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Results for “Persons with Visual Disabilities”

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PubMed2001

Visual impairment in adult people with moderate, severe, and profound intellectual disability.

PURPOSE: To assess visual impairment in adults with intellectual disability after de-institutionalisation. PATIENTS: The county has a population of 385 483 persons of 18 years and older; 961 were moderately, severely or profoundly intellectually impaired (ID), 837 of them (87 %) participated in the investigation. METHODS: Visual acuity, VA: Østerberg picture charts and reduced copies for near vision could be used in 71% of the patients. Teller preferential looking procedure was applied to people who were unable to cooperate with the picture charts. When examined with picture wall chart VA 0.3-> or =0.10) was found in 10.8%, severe low vision in 1.2% (VA <0.10-> or =0.05), and blindness (VA<0.05) in 3.8%. Poor near vision (<0.3) was present in 19%. Those assessed with Teller acuity cards had poorer vision than the others. It is possible that the low values of assessment with Teller cards represent a combination of gnostic and resolution deficiencies, which means that the results of grating VA and recognition VA are non-comparable. Ophthalmic disorders: The most widespread medical condition was cerebral visual impairment, the most frequent eye disorders were optic atrophy, high myopia, cataract, and keratoconus. Refraction: Refraction was assessed in 710 persons (85%), the most prevalent cause of visual impairment was uncorrected ametropia. Hypermetropia of >+1.50 was found in 151 of 710 subjects (21%), and spectacles were used by 106 (15%); myopia <-1.0 was present in 213 individuals (30%), 95 persons (13%) had lenses <-1.0. CONCLUSION: Resettled adult people with intellectual disability have a high prevalence of treatable visual impairment. A structured scheme of referral to optometric and ophthalmological care is essential if these people are to be given the care to which they are entitled.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Compensatory strategy use identifies risk of incident disability for the visually impaired.

BACKGROUND: Use of compensatory strategies may be a marker for preclinical disability. OBJECTIVE: To determine, among persons who did not report mobility disability, if the reported use of compensatory strategies was a predictor of subsequent disability at 2 years in those who did and did not have visual impairment at baseline. METHODS: Within a population-based sample of 2520 persons aged 65 to 84 years, those who reported no difficulty walking or stair-climbing at baseline (not disabled) were studied. Visual impairment was defined as a visual acuity worse than 20/40, log contrast sensitivity less than 1.5, or more than 30 points missing in the visual field. Use of compensatory strategies at baseline was reported as changing the frequency or method used to walk or climb stairs. Incident disability was defined as report of new difficulty in mobility at 2 years. RESULTS: Those using compensatory strategies at baseline were 3 times more likely to report incident disability in walking and stair-climbing, compared with persons who did not use compensatory strategies. Visual field impairment was the most significant predictor of incident mobility disability of all the vision measures studied. Among those with visual field impairment, users of compensatory strategies were 3 times more likely to report incident walking disability (95% confidence interval, 1.87-5.58) and incident stair-climbing disability (95% confidence interval, 1.86-4.83) compared with those who did not use compensatory strategies. CONCLUSION: Preclinical disability, characterized by use of compensatory strategies in those with no disability, is a predictor for subsequent disability and may help identify patients with visual impairment for whom mobility interventions are warranted.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Leading causes of blindness and visual impairment in the region of Eastern Herzegovina].

INTRODUCTION: Visual impairment and blindness are serious social and health problems in the world. 1992 classification of visual disorders by World Health Organization has recently been implemented. The goal of this study was to determine common causes of visual impairment and blindness in the region of Eastern Herzegovina. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this population based study we have analyzed medical records stored in the regional Association of Visually Impaired and Blind Persons of the Republic of Srpska (Trebinje, Bileća, Foca, Eastern Sarajevo). The analysis included sex and age distribution of registered population, classification and leading causes of visual disability and blindness. RESULTS There are 298 registered persons with visual disability and blindness in the region of Eastern Herzegovina and Eastern Sarajevo. The prevalence of visual impairment and blindness in the aforementioned region is 0.1%. Among the studied population, there are more males than females with visual disability or blindness (56% versus 44%). Most (78%) of registered persons are blind, and only 22% are visualy impaired. 43% of registered population are in the IV category and only 8.38% are registered in the II category. Only 2% of registered population are children. Common causes of visual disability and blindness in the region of Eastern Herzegovina are: glaucoma (22%), cataract (17%), myopia alta (13%), diabetic retinopathy (12%) and ocular trauma (11). Common causes of children's visual impairment include. optic nerve anomalies, congenital cataract and premature retinopathy. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Compared with literature data, common causes of blindness and visual impairment in the region of Eastern Herzegovina do not differ significantly from those in other regions. Registration is based on the WHO model, but it is possible only by performing active epidemiological studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Improving the accessibility of an analytic and technical skills MCH toolbox.

