Visual Impairment (VI)
Visual Impairment is a general term for a variety of visual problems which cannot be corrected to a "normal" level.
What causes VI?
- Uncorrected refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism)
- Cataract
- Glaucoma
What are some of the signs of a VI?
- Eyes that don’t move together when following an object
- Crossed eyes, eyes that turn out or in
- Eyes that bulge, dance, or bounce in rapid movements
- Pupils that are unequal in size
- Sitting close to the objects (TV, books)
- Avoiding tasks and activities that require good vision
How can we assist people with VI?
- Early intervention: Provide services to support infants and toddlers (before their 3rd birthday) and their families
- Special education and related services (ages 3-21)
- Use assistive technologies designed for children with VI
- Effective use of residual vision that they already have
- Teach how to read and write in Braille
Useful Links
• The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
www.nichcy.org
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd