If you have low vision or impaired vision from conditions like nearsightedness, cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration, you know this situation comes with many challenges. These may range from moderate (needing glasses to read or drive) to profound (losing your independence or the ability to see a loved one’s face clearly). It’s no surprise, then, that more serious vision impairment is associated with high rates of depression in people of all ages.

Widely available accessibility features and special vision rehabilitation programs can help you cope with stressful challenges and learn to adapt activities to get through each day.

And even small steps — like the ones below — can make life more bearable when you have vision impairment.

Use accessibility features

Certain computer or smartphone features can be very useful. For example, you can enlarge fonts, zoom in on a photo, or have your computer or phone read you documents, calendar items, texts, or emails.

But it may take a little tech knowledge to set up those features — or at least the patience to look up steps to enable the features and work your way through them. For example, your computer may have an accessibility feature that can read aloud areas of text you highlight.

“Learning how to properly use accessibility features can be difficult. Vision rehabilitation clinics can offer programs to help you learn these skills at your own pace,” says optometrist Patrick Lee, a vision rehabilitation specialist at Mass Eye and Ear and an instructor in ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School.

Try special devices

A number of gadgets can assist with vision impairment in your daily life.

Try helpful apps

Many apps can do the same job as some of the devices we just mentioned.

Adapt your home

You may find it helpful to make changes around your house.

Rethink driving

Driving can be very difficult for people with any amount of vision impairment.

Need more help?

Vision rehab might make a difference. To find services near you, ask your eye care provider for information, or use the search tool provided by the nonprofit group Prevent Blindness.

(Heidi Godman is executive editor at Harvard Health Letter.)

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