OBJECTIVES: To assess our analytic and technical skills website for accessibility and to make necessary corrections. METHODS: We used commercially available software (Jaws and LIFT for Dreamweaver) and an individual with visual impairments to evaluate our self-instructional, analytic, and technical tools. We identified problems in tables, images, multimedia content, PDF files, and links. RESULTS: We repaired the site by using LIFT to make appropriate modifications to the website and tools. CONCLUSIONS: Improving accessibility is advantageous for all Internet users. In addition to responding to legislative mandates, accessible web design creates pages that are often more readable, easier to navigate, and faster to download. Improving the accessibility of websites that incorporate charts and graphs strengthens the ability of all members of the MCH workforce to address the core functions.

Communication Devices for People with Disabilities↗
PubMed2000

Graphic displays: the effects of orientation on the tangible perception of histograms and pie charts.

Two studies designed to investigate the ability of blind subjects to interpret tangible graphic displays of data at varying degrees of orientation are reported. In the first experiment visually handicapped children were required to interpret histograms and pie charts presented at two different orientations. Horizontally oriented histograms were found to have a significant advantage over vertically oriented histograms, but there was no effect of orientation on pie charts. In the second study horizontally and vertically oriented histograms were again compared using a subject sample comprised only of congenitally or very early blind children. The results confirmed the superiority of horizontally presented histograms over the more common vertical display.

Blindness↗
PubMed1999

[Visually handicapped children and young adults in specialized schools in the French North department in 1995].

BACKGROUND: In 1988, the prevalence of blindness in France was 0.17/1000 and that of amblyopia 0.48/1000. Medical advances in the last 30 years have modified the population of children with visual impairment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The populations in two specialized schools of the north (340 children and adolescents, 3-20-year-olds) were studied and compared with the literature. RESULTS: Cataracts (13%) and congenital nystagmus (11%) were the two most frequent causes. The children taken in charge had less severe diseases than in the past but needed all the same specialized education. However these schools provided more specialized help for children educated near home, in ordinary schools. The children who were educated in the two specialized schools had more severe diseases or more social problems in their families. CONCLUSION: The education and educative treatment of these children are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

How does visual impairment affect performance on tasks of everyday life? The SEE Project. Salisbury Eye Evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between performance on selected tasks of everyday life and impairment in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. METHODS: Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were obtained on a population-based sample of 2520 older African American and white subjects. Performance was assessed on mobility, daily activities with a strong visual component, and visually intensive tasks. Disability was defined as performance less than 1 SD below the mean. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of thresholds in acuity and contrast loss for determining disability. RESULTS: Both visual acuity and contrast sensitivity loss were associated with decrements in function. The relationship of function to the vision measures was mostly linear, therefore, receiver operating characteristic curves were not helpful in identifying cutoff points for predicting disabilities. For mobility tasks, most persons were not disabled until they had significant acuity loss (logMAR visual acuity >1.0 or <20/200) or contrast sensitivity loss (0.9 log units contrast sensitivity). For heavily visually intensive tasks, like reading, visual acuity worse than 0.2 logMAR (20/30) or contrast sensitivity worse than 1.4 log units was disabling. CONCLUSIONS: Both contrast sensitivity and visual acuity loss contribute independently to deficits in performance on everyday tasks. Defining disability as deficits in performance relative to a population, it is possible to identify visual acuity and contrast loss where most are disabled. However, the cutoff points depend on the task, suggesting that defining disability using a single threshold for visual acuity or contrast sensitivity loss is arbitrary.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

[The development of the skin-optical perception of color and images in blind schoolchildren on an "internal visual screen"].

