<p>Low vision is any chronic form of vision impairment that affects activities of daily living. In this paper, we have reviewed recent advances on the impact of low vision on two essential activities of daily living: i.e., reading and mobility, and have considered their real-world impact. In relation to reading, the past decade has brought more efficient and valid assessment tools, interventions to enhance performance, as well as innovations using modern technology. With respect to mobility, research has shifted from a narrow focus on navigation and obstacle avoidance to a more integrated view encompassing visual, motor and cognitive processes, with a growing emphasis on ecological validity. Many new technologies have also been applied to electronic travel aids. Overall, low vision research addressing reading and mobility has progressed substantially. With continued advances in AI and mobile technologies, many of these developments may translate into practical benefits for people with low vision in the near future.</p>