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Visual Impairment In the UK there are an estimated 350,000 people who have a visual impairment. Of these around 166,000 are aged between 16 and 64. Visual impairment is a term used for people who are blind or have impaired vision. There are many eye conditions that can cause people to have a visual impairment. Eye conditions and the impact they have varies enormously, therefore each person must be treated individually. Students who are blind
or partially sighted are able to participate in many educational courses
with simple changes in teaching strategies and possibly the provision
of some study aids and equipment. The National Assistance Act 1948 states that a person can be certified and therefore registered blind if they are 'so blind that they cannot do any work for which eyesight is essential.' A person can be certified and registered partially sighted if they are substantially and permanently handicapped by defective vision, caused by illness, congenital defect or injury. Only a consultant
ophthalmologist (eye specialist) can certify a person as blind or partially
sighted. Certification leads to being placed on the local authority register.
The consultant will check the field of vision and distance vision (visual
acuity). The consultant may use a Snellen eye chart. |
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Cataracts