This document defines visual impairment and describes various types of visual impairments including their causes and challenges they present in the classroom. It discusses identifying visual impairments and making educational provisions and accommodations for students with visual impairments, including decisions around placement, curriculum, implementation and use of tools and technology. The key types of visual impairments discussed are refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism), color blindness, retinal conditions (retinopathy of prematurity, macular degeneration), glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, amblyopia and strabismus.

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Visual ImpairmentVisual Impairment
TLSE 240TLSE 240

2. 2
Meaning of VisualMeaning of Visual
ImpairmentsImpairments
Visually impaired children may be definedVisually impaired children may be defined
as those children who suffer from theas those children who suffer from the
impaired conditions, difficulties andimpaired conditions, difficulties and
deficiencies presentdeficiencies present in their visual organsin their visual organs
which make them different from childrenwhich make them different from children
with normal vision to extent of requiringwith normal vision to extent of requiring
special education provision.special education provision.

3. 3
Definitions of VisualDefinitions of Visual
ImpairmentsImpairments
Visual Impairments /blend/Visual Impairments /blend/
-- vision cannot be primary learning channelvision cannot be primary learning channel
Partially SightedPartially Sighted
-- some useful vision – person may see colorssome useful vision – person may see colors
and figures with blurringand figures with blurring
-- vision between 20/70 and 20/200vision between 20/70 and 20/200
Legal definition: any of the followingLegal definition: any of the following
-- only reads first E with both eyesonly reads first E with both eyes
-- 20/200 vision with glasses20/200 vision with glasses
-- tunnel vision (less than 20 degrees)tunnel vision (less than 20 degrees)

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Types of VisualTypes of Visual
ImpairmentsImpairments
1.1. Hyperopia (far sightedness)Hyperopia (far sightedness)
Can see objects of far away but not nearCan see objects of far away but not near
Cause : size of eye ball is too shorter.Cause : size of eye ball is too shorter.
22.. Myopia (near sightedness)Myopia (near sightedness)
Can see objects of near but not far awayCan see objects of near but not far away
Cause : size of eye ball is too longerCause : size of eye ball is too longer
3.3. AstigmatismAstigmatism
Cause : irregularity in cornea or eye surfaceCause : irregularity in cornea or eye surface
Cannot focus at one object regularly.Cannot focus at one object regularly.

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4.4. Color Blindness :Color Blindness :
Genetic causes – natal, prenatal, postnatalGenetic causes – natal, prenatal, postnatal
Problem with cones cells of the eyeProblem with cones cells of the eye
Decreased ability to differenciate between colorsDecreased ability to differenciate between colors
5.5. Retinopathy of Prematurity:Retinopathy of Prematurity:
This condition is common in children who wereThis condition is common in children who were
premature babies that required highpremature babies that required high
concentration of oxygen at birth. Scarring andconcentration of oxygen at birth. Scarring and
detachment of the retina can result from thisdetachment of the retina can result from this
condition.condition.
6.6. Macular D Generation:Macular D Generation:
Loss of central visionLoss of central vision
Two objects looks like oneTwo objects looks like one

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7.7. Glaucoma :Glaucoma :
Due to the blockage of the fluids that normallyDue to the blockage of the fluids that normally
circulate within the eyecirculate within the eye
Deficiency in formation of eyesDeficiency in formation of eyes
8.8. Diabetic Retinopathy :Diabetic Retinopathy :
Cause : disease of diabetesCause : disease of diabetes
Diabetes unusual interference with the bloodDiabetes unusual interference with the blood
supply to the retinasupply to the retina
May result in serious vision impairement i.e. totalMay result in serious vision impairement i.e. total
blindness.blindness.
9.9. Cataract :Cataract :
Condition or state of cloudiness in the lens into aCondition or state of cloudiness in the lens into a
distorted or incomplete visiondistorted or incomplete vision
Because of neurological vision loss of both eyesBecause of neurological vision loss of both eyes

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1010. Amblyopea :. Amblyopea :
one eye vision loss due to muscle imbalanceone eye vision loss due to muscle imbalance
Lazy eyeLazy eye
Child sees two images of the one objectChild sees two images of the one object
11.11. Crossed eye :Crossed eye :
It represents an inability of the individual to focusIt represents an inability of the individual to focus
on the same object with both eyeson the same object with both eyes
simultaneously.simultaneously.
12.12. Coloboma:Coloboma: a condition in which the centrala condition in which the central
areas of the retina of a new born are foundareas of the retina of a new born are found
incomplete in their formation. It may be seriousincomplete in their formation. It may be serious
impairement.impairement.

