Frequency of low vision patient and their causes presenting in Madinah Teaching Hospital, Pakistan

The World Health Organization describes a person with low vision as” one who has an impairment of visual function, even after treatment and/or standard refractive correction, and has a visual acuity of less than 6/18 to light perception or a visual field of less than 10 degrees from the point of fixation, but who uses, or is potentially able to use, vision for the planning and/or execution of a task.1 Eye diseases or conditions can cause visual impairment. Some of the more common causes of low vision include macular degeneration is a disorder that affects the retina, the light sensitive lining at the back of eye where images are focused.2 The macula the area on the retina responsible for sharp central vision deteriorates, causing blurred vision difficulty reading. Diabetic retinopathy people with diabetes can experience day to day change in their vision and /or visual functioning as a result of the disease. Retinitis pigmentosa gradually destroys night vision, severely reduces side vision and may result in total vision impairment. In amblyopia the visual system fails to develop normally during childhood.3 Retinopathy of prematurity occurs in infants born prematurity. Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve. Signs of damage are defects in peripheral vision and difficulty with night vision. Retinal detachment the retina separates from its underlying layer. It can cause total vision impairment in the affected eye. Cataract is a clouding of part of the entire lens inside the eye.4 People with low vision may experience the following symptoms loss of central vision, night blindness, loss of peripheral vision, blurred vision and hazy vision.5 There are many signs of vision loss including finding it difficult or impossible to read write watch television drive a car recognize faces. It may be difficult to set dials and manage glare. With low vision you might have trouble picking out and matching the color of your clothes.6 Vision loss has a substantial impact on activities of daily living, symptoms of depression and feelings of anxiety.7 Low vision can occur at any stage in life, but it primarily affects the elderly. It is estimated that approximately 17 percent of people over the age of 65 are either or have low vision.8 A number of rehabilitation professionals provide services for low vision patients, including ophthalmologists, optometrist, occupational therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, vision rehabilitation teachers, assistants in low vision, psychologists, and social workers.9 The ophthalmologist should know of the availability of local services and must be able to initiate an appropriate referral. Oriention and mobility specialists help patients whose ability to move about safely is compromised by vision loss.10 Through skill training, independent movement (aided by a long cane, remaining visual cues, or a telescope if residual vision is adequate) is encouraged and maintained.11