About 12 million Americans ages 40 and older have trouble seeing. When vision can’t be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, medications, or surgery, it’s often referred to as low vision. At that point, it can get really hard to do everyday tasks.

But even before you hit 20/70 vision — which is the point at which a person is considered to have low vision — it can be all too easy to pull back from your familiar routines. You might avoid reading books or looking at your social media accounts, for example. You might also start to limit your social calendar or avoid favorite pastimes.

But no matter what your eyeglasses prescription is, you should be able to do the activities you love. You may just need to get a little creative.

“I think there’s almost always a workaround: a vision aid, tool, tip, or resource that can help you do what you want to do,” says Julie Martin Blake, O.D. She’s an optometrist at America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses in Greater Birmingham, Alabama. “All you need is the motivation to find and try them.”

These tips from Dr. Blake are a great place to begin.

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1. Get Up to Date on Eye Exams

When’s the last time you had an eye exam? If you’re not sure — or it’s been a year or more — schedule one ASAP.

Your eyes are connected to the rest of your body through blood vessels and nerves. Some conditions such as diabetes or heart disease can lead to vision problems if left unchecked. Your eye doctor can spot any signs of potential issues at your annual eye exam.

With most health issues, the sooner you start treatment, the better the outcome. That’s true for low vision too. Just be sure to get your eye doctor’s okay and advice before increasing your activity level.

Get all the tests and checks your other health care providers recommend, too. Let both your eye doctor and other members of your health care team know if you struggle to follow your treatment plan (say, for example, you can’t open pill bottles, or you can’t see well enough to cook healthy meals).

They can adjust your plan or offer tips to make it doable. Eating right, getting enough sleep, and taking care of your health are key to finding the energy to be more active.

2. Ask About a Specialist

Annual eye exams are even more important as vision starts to fade — even if there’s nothing more that can be done to correct your vision. That’s because your optometrist can help you preserve and maximize your remaining eyesight.

Some optometrists are also certified low-vision specialists. (Your optometrist can also refer you to one.) They offer care beyond prescribing contacts or glasses, and they have the inside scoop on the tools, treatments, and resources made just for people like you.

Whenever you see a new doctor:

• Share your full medical history — don’t hold anything back. Vision problems and health problems often overlap.
• Tell them what you love to do or what you aren’t doing as much because of your eyesight. These can include hobbies, social activities, everyday tasks, and healthy habits such as eating well and exercising.
• Share all the barriers that keep you from engaging with life. You may need transportation, motivation, and information on developing healthier habits. A low-vision specialist can help you find resources for all of these, along with helping manage your eyesight.

3. Find an Activity Buddy

“One of the first things I ask patients is, ‘Do you have any visitors? Any family or friends who can take you out and do things with you?’” Dr. Blake says. “People want to help. Reaching out to them can help you open up and feel more motivated to do things.”

The key here, she adds, is to let them know what you’re going through and how they can help. That may include acting as:

A driver. If transportation to and from an event, the gym, or anywhere else is a barrier, ask loved ones if they can give you a ride. They may be happy to see a bit more of you and catch up during the ride.

And if they can’t always make the trip with you, they may be able to help you find local organizations that arrange transportation for those with low vision. Two options with search tools:

• Ridesinsight.org, a non-profit organization with volunteer drivers in many locations nationwide.
• Living Well with Low Blindness by Prevent Blindness, a volunteer organization that works to help those living with vision loss.

A sighted guide. You hold their elbow as you both walk, whether that’s inside a mall or outside on a flat running track. This allows you to feel how their body is shifting so that you can know where to step next. A sighted guide should always ask first before taking your arm.

A verbal coach. Ask your buddy to tell you what’s coming up — a curb, a turn in the path, and so on — with lots of detail. For example, “In about three steps we’re coming to a set of five stairs going downward. The railing is on your right.”

A motivator. Just knowing someone is waiting to walk or work out with you can help inspire you to stick to your plan. Keep in mind that you’re also helping them add more activity to their day, which is good for their health too. So really, you’re helping each other.

“I had a patient with low vision whose friend got a tandem (two-seater) bicycle so they could ride together,” says Dr. Blake. “You might be surprised at how much people want to help.”

4. Seek Some Sunshine

Dr. Blake’s top advice for increasing activity is to get outside on nice days. “The brighter the sunlight, the better people with low vision can see,” she says. “The ultraviolet light boosts your mood, and the vitamin D helps your immune system.”

