[Representation of the fetus in utero for visually handicapped women].
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Attitude to Health↗
SEARCH · PubMed Health
Results for “Persons with Visual Disabilities”
Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.
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Vision and hearing loss in older adults: "Double trouble".
Recent studies indicate that by age seventy, 21% of the people living in the United States have both vision and hearing loss. Dual sensory loss in the elderly has a significant effect on an individual's ability to socialize, communicate with others, and live independently. This article addresses the issues faced by older individuals who are hard of hearing and blind or visually impaired. Common causes and behavioral signs of hearing and vision loss are discussed. An emphasis is placed on the functional implications of the dual sensory impairment and possible accommodations and communication strategies are outlined
Aged↗
[Present-day sports activities among the blind and persons with poor vision in different countries of the world].
The approach of a country to persons with limited physical abilities is an important component of country's social-and-cultural policy. Blindness is a most severe variety of health disorders leading to social defect and social insufficiency. The role of adaptive physical culture is important within the system of the social-and-medical rehabilitation of the blind because the sedentary life mode has a negative effect on organisms of the disabled due to vision. Sports is not only a method for correcting the general somatic condition, but it is also an important social-and-physiological factor that enables the blind to comprehend their abilities as an example for others. As for our country, the information about the modern sports activities among the disabled due to vision is absolutely insufficient for the public at large. An analysis of results of examination (conducted by using the computer data base of the International Blind Sportsmen Association--IBSA) of 2386 blind and impaired vision sportsmen is presented in the paper. Data about sport disciplines and types of ophthalmic pathologies encountered among the high-class blind and impaired vision athletes from different world countries are described. The above data can be helpful in elaborating the rehabilitation programs for persons with severe disorders of the organ of vision to be used in rehabilitation centers, sport federations and clubs of the disabled as well as in other institutions dealing with rehabilitation of the disabled due to vision in our country.
Blindness↗
Prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment among school children in south-western Nigeria.
The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and identify the causes of blindness and visual impairment in school children of Ilesa-East Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria. A total of 1144 school children in primary and secondary schools were selected using a 2-stage random sampling method and examined to determine the prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment. A total of 17 (1.48%) children were blind or visually impaired. These comprised of 11 (0.96%) children who were visually impaired and 4 (0.3%) who were severely visually impaired. Only 2 (0.15%) school children were blind. The causes of visual impairment were refractive error 10 (0.87%) and immature cataract 1 (0.08%), causes of severe visual impairment included corneal opacities 2 (0.2%), amblyopia leading to squint 1 (0.08%) and 1 cataract 1 (0.08%). The causes of blindness in school children were corneal scars presumed to be due to vitamin A deficiency 1 (0.08%) and keratoconus 1 (0.08%). Causes of blindness and visual impairment in children attending regular schools in Nigeria were treatable. Prevention, early recognition and prompt treatment of these diseases by regular screening of school children would definitely reduce unnecessary visual handicap in Nigerian school children so that they can attain their full potential in the course of their education. Also, information from this study is relevant for the purpose of planning eye care programmes for the prevention of blindness in Nigerian school children. This will go a long way in the prevention of unnecessary blindness and visual impairment in school children.
Adolescent↗
The effect of abnormal colour vision on the ability to identify and outline coloured clinical signs and to count stained bacilli in sputum.
AIM: To determine if medical practitioners with congenital colour vision deficiencies (CCVD) are less able to identify and delineate the extent of coloured abnormal signs than those with normal colour vision. METHOD: Twenty-two medical practitioners with CCVD and 17 with normal colour vision, matched for age and gender, were shown 10 photographs. They were asked to identify and outline the extent of the clinical sign in eight that were of vomit or stool (six of these showing fresh blood), one of a skin rash and for one to mark the position of bacilli in sputum stained by the Ziehl-Neelsen method. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the CCVD practitioners and those with normal colour vision in their ability to outline abnormalities in five of the six photographs that showed fresh blood, in the photograph of a rash and in marking the position of bacilli in the photograph of a stained slide. CONCLUSION: Medical practitioners with CCVD are handicapped in their evaluation of the presence and extent of coloured clinical signs. Medical schools should ensure that students with CCVD are aware of their deficiency and know its severity, so they can take special care in clinical practice.
