Visual Impairment

Vision Impairment is defined as the limitation of one or more functions of the eye.

 

                           If our child is born visually impaired or blind they will experience the world in a very different way,

as a very high percentage of early learning is done by sight. Early intervention is very critical at this stage to reduce the risk of developmental delays.

 

             Some of the main signs and symptoms of poor vision or blindness are;

 

n      The appearance of the eyes

n      Eye movements

n      Pupils that are too large or too small

n      Developmental delays

n      Not tracking objects by 3 or 4 months

n      Doesn’t blink at bright lights

n      Not interested in brightly coloured toys

n      Doesn’t reach for things placed in front of them

n      Squinting

n      Rubbing or poking at eyes

n      Not making eye contact

 

            Some of the main causes of poor vision or blindness are;

 

n      Accidents

n      Disease

n      Birth defects

n      Birth complications

n      Trauma, poisoning and tumours

 

           Some world wide causes;

 

n      Corneal scarring – this happens when there is excessive drying of the eye causing scars, this will happen when there is lack of vitamin A

n      Cataract – this is a clouding that will develop over the eye’s lens

n      Trachoma – this is a repeated infection, causing scaring of the upper eye lid, this will turn the upper eye lid inwards causing the eyelashes to scratch the eye, therefore causing blindness

n      River blindness – this is caused by a parasitic worm and carried by flies

 

                           Poor vision or blindness can affect a child’s development, it is important to get your child interacting with the environment, it is crucial that you encourage mobility, even though you may fear your child getting hurt. Mobility will help them develop what they call a neural movement map in their brains. The more practice the better they will get at it. An orientation and mobility teacher can help you develop these skills so that you can teach them to your child. Talk to your child using normal language. Play with toys that have different textures, sounds and smells.

                   

                         Children who have poor vision or blindness can have good quality of life. It takes special skills on the part of the parent, and special services from professionals, to make sure this happens.

 

                        You can find many resources on the internet; one really good one I found was the Institute of deaf and blind children.

 

                        I hope this helps…………….