VISUAL IMPAIRMENT / VISION IMPAIRMENT

Visual impairment or vision impairment is a decreased ability to see to a degree that causes problems not fixable by usual means, such as glasses.

Total blindness is the inability to tell light from dark or the total inability to see.

In some cases, we also include those who have a decreased ability to see because they do not have access to glasses or contact lenses.

CAUSES OF VISUAL / VISION IMPAIRMENT AND BLINDNESS

-          Injury to the eyes – could happen due to an accident, while playing or at work. Injuries to the cornea are the most common cause of loss of vision.

-       Inherited blindness – Retinitis pigmentosa is the common cause of inherited blindness.

-    Eye infections – trachoma of the eyes may damage eyesight – common in developing and underdeveloped countries with poor water and sanitation facilities. If a pregnant mother has German measles during pregnancy the baby may be born with visual impairment or blindness.

-       Amblyopia – is impaired vision in one eye due to lack of usage in early childhood. ‘Lazy eye’ or squint in the eye can cause weakness in the eyes leading to amblyopia in that eye.

-       Cataract - is the clouding of part of or the entire lens of the eye. This condition usually affects the elderly and its symptoms include blurred vision, double vision, etc.

       Diabetic retinopathy – Diabetes affects the blood vessels in the retina which leads to visual impairment.

          Glaucoma – increased pressure in the eyes impairs vision by damaging the optic nerve. One could be born with this condition or may develop it at an older age.

-      Age relate macular degeneration (AMD) – progressive loss of the visual acuity due to damage to the macula (the more sensitive part of the retina). Risk of AMD rises in those exposed to excess sunlight and those who smoke excessively.

-     AIDS related visual impairment – caused by viral infections of the eyes (Cytomegalovirus or CMV retinitis)  

    

      Cancer of the eyes – Retinoblastoma is the most common eye cancer in children. Annually there are 300 to 400 new cases diagnosed.

TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

Firstly, certain conditions should be looked into for treatment and management

• The degree of impairment, disability, or handicap
• Cause of visual impairment and possible outcome
• Age of the patient and level of development
• General health of the patient
• Patient’s other impairment and adjustment to the vision loss and patient’s expectations from therapy

IF THESE CONDITIONS ARE MET THEN:

-          Control of diabetes – Prevents progression of diabetic retinopathy and slows visual impairment to some extent.

-          Cataract surgery – an artificial lens can be placed within the eye as replacement for the damaged / clouded lens through a cataract operation and vision can be restored.

-          Magnification systems – using an appropriate lens vision can be improved.

-          Glaucoma medication – eye drops / eye injections can be used to control glaucoma. In some cases, laser corrections or open microscopic surgery may help improve vision.

-          AMD – of the dry variety has no cure yet, however the wet variety can use therapies that help stop progression of blindness. Photodynamic therapy can also be used. 

There is a need to encourage more Braille Schools as well as libraries. Technology can make this easy and accessible to all through various apps. Audiobooks are also an advantage and allow for more opportunities. 

Donating your eyes to enable the blind to see is a humane gift you can make once you leave this world.

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It is important to be sensitive and deal with people with any form of disability in an inclusive manner.