Bacillus↗
Independence for people with disabilities. A physician's primer on assistive technology.
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Persons with Disabilities↗
[Psychological mechanisms in the visually handicapped child].
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Adaptation, Psychological↗
New insights into improving the oral health of visually impaired children.
Comprehensive dental care for 150 blind school children was carried out. The main goal of this oral hygiene programme was to create awareness to enable them to be independent in their oral hygiene care.
Child↗
Prevalence of ocular diagnoses found on screening 1539 adults with intellectual disabilities.
OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of ocular disorders in adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs) in the Netherlands. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SUBJECTS: A stratified random sample (for age more than 50 years and Down syndrome [DS]) of 1598 participants drawn from a base population of 9012 adult users of ID services with mild to profound intellectual disabilities in the Netherlands. METHODS: Participants underwent on-site visual screening on the basis of a protocol. Results were related to degree of ID, occurrence of DS, age, and a diagnosis of visual impairment or blindness. Referral to ophthalmologists followed when visual impairment was diagnosed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diagnosis of ocular disorders and their prevalence. RESULTS: Refractive errors were most prevalent (60.6%), followed by strabismus (44.1%) and lens opacities (18.1%). Besides these, in participants diagnosed as visually impaired, cerebral visual impairment was the most common untreatable disorder (12.6%), followed by macular degeneration (5.4%). Compared with known figures from general populations, the prevalence of ocular diagnoses in adults with ID was significantly higher. The occurrence of refractive errors and strabismus was significantly related to DS (odds ratio [OR], 2.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56 to 3.00; and OR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.93 to 3.17, respectively). Lens opacities had an independent relation with age more than 50 years (OR, 4.23; 95% CI, 3.04 to 5.88) and DS (OR, 8.27; 95% CI, 5.95 to 11.49). Keratoconus was independently related to DS (OR, 7.65; 95% CI, 3.91 to 14.96) and degree of ID (OR, 5.56; 95% CI, 2.79 to 11.06). Corneal opacities also were related to DS (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.41 to 5.18) and degree of ID (OR, 5.53; 95% CI, 2.66 to 11.48). The risk of ocular hypertension was increased by age more than 50 years (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.16 to 5.57) and severe or profound ID (OR, 4.86; 95% CI, 2.06 to 10.63); DS decreased the risk (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.94). CONCLUSIONS: In 1539 adults with ID in the Netherlands, high prevalences of ocular disorders were found. Adults with ID in general have an increased risk of severe myopia, strabismus, and lens opacities; DS, older age, or severe ID further increase the risk of specific ocular disorders.
Adult↗
An audio- and speech-based interface for computer-controlled scientific instruments.
Laboratory instruments are intrinsic to research and work in a wide array of scientific fields. They are used for the control of devices, data storage, and data analysis. The control of instruments is increasingly changing from independent on-instrument controls to multiple instrument integrate software control. Unfortunately, the graphical representation of controls and data makes it difficult for an individual with a visual impairment to independently operate laboratory instruments. Alternative interfaces have been previously developed for these individuals but have often proved limited in scope and accuracy, or otherwise expensive. The resulting inaccessibility to affordable and accurate scientific instrumentation, unfortunately, discourages many individuals with a visual impairment from entering scientific fields of research or work. This paper introduces an alternative interface method developed for LabVIEW, National Instruments' instrumentation software package. The method is specifically designed for individuals with visual impairments, and uses alternative navigation techniques as well as audio feedback. The developed user interface uses simple keyboard inputs to traverse through a hierarchical tree-based menu system. Speech and audio tones are used to alert the user to system settings and errors, as well as a help mechanism and data analysis tool. At this time, alternative interfaces have been developed for the following basic laboratory instruments: an oscilloscope and function/arbitrary waveform generator. The interface methodology, however, can be extended to include any scientific instrument that can be controlled by LabVIEW.
Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗
Features of the development of a welfare system for visually disabled people in Denmark.
