There are many consequences of vision impairment for students, from delayed development to lower educational achievement. In addition to affecting young children, vision impairment impacts adult populations in significant ways, including lower rates of participation in the workforce, lower productivity, and higher levels of depression. Additionally, visual impairment is associated with difficulty walking and increased risk of fractures and falls. It also results in early entry into care facilities. This article provides insight into how to cope with vision impairment for students.
Globally, 1 billion people are estimated to suffer from some form of vision impairment. The prevalence of blindness and vision impairment is expected to double in the next 35 years, and the number of people affected by eye diseases is expected to increase. In the United States, approximately four million people experience one type of vision impairment or blindness each year. As such, the importance of funding research into eye disease continues to grow. Further, the need to educate the public about the condition and support for people affected by it is increasing.
In 2015, there were nearly 37 million individuals with vision impairment and blindness, according to global and regional meta-analyses. The most common causes of visual impairment include age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy. However, glaucoma and cataract are the most common causes of irreversible vision impairment. For each of these conditions, vision rehabilitation is important in improving function.
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is an organization dedicated to advocating for people with vision impairments. ACB advocates for legislation and services and hosts various web-based initiatives. The organization has a video of Graham’s daily activities that is audio-described. During the video, he also demonstrates the independence of people with vision impairment and gives tips to interact with them. In addition to a video, this organization also provides a list of online resources devoted to vision impairment and blindness.
Visual acuity is a measure of a person’s ability to see objects in a given distance. The lower line of the Snellan Vision Chart is considered to be 20/20 in a person’s best-seeing eye. Individuals with low vision are referred to as legally blind if their vision does not improve with the use of contact lenses or prescription glasses. Those who are totally blind are completely blind.
Children with vision impairment can develop a variety of problems, including delays in motor skills, speech, and vestibular development. In addition, their field of vision may be less than 20 degrees, while a normal person can see 180 degrees. Vision impairment can occur at birth or develop later as a result of disease, injury, or a medical condition. While most children with vision impairments appear normal at birth, they may still experience a range of symptoms and have a typical appearance.
People with MSVI have higher rates of eye disorders than normal-sighted individuals. MSVI increases by 77% with axial length. It also increases with age. In addition, the prevalence of MSVI has increased in children, although the increase has been less than that seen in adults. Further, MSVI is a major cause of blindness and vision impairment in the U.S., according to research from the Louisiana Center for the Blind.
