Intro to Low Vision

Question 1

what are the 3 most common causes of visual impairment

Answer 1

age related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy

Question 2

what is low vision

Answer 2

reduced visual acuity that is not correctable by specs, medicine or surgery

Question 3

does low vision affect daily living

Answer 3

yes it impacts functions in daily living, occupational and academic demands

Question 4

what are the clinical perimeters for low vision

Answer 4

best corrected VA of 20/70 to light perception and less than 20 degrees of peripheral field

Question 5

what is legal blindness

Answer 5

best corrected VA of 20/200 or worse or peripheral vision less than 20 degrees in the better eye

Question 6

what is blindness

Answer 6

no usable vision at all- no light perception

Question 7

what is visual impairment

Answer 7

functional limitation of the eye(s) or visual system

Question 8

what are some examples of visual impairments

Answer 8

reduced VA (20/70 or worse), peripheral vision loss, scotomas, diplopia, distortions, central vision loss, loss of contrast sensitivity, loss depth perception, or extreme photophobia

Question 9

what is a visual disorder

Answer 9

anatomical changes caused by diseases of the eye- doesn’t necessarily affect function

Question 10

what is a visual disability

Answer 10

limitations in a person’s skills and abilities (inability to read, write, drive, self-care, cooking)

Question 11

what is a visual handicap

Answer 11

psychosocial and economic consequences of vision loss as well as environmental barriers (loss of independence, social isolation)

Question 12

what are 3 categories of visual impairments

Answer 12

congenital, genetic, and acquired

Question 13

what are some causes of congenital visual impairments

Answer 13

Children: prenatal, perinatal and postnatal injuries or infections, premature birth, optic nerve damage, etc.

Question 14

what are some causes of genetic visual impairments

Answer 14

younger people: tumors, Stargardt disease, Retinitis pigmentosa, oculocutaneous albinism, aniridia

Question 15

what are some causes of acquired visual impairments

Answer 15

adults: hemianopias, traumatic brain injuries, macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy

Question 16

how is visual impairment different from legal blindness

Answer 16

visual impairment still has some usable vision- legal blindness does not

Question 17

what are 2 reasons to perform vision rehab

Answer 17

teach patients to use their remaining vision and/or other senses effectively by modifying activities, restore vision to state of useful vision through optical devices, training, and guidence

Question 18

what are some outcomes of vision rehab

Answer 18

maintain productive members of society, remain safe and active, increase personal independence, decrease government and family/caregiver support, and improves quality of life

Question 19

list some common providers that participate in low vision care

Answer 19

low vision optometrist/ophthalmologist, occupational therapist, orientation/mobility instructor, vision rehabilitation therapist or low vision therapist, social worker, mental health provider, vocational rehabilitation counselor, and optometric technicians/support staff

Question 20

Jeff has retinitis pigmentosa which resulted in constricted peripheral fields. He cannot travel alone & may not be able to maintain his job as a web designer
What visual impairment does he have?

Answer 20

constricted peripheral fields

Question 21

Jeff has retinitis pigmentosa which resulted in constricted peripheral fields. He cannot travel alone & may not be able to maintain his job as a web designer
What visual disability has Jeff have?

Answer 21

cannot travel alone

Question 22

Margaret has age-related macular degeneration. She has a blind spot in her central vision which affects her ability to read mail and bills in order to manage her finances. She is worried because she risks losing her apartment from unpaid rent.
What is the handicap associated with the vision loss?

Answer 22

losing her apartment (economic consequence)

Question 23

Margaret has age-related macular degeneration. She has a blind spot in her central vision which affects her ability to read mail and bills in order to manage her finances. She is worried because she risks losing her apartment from unpaid rent.
What is the visual disorder?

Answer 23

age-related macular degeneration (eye disease)

Question 24

Jerry has VA cc OD 20/150 OS LP- Peripheral field OD 150 degrees, OS 100 degrees; Is he visually impaired or legally blind

Answer 24

visually impaired not legally blind

Question 25

John’s VA cc OD 20/20, OS 20/20

Peripheral field OD 17 degrees, OS 19 degrees; Is he visually impaired or legally blind

Answer 25

legal blindness based on visual field

Question 26

Sherry’s VA cc OD 20/125, OS 20/80

Peripheral vision OD 150 degrees, OS 145 degrees; Is she visually impaired or legally blind

Answer 26

visually impaired but not legally blind