8. 8
Challenges of VisualChallenges of Visual
Impairment in the ClassroomImpairment in the Classroom
Fewer opportunities to acquire informationFewer opportunities to acquire information
visually ( i.e. maps ,art)visually ( i.e. maps ,art)
Learning DifficultiesLearning Difficulties
-- may read very slowly –fall behindmay read very slowly –fall behind
-- difficult to meet the demandsdifficult to meet the demands of generalof general
education classroomeducation classroom
Social difficultiesSocial difficulties
-- can’t catch non-verbal cues from otherscan’t catch non-verbal cues from others
-- inability to judge distance ( i.e. stand tooinability to judge distance ( i.e. stand too
close when socializing)close when socializing)

9. 9
Identification of VisualIdentification of Visual
ImpairmentsImpairments
Complaints of headacheComplaints of headache
Blinks eye frequentlyBlinks eye frequently
Holds objects close to his eyesHolds objects close to his eyes
Rub eyes excessivelyRub eyes excessively
The pupils of the eyes are of different sizesThe pupils of the eyes are of different sizes
Seem very sensitive to lightSeem very sensitive to light
Becomes inattentive during reading sessionsBecomes inattentive during reading sessions
Watering of eyesWatering of eyes
Takes false steps while walkingTakes false steps while walking

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Causes of VisualCauses of Visual
ImpairmentsImpairments
Transfer of genes associated from the parentsTransfer of genes associated from the parents
Carelessness adopted by pregnant mothersCarelessness adopted by pregnant mothers
Mishaps and incidentsMishaps and incidents
Unfavorable conditions .i.e. starvation,Unfavorable conditions .i.e. starvation,
malnutrition etcmalnutrition etc
Eye infections and eye diseasesEye infections and eye diseases
Evil effects of fatal diseaseEvil effects of fatal disease
Improper postures adopted at work placesImproper postures adopted at work places
Reading, writing and working in defective andReading, writing and working in defective and
improper lightsimproper lights

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Educational provisions for VisualEducational provisions for Visual
ImpairmentsImpairments
A.A. Decision concerning educationalDecision concerning educational
placementplacement :-:-
a. Regular class rooma. Regular class room
b. Itinerant teacher programb. Itinerant teacher program
c. Resource room programc. Resource room program
d. Full time special classd. Full time special class

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Educational provisions for VisualEducational provisions for Visual
ImpairmentsImpairments
B.B. Decision concerning curriculum :-Decision concerning curriculum :-
a. Personal competence, self adjustments anda. Personal competence, self adjustments and
daily living skillsdaily living skills
b. Orientation and mobilityb. Orientation and mobility
c. Communication skillsc. Communication skills
d. Vocational guidance & career developmentd. Vocational guidance & career development
e. Use of special aids and equipments like :e. Use of special aids and equipments like :
tape and cassette recorderstape and cassette recorders
Talking booksTalking books
Personal computers and typewritersPersonal computers and typewriters
BrailleBraille
Large type materialsLarge type materials
..

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Educational provisions for VisualEducational provisions for Visual
ImpairmentsImpairments
CC.. Decision concerning curriculumDecision concerning curriculum
implementationimplementation :-:-
a. Development of essential skills fora. Development of essential skills for
gaining information and knowledgegaining information and knowledge
 Training in the use of Braille systemTraining in the use of Braille system
 Provision of low vision aids with necessaryProvision of low vision aids with necessary
trainingtraining
b. Development of listening skillsb. Development of listening skills
c. Orientation and mobility trainingc. Orientation and mobility training
d. Development of independent living skillsd. Development of independent living skills

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Tools and Technology for the visualTools and Technology for the visual
impairmentsimpairments
Special software programs and closed circuitSpecial software programs and closed circuit
televisions enlarge the text on a screen until it istelevisions enlarge the text on a screen until it is
large enough to read. E.g. kyanlarge enough to read. E.g. kyan
Computerised speech systems read text directlyComputerised speech systems read text directly
from the screen to the user. The text can befrom the screen to the user. The text can be
converted into Braille that is displayed directly onconverted into Braille that is displayed directly on
a specially modified keyboard and read bya specially modified keyboard and read by
touch.touch.
Audio description which help people with sightAudio description which help people with sight
problems enjoy television, dvd’s or theatre.problems enjoy television, dvd’s or theatre.

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Classroom Accommodation :Classroom Accommodation :
1.1. Welcoming the studentWelcoming the student
2.2. SafetySafety
3.3. SeatingSeating
4.4. Assigmnent and examination.Assigmnent and examination.

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Visual ImpairmentsVisual Impairments
TLSE 240TLSE 240