Visual Impairment
Alternate Names : Impaired Vision
What can be done to prevent the condition?
Prevention of visual impairment, when possible, is related to the cause.
Prevention includes the following:
screening for vision problems, which is often part of a routine checkup by
a healthcare
provider. All infants and children should be screened. This can help detect a
condition called strabismus, or
so-called lazy
eye, which needs early treatment to prevent blindness in one eye. Screening
for glaucoma is very important for people who are older than 40, especially
those who
are black or have a family history of this condition.
controlling conditions that can lead to vision impairment. An example
of this
would be diabetes. Controlling
blood sugar levels has been shown to prevent or delay vision problems from this
condition. Controlling glaucoma
can also help prevent vision loss from this condition.
wearing safety glasses or goggles during hazardous activities.
Individuals should take care to keep foreign objects and chemicals out of the
eyes. Sunlight can also harm the eyes. People should never look directly at the
sun
and are advised to wear sunglasses outside.
following directions for proper
wearing, cleaning, and storing of the lenses, for those who wear contact
lenses. People must also watch for
problems that can be caused by the lenses. These may include corneal injuries or corneal infections.
providing regular prenatal care for pregnant women to help prevent problems in the developing baby
seeking early evaluation and treatment for eye infections
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Visual impairment
can limit a person's ability to work, go to school, and drive. Severely
affected people may need special devices to help them with everyday activities.
Other long-term effects depend on the cause. For example, glaucoma may lead to permanent loss of vision. Cases
of
nearsightedness or farsightedness often improve with the use of glasses or
contacts. A stroke may
cause permanent vision problems and other limitations from brain damage.
What are the risks to others?
Visual impairment itself is
not contagious and poses no risk to others. However, if the cause is an
infection, such as conjunctivitis,
the
infection may be contagious.
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