8/2/2019 06 Impact of Sight Loss
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30 M a r c h 2 0 1 2
FEATURE practice
F E A T
U R E
Understanding
the impact ofsight loss
The impact of vision loss can be
under-estimated by many within
our society. Those of us that workwithin this client group are fully
aware of the impact of vision loss on
someone’s independence and ability to
complete tasks of daily living.
With an ageing population many people
will experience age-related vision loss
conditions, so it is important to educate
those who work with this client group
about the impact of vision loss and ensure
that people with vision loss are identified
and have access to the services they need
from a well-trained workforce.
Vision is our primary sense, which helps
us interpret the world around us. It is
estimated that up to 80 per cent of
information is gathered through our sight.
For this reason, if the sense is impaired in
any way a person’s ability to collect the
information normally acquired from the
environment is greatly reduced.
Sight is essential for most activities and
any loss of vision can reduce an individual’s
independence and quality of life.
There are many eye conditions that can
impair someone’s sight, but the most
common two in the aging population are
cataracts and age-related maculardegeneration (ARMD).
A cataract is the clouding of the normally
clear lens of the eye. This happens over time
and is commonly linked with the aging
process. ARMD is a progressive disease of
the retina, which results in the loss of
central vision – used for detailed tasks such
as reading and writing.
Initial symptoms of ARMD can be dark
patches or empty space within the centre of
someone’s vision, distortion where straight
lines may appear wavy or bent, and
difficulty in reading or other activities that
require fine vision.
Distinguishing faces can also become a
problem. With either of these conditions
people may experience issues with reducedacuities, reduced night vision, sensitivity to
glare, poor colour sensitivity, or a need for
increased light when performing daily
activities. Any of these symptoms are an
indication that the individual may have an
eye condition that could cause vision loss.
Vision impairment will impact on each
person in a different way, but there are
some common difficulties:
●● reading a book, a newspaper, mail,
instructions on food packets, telephone
dictionary, an address book, or a bill;
●● when writing, a person with vision loss
may report that letters end up on top of
each other or words run off the line;
●● seeing the number buttons on a
telephone;
●● seeing a clock or watch face when trying
to read the time;
●● identifying coins;
●● locating the key hole when unlocking a
door;
●● judging water levels in a cup when
preparing a hot drink;
●● seeing the temperature dial for the oven
when cooking; and
●●mobilising around the home whenmoving from a light to dark area, due to
difficulty adjusting to different light
levels.
OTs assist with a number of strategies
that can be implemented to assist someone
in increasing or retaining their
independence, while working with other
professionals such as optometrists and
orientation and mobility instructors.
Strategies commonly used include
making things bigger, by: using large print
personal diaries and phone books;
photocopying or a computer to enlarge
recipes, the TV guide and music; moving
closer to the object; using a black marker
pen and bold lined paper for writing; and
using a magnifier for reading or for otherdetailed activities.
Also making things bolder, by: using
black on white, or white on black
background for good contrast, for example a
plain dark table cloth/mats and white
crockery when eating, using a blue
chopping board when preparing vegetables,
as this provides good contrast and there are
no blue food items, and large knitting
needles that are a different colour to the
wool, for example red knitting needles and
blue wool.
Strategies for making things brighter
include: improving general and/or specific
task lighting; ensuring people use lights
throughout the day and night; ensuring that
light provision within a room is even, to
assist that person with navigating their
environment and to reduce the risk of falls;
using different types of lights, such as
halogen, fluorescent and LED to identify
what is best for an individual; wearing UV
shields or placing diffusers over lights to
reduce glare; and thinking about lighting to
enable a person to complete a task
independently.
The use of other senses is also important. With touch, people could be encouraged to
use tactile markers, for example sticking
Velcro on either side of a key hole, or on
microwave buttons. With hearing, people
can use talking and audible devices, such as
talking clocks and watches. Taste is used to
identify food.
Finally be organised and consistent.
Always keep items in the same place and
keep doors open or shut consistently.
●● Claire Farrell has spent 12 months working
with the Royal Society for the Blind in South
Australia
Sight is one of our primary senses and its loss can result in
difficulties for a person’s independence and quality of life.
Claire Farrell shares a number of strategies that can be put in place
to assist an individual to maintain their independence within their own
home environment
© i S t o c k p h
o t o
Features.indd 30 24/02/2012 12:39