Sensory Impairments

Question 1

What is a Sensory Impairment?

Answer 1

When one or more of a person’s senses is no longer normal
A person does not have to have full loss of a sense to be sensory impaired

Question 2

What are Cataracts?

Answer 2

Clouding of the lens of the eye which prevents clear vision
Majority related to ageing process
Leading cause of blindness

Question 3

What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?
What forms exist?

Answer 3

A loss of person’s central field of vision
Affects older people
Occurs when the macular (or central) retina develops degenerative lesions
There is a wet form (severe sight loss in a matter of months)
There is a dry form (bilateral condition, gradual loss of central vision)

Question 4

What is Glaucoma?

Answer 4

Fluid build up in the eyes, which increases pressure inside the eye
Can lead to loss of vision if not diagnosed early
Symptoms not generally noticed until there is a marked visual loss
Sight never recovers

Question 5

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Answer 5

Early stages cause vascular occlusion and dilations occur
Found in the retina of individuals having had diabetes mellitus for years
It progresses into a proliferative retinopathy with the growth of new blood vessels

Question 6

What is Hemianopia?

Answer 6

Blindness in one half of the visual field
Stroke is the most common cause