Low vision and Visual Rehabilitation Flashcards
(17 cards)
What are the main causes of low vision in children?
Congenital cataracts Optic atrophy Albinism Buphthalmos Myopia Retinopathy of prematurity
What is the management of congenital cataracts?
Lens removed, but nothing replaced - contact lenses / glasses are needed to help visual development
What is buphthalmos?
Congenital glaucoma - may be present due to a congenital abnormality that blocks the drainage of aqueous
How is buphthalmos managed?
Lenses or glasses
What are the main causes of poor vision in adults?
Diabetic retinopathy myopia Uveitis Corneal dystrophies Macular degenerations Retinitis pigmentosa
What are the main causes of poor vision in the elderly?
Age related macular problems - dry and wet
Glaucoma
Inoperable cataracts
Diabetic retinopathy/maculopathies
What parameters need to be recorded in assessing a patient’s vision?
Distance vision unaided (and aided)
Retinoscopy - holding lenses in front of eye
Subjective refraction - patients opinion on lens power
Near vision assessment
Unit magnification assessment
What low vision aids are available to adults?
hand magnifiers stand magnifiers illuminated HM/SM High reading aids - strong glasses Binoculars/monoculars Spectacle mounted devices
What low vision aids are available to children?
Bar magnifier
Dome ‘bright magnifier’
bifocals
distance binoculars/monoculars
What non-optical devices are available to help Low vision?
talking books/watches large print typoscopes bump-ons illumination tinted lenses kitchen aids Contrast text
What electronic devices are available for low vision?
CCTV compact devices software Voice activated devices screen/scanner readers braille keyboard
What is a GOS 18 form?
Used by optometrists to relay information to the GP and hospital eye services - transfer of responsibility to GP
What can an optometrist refer for?
sign of injury
diseases or abnormality
treatment of further investigation
unsatisfactory level of VA even with corrective lenses
What specific referrals exist for optometrists?
LVI - letter of visual impairment - designed for optometrists and clinicians outside hospital
RVI - referral of visual impairment - used by non-ophthalmic staff to allow access of social services without being PSR/registered blind
CVI - certificate of visual impairment
Define visual impairment
a person who is substantially or permanently handicapped by defective vision cause through congenital defect, injury or illness
What is the threshold for visual impairment?
VA 3/60 up to 6/24 with moderate field contraction or VA 6/18 or better if severe visual field loss
What is the threshold for severe visual impairment?
so blind they cannot perform work for which sight is essential - VA less than 3/60 or or VA 3-6/60 with constricted visual fields of VA 6/60 - 6/24 with very constricted fields
