Sensory Impairment Flashcards
What is sensory impairment
When one or more of a person’s senses are no longer normal
What do those with sensory impairment often have
low confidence
require support
What are the key care needs
communication accessing services mobility accessibility and isolation rehabilitation
What are the groups we forget
older people and learning disabled
What is the leading cause of vision impairment
uncorrected refractive errors
cataracts
How is refractive error corrected
glasses
What are the inequalities with visual impairments
prevalence of sight loss is associated with having a lower income
What ethnic groups are more at risk of some of the leading causes of sight loss
black african and caribbean - more at risk of developing glaucoma and diabetic eye
south asian - risk of diabetic eye
What are symptoms of visual impairment
severe, sudden eye pain
recurrent pain in or around the eye
hazy, blurred or double vision
seeing flashes of light or sudden bright floating spots
What are cataracts
clouding of the lens of the eye which prevents clear vision
majority related to aging process
What is age related macular degeneration (AMD)
effects older people
involves the loss of persons central field of vision
When does AMD occur
when the macular or central retina develops degenerative lesions
What is the macula
a tiny area within the retina at the back of the eye
Describe how AMD occurs
the cells of the macula are photoreceptor cells which means they’re sensitive to light and play a vital role in our ability to see details and colour
the cells become damaged and scarred
What is wet macular degeneration
causes severe sight loss in matter of months
can develop rapidly, resulting in more sudden sight loss
growth of new vessels under retina which then break and leak into the macula
causes scarring to develop within the macula cells
What is dry macular degeneration
bilateral condition
90% of cases
thought to have a hereditary element and myopia may be a predisposing factor
GRADUAL LOSS OF CENTRAL VISION
person becomes unable to recognize people bc cannot see their faces clearly
layers of the macula become progressively thinner, causing it to function less effectively
What is a glaucoma regarded as
can be regarded as a group of diseases that have a common end point
How do glaucoma occur
caused by fluid building up in front part of eye which increases pressure inside
symptoms generally aren’t noticed until there is marked visual loss
bilateral condition but affects 1 eye more than other
sight will never recover
What are the 2 most common forms of glaucoma
primary open angle glaucoma
angle closure glaucoma
What is primary open angle glaucoma
slow and insidious onset
caused by the drainage channels in the eye becoming gradually clogged over time
What is angle closure glaucoma
less common
more acute
caused by drainage of the eye becoming suddenly blocked
can raise pressure inside eye v quickly
What is diabetic retinopathy
is composed of a characteristic group of lesions found in the retina of individuals having had diabetes mellitus for several years
How does diabetic retinopathy occur
in the early stages vascular occlusion and dilations occur
it progresses into proliferative retinopathy with the growth of new blood vessels
What is the cause of diabetic retinopathy
Over time, continuously high blood sugar levels can cause the blood vessels to become blocked or to leak
This damages the retina and stops it from working usually in 3 mains stages:
What are the 3 mains stages in diabetic retinopathy
background retinopathy
pre-proliferative retinopathy
proliferative retinopathy
What are risk factors for diabetic retinopathy
duration of diabetes level of glycemia presence of high blood pressure dependence on insulin pregnancy levels of selected serum lipids nutritional genetic factors
What is hemianopia
blindness in one half of the visual fields
is a functional defect which can affect the right or left side
sight loss can be upper lower left or right
What is hemianopia caused by
this loss can be caused by a variety of medical conditions - stroke being the most common
How is visual impairment prevented
regular eye exams protect eyes from the sun protective eye wear at work know family history seek treatment quickly stop smoking eating healthy and managing obesity
What are difficulties that those with a visual impairment would experience
not being able to access printed material
difficulty accessing the internet/electronic devices
difficulty in getting to destinations and around the built environment
accessing unfamiliar buildings and environments
lack of awareness of others as to how to help
How do you maximize communication for people with visual impairment
always identify yourself even in known surroundings
always use names to identify people - especially in a group situation
keep the visually impaired person informed of people moving around and/or leaving the room
tell them what you are doing before you do it
do not use non verbal communication
provide information in alternate formats
prepare the surgery appropriately
arrange for alternative formats to be provided
take time to get the environment right
What is the functional impact of hearing impairment
ability to communicate with others
spoken language development is often delayed in children
adverse effect on the academic performance of children
increased rates of grade failure and greater need for education assistance
access to suitable accommodation is important for optimal learning experiences
What is the social and emotional impact of hearing impairment
exclusion from communication can have a significant impact on everyday life causing feels of loneliness, isolation and frustration
What are congenital causes of hearing loss
maternal rubella, syphilis or certain other infections
low birth weight
birth asphyxia
inappropriate use of particular drugs during pregnancy
severe jaundice during neonatal period
What are acquired causes of hearing loss
infectious diseases including meningitis measles and mumps
chronic ear infections
collection of fluid in the ear
medicines such as those used in tx of neonatal infections, malaria, drug resistant tuberculosis and cancers
injury to head or ear
excessive noise, including occupational noise
recreational exposure to loud sounds
aging
wax or foreign bodies blocking the ear canal
What are signs of hearing impairment
inactivity
reduced development of speech and language skills
deterioration of speech
reduced social and emotional development
irritability
autistic like behavior
confusion
What are clues to a hearing problem
unawareness of surroundings failure to respond to sound asking for sentences to be repeated speaking in an unusually loud voice change in tone withdrawing from life spending time alone
What are the types of hearing aids
behind the ear heading aid
in the ear hearing aid
in the canal hearing aid
completely in the canal hearing aid
How do you maximize communication with someone who has a hearing impairment
ask if they want to use a loop system
try to establish preferred communication
can book BSL interpreters
face the person, don’t turn away
use clear speech with normal lip pattern
use finger spelling
speak at ear level
repeat, rephrase
write things down
ensure there is no echo
ask people to repeat important info back to u
make sure hearing aids switched on
reduce background noise
allow extra time
prepare an appropriante room
book the necessary communication support
Describe the first stage in diabetic retinopathy (background retinopathy)
tiny bulges develop in blood vessels which may bleed slightly but this doesn’t affect vision
Describe the second stage of diabetic retinopathy (pre-proliferative retinopathy)
more severe and widespread changes affect the blood vessels, including more significant bleeding into the eye
Describe the third stage of diabetic retinopathy (proliferative retinopathy)
scar tissue and new blood vessels, which are week and bleed easily, develop on the retina and this can result in some loss of vision
