Blindness & Visual impairments

Experience with Visual Impairment
- Q: Do you have any experience with someone who has a visual impairment?
- A: No
Criteria for Visual Impairment
- Q: Do you have to be totally blind to be considered as visually impaired?
- A: No

Visual Impairment
- Acuity vs. Visual Field
- Normal visual field: 180°
Legal Blindness
- Defined as:
- Acuity of 20/200 or worse with the best correction (approximately 10% vision)
- Visual field less than 10° (often referred to as tunnel vision)
Total Blindness
- Defined as:
- Inability to recognize a strong light shown directly into the eye
- Over 80% of individuals have residual vision, which means less than 20% are totally blind

More than 80% have residual vision, while less than 20% are totally blind.
Options provided as possible answers on a question:
- A) 60% and 40%
- B) 80% and 20% (Correct: 80% and 20%)

Classification Categories:
- B1 - Total to Very Low Residual Vision
- Without light perception in either eye up to being able to perceive light without recognizing hand shapes.
- Sports: swimming, judo, wrestling independently.
- Track events with a guide.
- B2 - Low Residual Vision
- Recognizes hand shapes up to a visual acuity of 2/60 and/or a field of vision limitation of 5°.
- Can perform many activities independently with sunlight or bright indoor lighting.
- B3 - Better Residual Vision
- Acuity between 2/60 to 6/60 (20/200) and a field of vision between 5° and 20°.
- Generally, no guides are used except for high-risk activities (e.g., rock climbing, downhill skiing).

Blind Alpine Skier at the Paralympics
Skiing
- Recreational skiing: 99% are guided from behind.
- Ski racing: nearly 100% are guided from the front.

Approximately 8,000 people in Quebec are legally blind.
Age demographics:
- 50% are over 65 years old.
- 10% are under 20 years old.
Realities of Vision Loss:
- 1 in 3 adults with vision loss are employed.
- They are 3 times more likely to experience depression.
- Higher risk of social isolation.

Common Conditions:
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Macular Degeneration
- Retinal Detachment
Example of Eye Condition:
- Cataracts

Diabetic Retinopathy
- Leading cause of blindness in ages between 20 and 65 years.
- A complication of diabetes that damages tiny blood vessels in the retina, which is not reversible.
- Presented with a comparison of a normal retina vs diabetic retina.
Cataracts
- Especially prevalent in senior citizens.
- Defined as the clouding of the natural lens responsible for focusing light and producing clear images.
Glaucoma
- Disease that increases fluid pressure inside the eye leading to a loss of side vision, potentially leading to total blindness.
- Pressure increases can destroy the optic nerve.
- Patients are advised to avoid isometric exercises due to spikes in blood pressure.
Macular Degeneration
- Gradual loss of vision caused by degeneration of the macula, vital for detailed central vision, often affecting individuals aged 66 to 74 years.
- Macula's role is critical for activities that require detailed central vision, such as reading.
Retinal Detachment
- Associated with a tear or hole in the retina.
- Can result from injuries or complications due to diabetic retinopathy.

The key reminder: People with vision problems are not deaf.
When offering assistance:
- Be direct and respectful.
- Avoid grabbing a blind person’s arm; allow them to take yours instead.
Key pointers in walking and talking:
- Refrain from pointing or using vague references (e.g., “over there”).
- Always ask about their visual abilities first if unsure.
- Describe surroundings when outside.
- Never distract or feed a guide dog; allow the individual to set the pace.

Sports leveraging proprioception include bowling and dart throwing.
Precise verbal instruction is essential (state your name).
Sight is not required for many sports; specific examples: wrestling, tumbling, gymnastics, etc.
Ensure good lighting (particularly for B2 and B3) and importance of color contrast with bright colors in team sports.
It is crucial to eliminate excessive noise during activities like Goal Ball and beep baseball.
Recommended physical activities include:
- Wrestling, tumbling, gymnastics, bowling, swimming, weight training, judo, dart throwing, dance, and more.

A study involved 20 children with visual impairments aged 4 to 18 years at the Montreal Association for the Blind, involving two 30-minute sessions of physical education weekly.
- Metrics measured: body fat and grip strength.
Lack of regular vigorous activity predisposes visually impaired children and adolescents to future hypokinetic diseases (e.g., hypertension, coronary artery disease).
Heart Rate Calculation:
- Age-Predicted Maximal Heart Rate = 220 - Age
- Measures of Maximal Oxygen Consumption are relevant for assessing fitness levels.

Available information on the subject is very limited yet indicates positive outcomes:
- Improvements in cardiovascular fitness, obesity reduction, balance skills, self-image, and spatial orientation.
Recommended activities to enhance spatial orientation include:
- Practicing walking a straight line and following various floor patterns.
- Taking short walks and practicing turning instructions such as ¼, ½, ¾, and full turns.

Required equipment includes a specific bell ball.
Teams consist of three players, with protective gear including helmets and pads, and players are blindfolded during play.

Points are scored by rolling the ball across the opponent's goal.
The ball must be rolling when it reaches the opponent’s throwing area to avoid infractions.
Players may adopt standing, kneeling, or lying positions to stop the ball using any body part.

The game utilizes a regulation-size baseball diamond with specific modifications for visually impaired players.
Bases are 48 inches tall and are equiped with an electronic buzzer
A specialized regulation softball contains a sound device activated upon hitting or throwing.

Each team has six blindfolded players complemented by two sighted players (pitcher and catcher).
Runs scored when the batter reaches a designated base before the ball is fielded.