visual impairment

Question 1

how many people have sight loss in the uk?

Answer 1

almost two million people - around 1 in 30

*nearly two thirds are women

Question 2

what are the main causes of blindness in adults in the UK?

Answer 2

-Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) - BY FAR leading cause
-glaucoma
-cataracts
-diabetic retinopathy
(-hereditary retinal disorders (present as child))

Question 3

what is the difference between wet and dry age-related macular degeneration?

Answer 3

dry

• more common
• cause unknown
• progresses slower than wet AMD
• no cure
• small white/yellow droplets (drusen) form on retina causing it to deteriorate

wet

• less common
• abnormal blood vessels form under retina. they are flimsy and break and bleed > blood on retina > fibrotic scar > blocks vision (light blocked by blood) - blood can also damage the macula causing it to lift up and pull away from its base
• treatments available

*MD affects central vision, not periphery

Question 4

what is glaucoma? is it preventable?

Answer 4

build up of fluid in the eye as cannot drain properly > increase in pressure in eye and puts pressure on optic nerve > damage > loss of vision

genetic factors such as age and ethnicity and family history, diabetes, corticosteroids, eye injuries, uveitis

can be treated

Question 5

what is cataracts? is it preventable?

Answer 5

damage to lens of eye causing it to become unclear so light cannot fix onto retina. can still see light and dark

caused by diabetes, smoking, alcohol, high exposure to light, lack of vitamins/poor diet, long standing eye conditions, taking medication such as corticosteroids

can be treated w surgery

Question 6

name the three most common refractive errors.

Answer 6

myopia = short sightedness (concave lenses needed)
hypermetropia = long sightedness (convex)
astigmatism

Question 7

how can refractive errors/sight loss from refractive errors be prevented?

Answer 7

regular eye checks and prescription of glasses if required.

Question 8

what percentage of all visual impairment can be avoided or cured?

Answer 8

80%

Question 9

what can be done to prevent blindness?

Answer 9

• national programmes to prevent and control visual impairment
• eye care services integration into primary and secondary healthcare systems
• campaigns to raise awareness e.g. in schools

Question 10

what are the classes of lower visual acuity? (4)

Answer 10

• counting fingers (CF)
• hand movements (HM)
• perception of light (PL)
• no perception of light (NPL = stone blind)

*remember blindness does not necessarily mean being able to see nothing at all

Question 11

what does a normal visual acuity of 6/6 mean?

Answer 11

can read letters on chart at font 6 (not microsoft word) at a distance of 6m away

Question 12

what is trachoma?

Answer 12

eye disease caused by infection with Chlamydia trachomatis

*leading cause of infectious blindness globally

Question 13

what help is available for blind people?

Answer 13

• government benefits
• ECLO -eye clinic liaison officer
• social worker, mobility officer, technical officer, rehabilitation worker
• voluntary organisations e.g. RNIB, guide dogs for the blind
• low vision aids e.g. magnifiers