like cooking, travelling, or working may feel overwhelming, and it can become difficult to concentrate or remember things.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone and there are steps you can take to help manage it.”
Managing fatigue: practical tips
Use tools and adaptations. Finding practical ways to reduce the effort of daily life can really help manage fatigue. This might mean using a magnifier or screen reader, setting up better lighting, switching to audio books instead of print, or labelling items with tactile markers to make them easier to find. Adapting how you do things, and using tools that work for you, can cut down on stress and strain, saving precious energy throughout the day.
Accept where you are. One of the hardest but most helpful steps is recognising that fatigue is real and not something you can simply “push through.” Allow yourself space to rest, even when it feels frustrating or inconvenient. Accepting your limits can help you manage your energy more effectively.
Plan and pace. Think about your week and try to spread out energy-draining activities. Avoid doing too many things in one day. Even simple tasks, like taking a shower or making lunch, might leave you needing a short break. Give yourself extra time and plan ahead so you can rest when needed. You might find it helpful to keep a rough diary of what tires you out and what helps you recharge.
Find what recharges you. Sleep isn’t always enough. Rest looks different for everyone, some relax in silence, others with music or a favourite podcast. Activities that once helped you recharge might not have the same effect after sight loss, so explore new options. Try a walk in nature, gentle movement like chair-based exercise, audiobooks, or simply sitting somewhere peaceful.
Seek support. You don’t have to deal with fatigue alone. Your GP can help rule out any underlying causes and suggest treatment options. You may also find it helpful to speak to your local Sight Loss Advisor, who can offer advice on daily living, helpful equipment, and local services. Connecting with others who understand can make a big difference – our in-person and online social groups are a great place to start.
You may also be interested in our article The Emotional Impact of Sight Loss, which looks at the emotional side of adjusting to sight changes.