Topic 5: Visual Function

cataracts

hazy, cloudy vision

glaucoma

loss of PERIPHERAL vision

diabetic retinopathy

retinal damage leads to blind spots

homonymous hemianopsia

loss of entire half of visual field in both eyes

• Right HH → loss of right half of visual field d/t lesions on left side of brain

macular degeneration

loss of CENTRAL vision

convergence

bringing objects into focus with both eyes as it comes near using central vision

saccades

quick movements of eye from one target to another and focus the target in clear, central vision

pursuits

follow a slow moving target and keep it in central vision

scanning

visually searching the environment

fixation

ability to sustain a gaze on an object in central vision, impacted by macular degeneration

visual field cut vs low vision

visual field cut → can see clearly, but part of your visual field is missing

• commonly caused by stroke or TBI

low vision → general decrease quality and visual ability (blurry, reduced, or distorted)

• includes glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and cataracts

compensatory interventions to support low vision

• move items closer/farther

• use tactile substitutions

• organize personal spaces

• organizational scanning strategies

• visual anchors

adaptation interventions to support low vision

• increased lighting/contrast

• overlays

• magnifiers

• glare filters

• increase size of print

• auditory AE