PURPOSE: To describe the development of a formal system of welfare for blind and partially sighted people in Denmark. METHODS: The principal laws in Denmark relating to a formal system of welfare for blind and partially sighted people are noted and commented on. No such collection of laws has been found in the literature. The history of aid to visually disabled people in Denmark is described, as are the Danish classifications of visual impairment. DEVELOPMENT: Formalized welfare for blind and partially sighted people was started in Denmark in 1811, as a private initiative by the Kjaede Order. Later, the Danish state took over responsibility, and in 1858 the Royal Danish Institute for the Blind was established. Since then a series of laws concerning welfare for blind and partially sighted people have been issued in accordance with economic and social development in Denmark. In 1858 the Braille writing system for blind people was introduced. The Danish Association of the Blind was founded in 1911 and has profoundly influenced subsequent legislation. During the last 10 years, several visual centres have been established. Since 1968 prevention of blindness has also played a prominent role in Denmark. CONCLUSION: Great steps have been taken towards improving the welfare of blind and partially sighted people. However, being blind is still very difficult. Modern technologies and hectic lifestyles have created new problems for blind people. The obligations of the Danish state towards visually disabled people have, therefore, increased in recent years.
Blindness↗
[Analysis of the causes of visual disability based on medical court opinions].
PURPOSE: To determine visual invalidity causes based on medical-court opinions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analysis of 337 medical-court opinions requested by the Public Insurance Department of the State Court in Szczecin has been carried out. The opinions concerned 189 men and 148 women at the age ranging from 23 to 96 years old. The average age was 52 years. The causes of appeals have been analyzed as well as admitted welfare assistance due to disablement and none self-reliance. RESULTS: It was found that a trauma of an eye was the most frequent cause of applying a request for acknowledgment of partial disablement (13.4%) or complete disablement (25.8%). The most frequent reason of being not self-reliant was glaucoma (16.4%). It has been observed that the most often accepted by court cause of partial disablement was the undergoing of an eye injury (22.8%). Glaucoma was the most often accepted by court cause of complete disablement (17%) and none self-reliance (15.4%).
Adult↗
Visual impairment and functional status from the 1995 National Health Interview Survey on Disability.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this project is to evaluate the association of vision limitation and function among a population of older and younger adults. METHODS: The effects of self-reported serious difficulty with vision and legal blindness were evaluated on six activities of daily living (ADLs) and six instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Subjects were 67,570 adults over the age of 18 who participated in the 1995 National Health Interview Survey on Disability. RESULTS: Serious difficulty with vision (SDV) and legal blindness (LB) were independently associated with increased odds of poorer function for each of the ADLs and IADLs. In stratified analysis, the effect of vision on function was modified by age. Both SDV and LB produced a greater impact on performance of ADLs and IADLs among younger rather than older subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Vision had an impact on all ADLs and IADLs evaluated, with greater impact on self-reported function for younger adults. This suggests that younger adults perceive limitations associated with visual disability differently than do older adults.
Activities of Daily Living↗
What is low vision? A re-evaluation of definitions.
PURPOSE: To re-evaluate definitions of low vision, visual impairment, and disability. METHODS: We review current definitions of legal blindness and low vision and how these definitions are variably based on disability or impairment. We argue for a definite distinction being made between criteria for visual impairment and visual disability, low vision being defined as the presence of a visual impairment that results in a disability. Visual impairment is defined according to population norms and a statistical cut-off is used. Visual disability is defined by consideration of the level of visual measures which result in measurable or reportable disability. We consider the evidence that contrast sensitivity should be a criterion for visual disability in addition to visual acuity and visual field. CONCLUSIONS: According to the current information, we define visual impairment as best monocular or binocular visual acuity <(worse than) 6/7.5, total horizontal visual field <146 degrees (Goldmann III-4e) or <109 degrees (III-3e), and contrast sensitivity <1.5 (PelliRobson); we define visual disability as best monocular or binocular visual acuity <6/12 or contrast sensitivity <1.05.
Blindness↗
The current status of visual disability in the elderly population of Taiwan.
