Visual Impairment (VI)/ Blindness
Visual Impairment (VI) is an umbrella term used to describe the consequences of an eye condition or disorder. A VI occurs when a portion of the eye does not work properly which affects the communication that occurs with the brain. Learning the eye anatomy will help better explain each VI. The following website is a great source to use:
National Eye Institute
The most common VI is either near-sightedness or far-sightedness; however, there are more less familiar impairments that can occur. They include:
Strabismus
- When the eyes look in different directions or do not focus simultaneously
Congenital Cataracts
- Cloudy lens
Retinopathy of Prematurity
- Occurs in premature babies
- Light-sensitive retina has not developed sufficiently
Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Rare, inherited disease
- Slowly destroys the retina
Coloboma
- A portion of the eye structure is missing
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
- Caused by underdeveloped fibers in the optic nerve
- Affects depth perception, sensitivity to light, and visual acuity
Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)
- Caused by damage to the visual cortex of the brain
- Eye anatomy not affected
The degree of VI can range from mild to severe, including Blindness. The degree of impairment depends on:
The following document is a fact sheet on VI/Blindness provided by the TWU APE/A department:
National Eye Institute
The most common VI is either near-sightedness or far-sightedness; however, there are more less familiar impairments that can occur. They include:
Strabismus
- When the eyes look in different directions or do not focus simultaneously
Congenital Cataracts
- Cloudy lens
Retinopathy of Prematurity
- Occurs in premature babies
- Light-sensitive retina has not developed sufficiently
Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Rare, inherited disease
- Slowly destroys the retina
Coloboma
- A portion of the eye structure is missing
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
- Caused by underdeveloped fibers in the optic nerve
- Affects depth perception, sensitivity to light, and visual acuity
Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)
- Caused by damage to the visual cortex of the brain
- Eye anatomy not affected
The degree of VI can range from mild to severe, including Blindness. The degree of impairment depends on:
- The eye condition
- What aspect of the eye function is affected
- How much correction is needed and possible
The following document is a fact sheet on VI/Blindness provided by the TWU APE/A department:
vi_blindness.pdf | |
File Size: | 85 kb |
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