what is low vision? introduction, definition and classification of visual impairment

Question 1

what is visual impairment

Answer 1

reduced BINOCULAR visual acuity, which cannot be improved even with best optical correction provided by conventional lenses

(always has to be binocular visual acuity)

Question 2

what are conventional lenses

Answer 2

lenses which include the required distance correction and near vision additions up to +4.00DS

Question 3

what are the 2 categories of visual impairment

Answer 3

• severely sight impaired/blind

- sight impaired/partially sighted

Question 4

where does the severely sight impaired/blind definition come from

Answer 4

the blind persons act of 1920 and subsequently incorporated into the national assistance act 1948

Question 5

list the 3 different acuity guidelines that classify severely sight impaired

Answer 5

• acuity below 3/60
  or
• acuity better than 3/60 but below 6/60 with significantly contracted field
  or
• acuity better than 6/60 but with substantially contracted fields especially inferiorly (for reading and mobility)

Question 6

list the 3 different acuity guidelines that classify sight impaired/partial sight

Answer 6

• 3/60 to 6/60 va with full field
  or
• up to 6/24 with a moderate restriction of the field, opacities or aphakia
  or
• 6/18 or better with a gross field defect (e.g. stroke px with a hemianopia)

Question 7

list the 3 guidelines for children

Answer 7

• children ‘unless obviously blind’ should always be classified as sight impaired
• at the age of 4 years and over, binocular va should be used
• children with va of 6/24 or better should be considered candidates for mainstream schooling

Question 8

with what va should children be considered candidates for mainstream schooling

Answer 8

6/24 or better

Question 9

when should binocular va be used on children

Answer 9

at the age of 4 years and over

Question 10

registration is _____________

Answer 10

voluntary

Question 11

what was made standard across the uk from November 2003

Answer 11

certification via certificate of vision impairment CVI

Question 12

apart from certification via certificate of vision impairment CVI being made standard across the uk from November 2003, what 2 additional things also occurred

Answer 12

• low vision leaflet (LVL) is usually available from primary care community practices for patients to self refer to social services
• referral of vision impairment (RVI) for eye clinic to refer patient to social services, should be done as soon as social needs become apparent, but where certification is not currently appropriate or cannot be carried out e.g. if they are not being seen by a consultant

Question 13

what does a CVI form do

Answer 13

it formally certifies a person as SI or SSI

it provides a pathway for someone with sight loss to be brought to the attention of social services

Question 14

what does registration as SI or SSI do for social services

Answer 14

helps local authorities plan and provide services for people who are visually impaired

Question 15

what 11 things need to be filled out in a CVI form

Answer 15

• consent
• category of registration: sight impaired/severely sight impaired
• name
• address
• GP address
• social services address
• acuities
• field of vision
• effect of glare
• diagnosis
• relevant information e.g. information for driving licence holders

Question 16

who can certification of VI only be done/signed by

Answer 16

consultant ophthalmologist

Question 17

list the 5 people who need copies of a patients CVI form

Answer 17

• the patient
• hospital
• general practitioner GP
• local council/care trust
• epidemiological analysis

Question 18

what 3 things does the referral of visual impairment RVI require

Answer 18

• patient consent
• copy to GP
• urgency of referral

Question 19

what form is the referral of visual impairment similar to

Answer 19

the low vision leaflet LVL

Question 20

list 6 benefits of SSI registration

Answer 20

• blind persons personal income tax allowance
• reduction of 50% on TV licence fee
• car parking concessions: the blue badge scheme
• free postage on items marked “articles for the blind”
• free permanent loan of radios, cd radio cassette players
• help with telephone installation charges and line rental

Question 21

list all the benefits of SI/SSI registration

Answer 21

• free NHS sight test
• other NHS costs
• discounted rail travel
• local bus schemes
• exemption from BT directory enquiry charges
• information in accessible formats
• leisure concessions
• council tax disability reduction
• welfare benefits
• attendance allowance
• disability living allowance
• carer’s allowance
• employment and support allowance
• tax credits
• pension credit
• housing benefit and council tax benefit
• help from specially trained social services staff, usually called rehabilitation workers or rehabilitation officers
• protection under the disability discrimination act

Question 22

how can a VI person join the access to work scheme

Answer 22

employer or VI person should contact job centre

Question 23

what does the access to work scheme do

Answer 23

assists disabled people by providing practical support and helping to meet additional costs associated with overcoming work related obstacles resulting from disability

Question 24

give 3 examples of what may be done by the access to work scheme

Answer 24

• adaptations to premises and equipment e.g. zoom text for computer
• special aids and equipment e.g. CCTV
• travel to work e.g. cost of a taxi if applicable

Question 25

what does the children’s act 1998/2004 state

Answer 25

help should be available to all ‘children in need’

Question 26

what is not necessary with children

Answer 26

registration

Question 27

what do local education authorities identify

Answer 27

all children recognised with special educational needs from age of 2 (up to age of 19 if they’re in full time education)