In profound impairement of vision the function of colour and seen objects perception is absent, with the person being unable to orient himself in space. The uncovered sensory sensations of colour allowed their use in training the blind in recognizing the colour of paper, fabric, etc. Further study in those having become blind will, we believe, help in finding eligible people and relevant approaches toward educating the blind, which will make for development of the trainee's ability to recognize images on the "inner visual screen".

Blindness↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Keep it simple! A touch technique peritoneal dialysis procedure for the blind and visually impaired.

Diabetes is the main cause of blindness in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). The number of diabetic patients who require dialysis has increased from 16% in 1981 to 30% in 1999 (CIHI, 1999). Therefore, it is important for blind individuals to find a peritoneal dialysis (PD) technique that will ensure their independence and prevent peritonitis. In July 2000, the home peritoneal dialysis unit (HPDU), Toronto Western Hospital (TWH), University Health Network, successfully developed and implemented a "touch technique" connection procedure for the blind and visually impaired. The procedure involved is a touch technique connection utilizing the Fresenius Premier Plus Double Bag system. Three blind patients on the UV Flash peritoneal dialysis system were retrained in the touch technique on a one-to-one basis for an average of four days. Additionally, they were each given a procedural audiotape or CD for reference at home. This simple touch technique has enabled these three patients the freedom of a relatively independent lifestyle. They have been peritonitis-free since implementation, for 19, 15 and four months respectively. This technique allows blind and visually-impaired ESRD patients to perform peritoneal dialysis in their homes and, thus, maintain independence.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Occupational injuries among older workers with visual, auditory, and other impairments. A validation study.

This study aims to validate a previously defined model of the risk of occupational injuries among older workers with visual, auditory, or other impairments. That model was based upon the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). The previous logistic regression model was recalculated using data from the 1994 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The parameter estimates for impaired hearing (.181 in NHIS, 1.55 in HRS), impaired vision (2.42 in NHIS, 1.48 in HRS), and self-employment (0.22 in NHIS, 0.49 in HRS) were in same direction and of roughly the same magnitude. The previously defined model was confirmed using NHIS data. The data suggest that as the workforce ages, more attention must be paid to the accommodation of disabilities in the workplace, especially sensory impairments-poor vision and hearing.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2005

Concurrent hearing and visual impairment and morbidity in community-residing adults: the National Health Interview Survey, 1986 to 1996.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between the presence and severity of concurrent hearing and visual impairment (HI+VI) and morbidity. METHODS: Data for adults 45 years and older were obtained from the National Health Interview Survey, 1986 to 1996 (n = 60,997). Covariate-adjusted logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between HI+VI and five morbidity indicators: restricted activity days, bed rest days, doctor visits, hospitalizations and self-rated health. RESULTS: Associations with morbidity indicators tended to be stronger in adults with HI+VI, and in particular, among adults with more severe HI+VI, relative to adults reporting no impairment. These associations were somewhat stronger in adults 45 to 64 years versus older adults. DISCUSSION: HI+VI is associated with morbidity, although the strength of these associations varies across subgroups. Findings indicate that an increased focus on the provision of hearing and eye care services is required. Insurance coverage for these services should also be pursued by health policy makers.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

The views and attitudes of parents of children with a sensory impairment towards orthodontic care.

A questionnaire was sent to the parents of 77 visually impaired (VI), 210 hearing impaired (HI) and 494 control children seeking their views on their child's dental appearance, orthodontic treatment need and issues that might influence the child undertaking treatment. The parents' views were compared with a dentist's assessment of treatment need using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). There was disagreement between the dentist's assessment and the parents' perceptions in all groups. However, the least disagreement was seen in the HI group. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) association between control and HI parents' views of their children's treatment needs and their opinion on their dental appearance. Most parents thought that orthodontic treatment was difficult to obtain and expensive and that their child would find difficulty coping with the treatment. Furthermore, parents of VI children considered that treatment was unlikely to be undertaken due to their child's reduced concern for their appearance. The study indicates that the awareness of treatment need for VI and HI children differs between their parents and dentists.

Adolescent↗