Visual Impairment Flashcards
Facts on macular degeneration
Most common eye condition in the UK
Macular disease- Collective term used for several conditions causing damage to the retina
Macular- Central part of the retina used for detailed work
Treatment:
-No cure
-Can be slowed or halted in some cases with medical treatment
Facts on Retinitis pigmentosa
Disease of the retina which leads to reduction in vision
Night and peripheral vision are first to be affected, followed by difficulties reading and colour vision
Facts on Glaucoma
Condition affecting the optic nerve
40% of the optic nerve can be damaged before vision loss is noticed
Irreversible
Facts on Diabetic retinopathy
Most common cause of blindness in adults >65 yrs
Blood vessels supplying the retina are damaged
Can be treated by laser to stop progression but is irreversible
Facts on Charles Bonnet syndrome
New fantasy pictures or old pictures stored in the brain are released and experienced as though they were seen
Affects people with serious sight loss e.g. age related macular degeneration, retinal disorders with loss of vision
Some random facts to know
- How many people in the UK are living with sight loss?
2 million - How many are registered as blind or partially sighted?
360,000
By 2050 it is predicted the number of people with sight loss will rise to:
4million - NHS expenditure on eye health costs per year is:
>£2billion - What percentage of sight loss is preventable?
>50% - Adults with learning disabilities are 10X more likely to be blind or partially sighted than the general population
- What percentage of books is available in large print/braille/audio to those with sight loss?
7% - Does smoking affect eyesight and/or sight loss?
Yes - Is the highest proportion of those with sight loss male of female?
2/3 are women
Which eye conditions are the main causes of sight loss in the UK?
Age related macular degeneration Cataract Glaucoma Diabetes Refractive error
List 3 factors that contribute to maintaining good eye health.
Regular eye checks by optician/optometrist Exercise Not smoking Maintaining good weight/BMI Eating vegetables/oily fish/healthy diet Wearing sunglasses
How often should you have your eyes tested?
At least every 2 years
Every year if a condition is diagnosed or if elderly