Low Vision

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Low vision is defined as irreversible visual impairment caused by eye disease which cannot be corrected or improved with regular eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery.

It also includes loss of peripheral field of vision, reduced contrast sensitivity, increased glare or difficulty with daily activity.

CAUSES:

I) CONGENITAL:

1.Structural abnormality or abnormal development of external or internal structures of

Example-

Corneal opacities
Congenital cataract especially long standing untreated ones
Lack of Iris (pupil) –Aniridia
Nystagmus –Constant, involuntary movement of eyeballs.
Retinal dystrophies

2. Genetic disorders:

Example-

Retinitis pigmentosa (black Pigments/ white pigments all over retina)
Oculocutaneous albinism (red eyes with extremely fair skin)
Stargardts disease (mottled retina with flecs)
Congenital glaucoma: Huge Bull eyes

II) Age Related:

Metabolic namely Advanced Diabetic Retinopathy
Age –Related macular Degeneration
Glaucoma

III) Trauma:

1) Ocular injuries

2) Brain injuries

Uncorrected refractive errors, squints leading to amblyopia

IV) Cerebral Visual Impairment:

It is defined as vision loss resulting from damage to neural pathways in absence of any eye disease.

1.Paediatric Causes:

- Birth hypoxia or hypoxia in womb
- Genetic disorders associated with multiple disabilities
- Optic atrophy
- Maternal intake of drugs
- Congenital neurological malformations
- Congenital structural malformations like

2. Adults:

- - Epilepsy
  - Haemodialysis
  - Cardiac / Respiratory arrest C Common:
  - CNS infections
  - Trauma

Since there is no treatment possible for these disorders; so as to help the individuals restore functional ability and improve the quality of life & independence in an individual; visual rehabilitation comes in the picture.

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