Older Adults

Question 1

Describe visual impairment caused by age-related macular degeneration

Answer 1

Impaired ability to see fine detail, blank spots appear in central vision.
Scotomas can be relative where increased light can help or dense where light does not improve vision.

Question 2

What is matamorphopsia?

Answer 2

the spinning and swirling of images

Question 3

What is Charles Bonnet syndrome?

Answer 3

• also known as “phantom vision”

- visual hallucinations that the individual knows are not real

Question 4

Describe the visual impairment caused by diabetic retinopathy

Answer 4

• affects central and peripheral vision causing blurry or hazy vision in affected areas
• caused by damage to blood vessels at the retina

Question 5

Describe the visual impairment caused by glaucoma

Answer 5

• damage to the optic nerve from increased pressure
• loss of peripheral vision and gradually moves toward center “tunnel vision”
• difficulty scanning, decreased acuity, contrast sensitivity, light sensitivity, and glare sensitivity

Question 6

Describe the visual impairment caused by cataracts

Answer 6

• opacity of lens occurs due to protein changes or hardening/thickening of lens
• resulting in overall hazy and blurry vision mostly in central vision, diminished acuity, gradual loss in vision
• difficulty with glaring lights, reading printed materials, decrease in contrast sensitivity
• **field of vision is not affected