Sensory Impairment Flashcards
Define visual acuity.
The ability of the eye to see detail.
How is visual acuity measured and classified?
- Each eye is tested separately using a Snellen chart.
- The eyes are tested at 6m.
- If the top letter is not visible at 6m, then test progressively closer.
- Visual acuity is then classified as normal, visually impaired, severely visually impaired or blind.
How are the subclasses of blindness classified?
- Using a semiquantitative scale:
1 - Counting fingers.
2 - Hand movements.
3 - Perception of light.
4 - No perception of light.
When should the pinhole test be used?
When visual acuity is measured to be lower than 6/9.
Who must make a recommendation for blind and partial sight registration?
An opthamologist.
What is the WHO definition for blindness?
A blind person sees at < 3 meters what a person with normal vision would see at 60 metres according to the Snellen chart.
What is the WHO definition for sight impaired?
A sight impaired person sees at 6-3 meters what a person with normal vision would see at 60 metres according to the Snellen chart.
Which form formally certifies someone as visually impaired?
A certificate of vision impairment (CVI).
List 6 causes of sight loss.
1 - Uncorrected refractive error.
2 - Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
3 - Cataract.
4 - Glaucoma.
5 - Diabetic eye disease.
6 - Retinitis pigmentosa.
How many people in the UK are living with sight loss?
How many of these are registered blind or sight impaired?
- 2 million.
- 300,000 are blind or sight impaired.
What proportion of sight loss is preventable?
50%.
What is the cost of eye health and sight loss on the UK per year?
£28 billion.
List 4 contributors to the cost of eye health and sight loss.
1 - Direct health care costs such as examinations, prescriptions and operations.
2 - Unpaid carer costs.
3 - Reduced employment rates.
4 - Associated reduction in wellbeing.
Which ethnic backgrounds are most strongly associated with glaucoma?
- Black African.
- Caribbean.
List the 3 ethnic backgrounds that are most strongly associated with diabetic eye disease.
- Black African.
- Caribbean.
- South Asian.
List 5 impacts of blindness on lifestyle.
1 - Reliance on support.
2 - Financial struggles.
3 - Reduced ability to travel.
4 - Isolation.
5 - Limited choice for spending free time.
What is the primary cause of visual impairment and blindness worldwide?
Uncorrected refractive error.
What proportion of visual impairment is either avoidable or curable?
80%.
List 2 risk factors for visual impairment.
1 - Old age.
2 - Being female.
What is trachoma?
- An eye disease caused by infection with Chlamydia trachomatis.
- The leading cause of infectious blindness.
List 7 sources of help for visually impaired people.
1 - Government benefits.
2 - Eye clinic liaison officer.
3 - Social workers.
4 - Mobility officers.
5 - Rehabilitation workers.
6 - Voluntary organisations such as the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
7 - Guide dogs.
What is the role of an eye clinic liaison officer?
To provide people that have recently been diagnosed with an eye condition with the practical and emotional support which they need to:
1 - Understand their diagnosis.
2 - Deal with their sight loss.
3 - Maintain their independence.
List 5 benefits of registering as visually impaired.
1 - Government benefits such as the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
2 - A reduction in the TV licence fee.
3 - A tax allowance.
4 - Reduced fees on public transport.
5 - Parking concessions.
List 4 roles of guide dogs.
1 - To keep to the centre of the pavement.
2 - To stop at kerbs and wait for a directional command.
3 - To judge height and width.
4 - Dealing with traffic.
List 5 websites that can be used as a source of information for blindness.
1 - RNIB website.
2 - Guide dogs for the blind (GDBA) website.
3 - Birmingham focus website.
4 - Vision 2020 website.
5 - Action for blind people website.
What is the objective of the vision 2020 movement?
To eliminate avoidable blindness by 2020.
