Sensory Impairment

Question 1

What is a sensory impairment?

Answer 1

When 1 or more of a persons senses is no longer normal

Question 2

What is a cataract

Answer 2

Clouding of the eye lens which prevents clear vision

Question 3

What is AMD

Answer 3

Age-related macular degeneration

• Affects older people
• When the macular rent develops degenerative lesions

Question 4

What are the 2 types of AMD?

Answer 4

Wet

Dry

Question 5

What age group does glaucoma generally effect

Answer 5

70-80s

Question 6

What is glaucoma caused by

Answer 6

Fluid building up in the front part of the eye

Caused by a rise in intraocular pressure

Question 7

What patients get a diabetic retinopathy

Answer 7

Those who’ve had diabetes mellitus for several years

Question 8

What is hemianopia

Answer 8

Blindness in 1/2 of the visual field

Question 9

What can hemianopia be caused by?

Answer 9

A stroke

Question 10

Difficulties a visually impaired patient may have in the dentist (3)

Answer 10

1. Not being able to access printed material
2. Difficulty in accessing the internet
3. Difficulty in getting to destinations and around buildings

Question 11

How can we maximise communication for patients with a visual impairment (5)

Answer 11

1. Always identify yourself
2. Tell them when people are moving around the room
3. Always use names to identify people - especially in a grouped situation
4. Tell them what you’re going to do before you do it
5. Alternative formats to provide info
   - CD
   - Email
   - Extra large print
   - Audiotapes
   - Braille

Question 12

How can we maximise communication for patients with an auditory impairment (7)

Answer 12

1. Try to establish patients preferred communication method
2. Book BSL interpreters/lip readers/ note takers if needed
3. Face the person, don’t turn away
4. Repeat, rephrase
5. Write things down
6. Reduce background noise
7. Allow extra time