Sensory Impairment

Question 1

Define visual acuity.

Answer 1

The ability of the eye to see detail.

Question 2

How is visual acuity measured and classified?

Answer 2

• Each eye is tested separately using a Snellen chart.
• The eyes are tested at 6m.
• If the top letter is not visible at 6m, then test progressively closer.
• Visual acuity is then classified as normal, visually impaired, severely visually impaired or blind.

Question 3

How are the subclasses of blindness classified?

Answer 3

• Using a semiquantitative scale:

1 - Counting fingers.

2 - Hand movements.

3 - Perception of light.

4 - No perception of light.

Question 4

When should the pinhole test be used?

Answer 4

When visual acuity is measured to be lower than 6/9.

Question 5

Who must make a recommendation for blind and partial sight registration?

Answer 5

An opthamologist.

Question 6

What is the WHO definition for blindness?

Answer 6

A blind person sees at < 3 meters what a person with normal vision would see at 60 metres according to the Snellen chart.

Question 7

What is the WHO definition for sight impaired?

Answer 7

A sight impaired person sees at 6-3 meters what a person with normal vision would see at 60 metres according to the Snellen chart.

Question 8

Which form formally certifies someone as visually impaired?

Answer 8

A certificate of vision impairment (CVI).

Question 9

List 6 causes of sight loss.

Answer 9

1 - Uncorrected refractive error.

2 - Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

3 - Cataract.

4 - Glaucoma.

5 - Diabetic eye disease.

6 - Retinitis pigmentosa.

Question 10

How many people in the UK are living with sight loss?

How many of these are registered blind or sight impaired?

Answer 10

• 2 million.

- 300,000 are blind or sight impaired.

Question 11

What proportion of sight loss is preventable?

Answer 11

50%.

Question 12

What is the cost of eye health and sight loss on the UK per year?

Answer 12

£28 billion.

Question 13

List 4 contributors to the cost of eye health and sight loss.

Answer 13

1 - Direct health care costs such as examinations, prescriptions and operations.

2 - Unpaid carer costs.

3 - Reduced employment rates.

4 - Associated reduction in wellbeing.

Question 14

Which ethnic backgrounds are most strongly associated with glaucoma?

Answer 14

• Black African.

- Caribbean.

Question 15

List the 3 ethnic backgrounds that are most strongly associated with diabetic eye disease.

Answer 15

• Black African.
• Caribbean.
• South Asian.

Question 16

List 5 impacts of blindness on lifestyle.

Answer 16

1 - Reliance on support.

2 - Financial struggles.

3 - Reduced ability to travel.

4 - Isolation.

5 - Limited choice for spending free time.

Question 17

What is the primary cause of visual impairment and blindness worldwide?

Answer 17

Uncorrected refractive error.

Question 18

What proportion of visual impairment is either avoidable or curable?

Answer 18

80%.

Question 19

List 2 risk factors for visual impairment.

Answer 19

1 - Old age.

2 - Being female.

Question 20

What is trachoma?

Answer 20

• An eye disease caused by infection with Chlamydia trachomatis.
• The leading cause of infectious blindness.

Question 21

List 7 sources of help for visually impaired people.

Answer 21

1 - Government benefits.

2 - Eye clinic liaison officer.

3 - Social workers.

4 - Mobility officers.

5 - Rehabilitation workers.

6 - Voluntary organisations such as the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

7 - Guide dogs.

Question 22

What is the role of an eye clinic liaison officer?

Answer 22

To provide people that have recently been diagnosed with an eye condition with the practical and emotional support which they need to:

1 - Understand their diagnosis.

2 - Deal with their sight loss.

3 - Maintain their independence.

Question 23

List 5 benefits of registering as visually impaired.

Answer 23

1 - Government benefits such as the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

2 - A reduction in the TV licence fee.

3 - A tax allowance.

4 - Reduced fees on public transport.

5 - Parking concessions.

Question 24

List 4 roles of guide dogs.

Answer 24

1 - To keep to the centre of the pavement.

2 - To stop at kerbs and wait for a directional command.

3 - To judge height and width.

4 - Dealing with traffic.

Question 25

List 5 websites that can be used as a source of information for blindness.

Answer 25

1 - RNIB website.

2 - Guide dogs for the blind (GDBA) website.

3 - Birmingham focus website.

4 - Vision 2020 website.

5 - Action for blind people website.

Question 26

What is the objective of the vision 2020 movement?

Answer 26

To eliminate avoidable blindness by 2020.