Low Vision Flashcards
What is low vision?
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
Common causes of low vision
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 (shape of objects appears distorted)
- Central scotomas (blind spot in center of eye)
Interventions
- Vitamins
- Medications
- Laser therapy
- Experimental
- Stem cells
Glaucoma
a disease that damages your eye’s optic nerve. It usually happens when fluid builds up and increases pressure inside the eye.
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
Cataracts
Due to:
- Aging, cigarette smoking, systemic diseases,
- Sun exposure, some drugs
Opacification of the lens of the eye
Interventions:
- Medication
- Surgery
Retinal detachment
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
Corneal abrasion
“scratched lens, retina, eyeball”
Very very painful
Strabismus
“lazy eye” (ambloypia)
Genetics, brain injury
May or may not have double vision
Conjunctivitis
“Pinkeye”, irritants, colds, allergy
Can be contagious
Blepharitis
Ulceration of edges of eye
Hyperopia
farsighted
Presbyopia
Basically farsighted
Focus due to age
Myopia
Nearsighted
Light rays focus in front of the retina
Astigmatism
Problem with a curvature of the lens, several problems
Light rays focus on more than one point (unequal refraction of light in different meridians)
Nystagmus
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
Impact to occupational performance
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
