Visual impairment

special education

1. By: zaibun nisa

2. Introduction Visual impairment is the functional limitation of the eye or eyes or the vision system. This leads to – Loss of visual acuity and inability of the person to see objects as clearly as a healthy person Loss of visual field meaning inability of an individual to see as wide an area as the average person without moving the eyes or turning the head. Photophobia – inability to look at light Diplopia – double vision Visual distortion or distortion of images Visual perceptual difficulties or difficulties of perception Or any combination of the above features

3. definition LEGAL/ MEDICAL DEFINITION According to AMA (American Medical Association) “ A legally blind person is said to be one, who has visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye even with correction OR whose field of vision is so restricted that it subtends an angle of 20 degree or less in the better eye after correction .”

4. definition Educationally defined, “ A blind child is one whose visual loss indicates that he/she should be educated chiefly through the use of Braille and tactile and auditory materials. The partially seeing child is defined as one who h as some remaining useful vision and can use print and other visual materials as part of the educational program.”

5. Categories of visual impairment Category Corrected VA-Better Eye WHO Definition Working Indian Definition 6/6-6/18 Normal Normal Normal 1 <6/18-6/60 Visual Impairment Low Vision Low Vision 2 <6/60-3/60 Severe Visual Impairment Low Vision Blind 3 <3/60-1/60 Blind Low Vision Blind 4 <1/60-PL Blind Low Vision Blind 5 NPL Blind Total Blindness Total Blindness

6. Identification of visually impaired children Check list by NCERT, New Delhi. Existence of more than one behaviour should ring the alarm Complains of headache following close eye work. Blinks eye frequently. Asks other children to read aloud when taking notes from blackboard. Hold objects close to eye. Covers one eye and tilts the head forward. Rubs eye frequently. The pupils of eye of different sizes Smaller eyelids/red rimmed eyelids.

7. Identification….. 9. Seem very sensitive to light. 10. Body tenses when trying to distinguish the distance objects. 11. Becomes inattentive during reading sessions. 12. Watering of eyes. 13. Squint eyes. 14. Takes false steps while walking.

8. Causes of Visual Impairment Cataract / Glaucoma AIDS related visual impairment Injury to the eyes Inherited conditions Amblyopia Infections of the eyes

9. Educational provision of visually impaired Use of remaining sight Close circuit television Magnifying glasses Large print material Braille Talking calculators Tape recorders General curriculum with modified