Low Vision

Question 1

What is low vision?

Answer 1

Impaired vision that cannot be correct by glasses, surgery or medication
CLVT-Certified Low Vision Therapist
Low vision vs Blindness
- Blind - no vision and no light
- Legally blind 20/200 or less with correction

Question 2

Common causes of low vision

Answer 2

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
- Loss of Central Vision
* Leading cause in people over 50
- Caused by aging, genetics and environment (smoking, diabetes, high BP, vitamin deficiency)
- Dry (atrophic)
* Atrophy of retinal epithelium
- Wet (neovascular/exudative)
* Ingrowth of new blood vessels, leaking of fluid into the subretinal space
- Metamorphopsia
- Central scotomas

Interventions
- Vitamins
- Medications
- Laser therapy
- Experimental
- Stem cells

Question 3

Glaucoma

Answer 3

Gradual and progressive loss of retinal cells
Caused by increased ocular pressure (IOP)
Angle closure
- Obstruction of the flow of aqueous humor
Open angle
- Damage to the retina due to pressure increases
Neovascular
- Resulting damage due to
* Diabetes
* Tumors
* Other diseases
Damage is irreversible
- Due to:
* Trauma
* Congenital
* Genetics, aging and lifestyle

Question 4

Cataracts

Answer 4

Due to:
- Aging, cigarette smoking, systemic diseases,
- Sun exposure, some drugs
Opacification of the lens of the eye
Interventions:
- Medication
- Surgery

Question 5

Retinal detachment

Answer 5

Separation of the retina from the choroid layer
Partial or complete
Usually an injury
- Diabetes
- Elderly - can be spontaneous (family history)
Cobwebs, floating spots, flashes of light, shading
Painless
Medical emergency
If the retina is pulled loose the result will be hemorrhaging in the eye, spots in ones vision, or complete loss of vision. Can also cause flashes of light

Question 6

Corneal abrasion

Answer 6

“scratched lens, retina, eyeball”
Very very painful

Question 7

Strabismus

Answer 7

“lazy eye” (ambloypia)
Genetics, brain injury
May or may not have double vision

Question 8

Conjunctivitis

Answer 8

“Pinkeye”, irritants, colds, allergy
Can be contagious

Question 9

Blepharitis

Answer 9

Ulceration of edges of eye

Question 10

Hyperopia

Answer 10

farsighted

Question 11

Presbyopia

Answer 11

Basically farsighted
Focus due to age

Question 12

Myopia

Answer 12

Nearsighted
Light rays focus in front of the retina

Question 13

Astigmatism

Answer 13

Problem with a curvature of the lens, several problems
Light rays focus on more than one point (unequal refraction of light in different meridians)

Question 14

Nystagmus

Answer 14

Horizontal or vertical
Congenital or acquired
Meniere’s Disease, Head Injury, Tumor,
Idiopathic, drugs
- Post-rotary is normal
May or may not blur vision
Also the result of the Caloric Test

Impact to OT
- Medication review
- Impact to balance or gait

Question 15

Impact to occupational performance

Answer 15

Depends on stage of progression
- Early prep vs quick onset
Functional outcome measure of some sort
- VFS - Visual function questionnaire

Impact on:
ADLs
IADLs
Education
Work
Play and Leisure
Social