Vision Impairment

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