Before you head outside, you’ll want to make sure you have the right:

• Location. If you’re alone, stay in a safe space such as a fenced yard or familiar park. If you’re going for a walk, find a flat, well-maintained walking path. High school or college running tracks may be open to the public after school hours. You can ask your better-sighted workout buddy to scout locations and accompany you to new locations.
• Gear. Wear well-fitting walking shoes. Check the weather report and dress for success. (That may seem obvious, but if you’re used to being indoors, you may not think to bring gloves on a chilly day.)
• Eyewear. When outside, always wear sunglasses that protect against 100% of UVA and UVB rays. If you like, ask your optometrist or low-vision specialist about prescription sunglasses and other outdoor vision aids. (Don’t forget sunscreen on exposed skin. Choose SPF 30 or higher.)
• Tools. Many people resist using a white cane, but Dr. Blake recommends giving it a try. Your low-vision specialist can help you with your first attempt. Dr. Blake says that when the cane taps something, you get information right away that can help guide your next steps. “Once people try it, they realize that it’s so helpful that they don’t care what other people think,” she says.

5. Have a Plan for the Gym

When you’re ready for a more formal workout, joining a gym can help you ease into it safely. Not only do gyms offer a variety of options, but they also have people who can help you get around and motivate you to keep coming back.

Check out a few gyms until you find the best fit. Beyond friendly staff and good maintenance of equipment and facilities, ask if they offer anything special for people with low vision. Some things to address:

• Weights. Do the gym’s weight machines have stickers that are color-coded or have markings that you can feel to indicate how much weight you’re using? Are free weights labeled with large numbers or colors? If not, is there a staffer on the gym floor at all times in case you need help — or is the team willing to make some of these updates?
• Cardio machines. According to Mobility Fitness, the trend is to develop machines such as treadmills and indoor cycles that offer voice instruction via headphones and have raised buttons on the console. Until this is the norm, you can use your smartphone as a magnifier to help you see video displays more clearly. Some gyms allow you to use your membership card or other key to record what you did last. That makes it easier to set things up next time.
• Classes. Fitness instructors love to offer different ways of doing workout moves. These are called modifications. They’re used to adjust for a person’s activity level, flexibility, injuries, and more. Let your instructor know upfront that you have low vision. Ask them to provide lots of verbal cues so that you know what to do. Let them know whether you’re okay with them adjusting your body position if you’re off-kilter. It can be helpful for improving your form, but not everyone is comfortable with that.
• Swimming pool. Swimming or water aerobics classes offer a low-impact way to build strength and cardiovascular fitness. When doing laps, sight isn’t as vital. And if you’re in a class, use the tip above to get the guidance you need. Plus, there should be a lifeguard or staffer on duty to add an element of comfort and safety.
• Floor plan. “People with low vision are used to counting their steps at home,” Dr. Blake says. “You can do this at the gym too.” How many steps from the front door to the desk? Desk to locker room? Locker room to yoga class? Adapt strategies that work for you at home and you’ll feel more at home in the gym.
• Transportation. No ride? Ask your low-vision specialist about local transportation services. Often there are low-cost bus services that will deliver you door to door. Some climate-minded gyms offer perks for members who carpool, thus protecting the environment while encouraging use of their gym.

6. Weave More Activity into the Whole Day

Fitness guidelines for Americans note that standing more and sitting less is a good goal for everyone. While sitting may still feel safer, there are lots of ways to make it easier to get up and about at home. And finding devices to help you read and do seated activities (such as puzzles or food prep) also keeps your mind active.

Some tips for:

• Reading. Use a virtual assistant such as Alexa to read you a recipe or a book, or play a podcast. (There’s more than one way to hear a good story.)
• Cooking. Upgrade your kitchen. Rather than focusing on decor, find ways to make it a comfortable place for you to cook. (Prepping your own food is often healthier than restaurant or takeout fare.) That may include buying talking gadgets such as a thermometer and refrigerator. You can also add paint, nail polish, or stickers to color-code measuring cups and appliance dials.
• Office work. Many workers now use a standing desk so they don’t have to sit all day. As remote employees return to their workplaces, you may find one that’s gently used for cheap or free. Or just stand at the counter to do things you often do seated. That may mean watching TV, listening to an audiobook, or reading the news.
• Tech settings. Use the dark mode setting to make the background of your device darker. That way, the white type pops. You can also adjust the type size to be as big as possible. Learn how to use the magnifying features on your phone. You can even take a picture of small type — say, on a coupon — and use the phone to zoom in.

Whatever you do, don’t wait another minute to seek help finding the resources and tools to help you live your best life.

“All too often, people let their isolation go on for months or even years because of vision loss,” Dr. Blake says. Remember, she adds, that people in health care and fitness — and your inner circle — want you to make the most out of every day.