Low Vision and Visual Rehabilitation

Question 1

What are the causes of visual impairment in children?

Answer 1

5% of LVA patients are under 16 years old Congenital cataractsOptic atrophy AlbinismBuphthalmos MyopiaRetinopathy of prematurity

Question 2

What are causes of visual impairment in adults?

Answer 2

25% of LVA are in employable age group Diabetic retinopathy Myopia Uveitis Corneal dystrophies Macular degenerations Retinitis pimentosa

Question 3

What are the cause of visual impairment in elderly adults?

Answer 3

70% LVA in retired group Age related macula degeneration (dry/wet) Glaucoma Inoperable cataract Diabetic retinopathy and maculopathies

Question 4

What are the principles of vision assessment?

Answer 4

Diagnose patients condition and prognosis Identify patients practical needs/assessRecord distance unaided visionRetinoscopy Subjective refraction Near vision assessment Unit magnification assessment

Question 5

What tests are used to assess patients vision and look for refractive errors?

Answer 5

Unit magnification Retinoscopy Snellen and LogMAR charts

Question 6

Describe a paediatric LV report

Answer 6

Children have higher amplitudes of accommodation than adults Aphakic patients (lens removed) require reading prescriptions may have special education needsreport to local council education department support teachers in schools/key workers

Question 7

What low vision devices can be given to children?

Answer 7

Bar magnifier Dome bright magnifier bifocal specs for reading distance binoculars/monoculars

Question 8

What low vision devices can be given to adults?

Answer 8

hand magnifiers stand magnifiershigh reading aids - strong glassesbinolculars/monoculars CCTVcompact devicessoftware for PC voice activated devices screen/scanner readers braille keyboards

Question 9

What should a GOS referral include?

Answer 9

OPTOMETRIST - patients details - sight test details and acuities - disc appearance, IOPS and visual fields - points of interestGP- relevant clinical and social history BP, urinalysis, prov diagnosis

Question 10

What is the definition of visual impairment?

Answer 10

substantially and permanently handicapped by defective vision caused through congenital defect, illness or injuryprev called partially sighted

Question 11

What is the definition of severe visual impairment?

Answer 11

a person who is so blind that they are unable to perform work for which sight is essential prev called blind

Question 12

What is a LVI?

Answer 12

letter of visual impairment - used by optometrists - allows pt to seek help from council

Question 13

What is a RVI

Answer 13

referral of visual impairment- used by non-opthalmic staff- allows pts to access services within registering as blind or sight impaired

Question 14

What is a CVI

Answer 14

certificate of visual impairment- certificate of a person as sight impaired or severely sight impaired (blind) - consists of 3 parts- give advice to pts - voluntary registration

Question 15

What are the main advantages of soft contact lenses?

Answer 15

Flexible Good initial comfort Larger diameter incurs secure fitSafer for sportsMay be used for extended wear

Question 16

What are the main advantages of rigid gas permeable lenses?

Answer 16

Fixed shape and durable Good for all day wearSmaller diameter incurs less risk of hypoxiaCreates smoother ocular surfaceVisual result for irregular corneas and high astigmatism Easy to cleanGood VA if large levels of astigmatism

Question 17

What are the main disadvantages of soft contact lenses?

Answer 17

Splits easily Depositions from tearMore expensiveDehydrates if left out of the solution