When someone is told—often by a doctor—that they are losing their vision and may even go blind, it can feel shocking. Or maybe vision loss happens gradually or suddenly, and either way, it can feel terrifying or devastating. Losing vision exists on a spectrum, and it’s natural to experience a wide range of emotions. These feelings may relate not only to the person themselves but also to their friends, family, and colleagues. They can touch on the practical changes ahead, like becoming more dependent on others. But beyond that, these emotions reach deep into how the person thinks about their vision loss and how they truly feel.
Grief is a normal human reaction—a complex, multi-dimensional response to loss. It includes emotional, social, behavioral, spiritual, and physical aspects (Rando, 1984). Bereavement refers to the time period of grief and mourning after a loss, while grief is the emotional reaction to that loss (Schoo et al., 2024). The grieving process can happen with many types of losses.
Here are the five stages of grief that often follow the awareness of vision loss:
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Acceptance
It’s important to note that not everyone moves through all five stages, and they don’t always happen in a straight line (Schoo et al., 2024).
Experiencing denial alongside vision loss can involve shock, disbelief, and confusion (Jewell, 2021). For instance, someone who suddenly lost their vision overnight due to a stroke might feel overwhelmed by this traumatic event and question how it could ever happen in the first place. Another example is someone who had low vision as an adolescent and experienced further loss into adulthood—they might still feel in denial about their changing eyesight.
With that, anger could look like feeling frustrated, furious, horrified, resentful, or even disturbed by having one of our five senses reduced or taken away (Jewell, 2021). While it may look different from person to person, since grief is multi-dimensional, someone experiencing vision loss in the anger stage of grief might feel frustrated adjusting to no longer being able to drive, upset about not seeing a beloved pet or loved ones, or irritated when asking for help after being used to navigating parts of life independently.
Another stage of grief is bargaining. It involves a person who is grieving trying to regain control or make sense of their loss (Jewell, 2021). This stage often includes “if only” statements or silent negotiations with a higher power or fate. For example, an individual with diabetic retinopathy might recall a time when their blood glucose levels were high and wish they could go back to better manage their diet and exercise. In bargaining, people often reflect on past actions and wish they could change them to avoid the loss or pain they’re experiencing.
Next is depression, which can highlight emotions like sadness, melancholy, despair, hopelessness, sorrow, mournfulness, and even a grim outlook (Jewell, 2021). Depression in grief is often not clinical depression, but a natural, painful slowing down—a time when the loss truly settles in. For example, someone experiencing vision loss might withdraw from social interactions, lose interest in their routines, or even decline help, even when it’s needed. Depression can feel like being lost or disoriented internally.
When we arrive at acceptance, it’s not about being “okay” with the loss or “moving on.” Instead, it’s about learning to live with the reality of the loss and gradually finding a way to carry it without feeling overwhelmed (Williams, 2015). We’re choosing to set some things aside so we can care for what matters most right now, and we can adjust again when needed (Jewell, 2021). For now, we offer ourselves compassion as we re-prioritize—making space for growth, healing, and connection in a life that has changed.
Losing vision—whether suddenly or over time—is a deeply personal experience that can bring up a wide range of emotions. Grief is a natural and human response to this kind of loss, and it may touch every part of a person’s life, from daily routines to their sense of self. While the five stages of grief offer a helpful framework, everyone grieves in their own way, and not everyone will experience every stage, or in a particular order (Williams, 2015). What’s important to remember is that all feelings are valid. There is no “right” way to grieve. In time, with compassion and support, it is possible to find new ways of living, connecting, and growing within a life that has changed.
To support you through this journey, it can be helpful to connect with resources such as vision rehabilitation services, counseling, and peer support groups. Creating a personalized action plan with a trusted professional can provide guidance, practical tools, and compassionate support as you adapt to these changes.
References
Jewell, C. (2021). Coping with loss workbook [PDF]. Mind ReMake Project. Retrieved August 8,
2025, from https://mindremakeproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/COPING-WITH-LOSS-Final.pdf
Rando, T. A. (1984). Grief, dying, and death: Clinical interventions for caregivers. Research
Press.
Schoo, C., Azhar, Y., Mughal, S., & Rout, P. (2025, April 12). Grief and prolonged grief
disorder. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved August 8, 2025, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507832/
Williams, L. (2015). 64 myths about grief that just need to STOP. What’s Your Grief? Retrieved
July 14, 2021 from https://whatsyourgrief.com/64-myths-about-grief-that-just-need-to-stop/