PURPOSE: This study was conducted to explore the prevalence and the associated factors of visual impairment and blindness among the elderly Taiwanese population. METHODS: A nationwide population-based visual health care screening program of elderly people aged 65 years or older was conducted between 1 July 2002 and 31 December 2002 in Taiwan. Based on the same standardized protocol used by the Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, and a stratified random sampling design, 3160 out of 5000 elderly subjects were selected by a two-stage visual care screening method. The overall response rate was 63.2%. RESULTS: The mean age of the elderly participants was 72.4 +/- 5.1 years. The overall prevalence of glaucoma, corneal diseases, trauma, cataracts, myopic or diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration among the elderly population was 2.1%, 6.3%, 0.9%, 60.2%, 7.5%, and 2.9%, respectively. The overall prevalence of visual disability (visual acuity of the better eye <0.5) was 17.7%, including 17.1% with visual impairment and 0.6% with blindness. Based on logistic regression, the significant independent factors of visual disability (visual impairment plus blindness) were sex (male vs. female, odds ratio (OR) = 0.62, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.51-0.76), age (70-74 years vs. 65-69 years, OR = 1.60, 95% CI, 1.24-2.06; 75-79 years vs. 65-69 years, OR = 2.52, 95% CI, 1.92-3.32, > or =80 yrs vs. 65-69 yrs, OR = 4.86, 95% CI, 3.52-6.70), corneal diseases (OR = 2.26, 95% CI, 1.61-3.16), myopic or diabetic retinopathy (OR = 1.69, 95% CI, 1.20-2.39), age-related macular degeneration (OR = 4.96, 95% CI, 3.16-7.78), and cataract (OR = 3.40, 95% CI, 2.67-4.33). CONCLUSIONS: The geographic difference in the prevalence of vision-related eye disease, visual impairment, and blindness point to the importance of taking actions that suit local circumstances. Our results also revealed that visual impairment and blindness are important visual health problems in the elderly Taiwanese population. Age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, corneal diseases, myopic or diabetic retinopathy, female sex, and aging were the leading causes of visual disability. Further organized preventive strategies for eye care are recommended in this population.
Age Distribution↗
Informing parents of visually impaired children: who should do it and when?
BACKGROUND: Parents of sick or disabled children are likely to be more stressed than parents of non-disabled children and may benefit from being given information about their child's condition and its implications, but the stage at which parents should receive such information and who should provide it has not been fully investigated. The impact of written information on stress levels of parents of visually impaired children, seen in the ophthalmology clinic of a children's hospital, was explored in this study and the question of who parents thought should provide information, and at what stage, was also investigated. METHODS: A longitudinal, experimental intervention study was conducted to compare the effect on perceived stress levels of providing information about the implications of visual impairment to parents. Effects were compared according to the child's age and explored in relation to baseline stress levels. The study included a frequency analysis about parents' knowledge of visual impairment and how it relates to education, and their response to being given written information. RESULTS: The results did not show an effect on levels of parental stress but did find that parents of school age children were more stressed than those of preschool age. Over 80% of participants considered that information was given too late and suggested it should be given soon after diagnosis. Of the controls, 32.6% thought the general practitioner should provide information on education although participants were more likely to expect the hospital to provide it. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of parents would prefer to receive information soon after diagnosis of their child's visual impairment. Most parents do not know who to approach for information on education. Giving them access to patient liaison teams who could advise about the repercussions of visual impairment in children would be beneficial.
Case-Control Studies↗
Creating accessible science museums with user-activated environmental audio beacons (ping!).
In 2003, Touch Graphics Company carried out research on a new invention that promises to improve accessibility to science museums for visitors who are visually impaired. The system, nicknamed Ping!, allows users to navigate an exhibit area, listen to audio descriptions, and interact with exhibits using a cell phone-based interface. The system relies on computer telephony, and it incorporates a network of wireless environmental audio beacons that can be triggered by users wishing to travel to destinations they choose. User testing indicates that the system is effective, both as a way-finding tool and as a means of providing accessible information on museum content. Follow-up development projects will determine if this approach can be successfully implemented in other settings and for other user populations.
Architectural Accessibility↗
Image enhancement in the JPEG domain for people with vision impairment.
An image enhancement algorithm for low-vision patients was developed for images compressed using the JPEG standard. The proposed algorithm enhances the images in the discrete cosine transform domain by weighting the quantization table in the decoder. Our specific implementation increases the contrast at all bands of frequencies by an equal factor. The enhancement algorithm has four advantages: 1) low computational cost; 2) suitability for real-time application; 3) ease of adjustment by end-users (for example, adjusting a single parameter); and 4) less severe block artifacts as compared with conventional (post compression) enhancements. Experiments with visually impaired patients show improved perceived image quality at moderate levels of enhancement but rejection of artifacts caused by higher levels of enhancement.
Algorithms↗