Low Vision & Geriatrics

Definition of Terms
Dr. John Dean O.D.
 Objectives
At the end of the discussion, you must be able to:

• Have a basic understanding of what is Low Vision.

• Be aware of the common terms being used in Low Vision
• Be able to relate the terms with basic knowledge in Optometric practice.

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What is low vision?

• Low Vision is a condition caused by eye diseases, in which visual acuity is 6/18
(20/70) or poorer in the better-seeing eye and cannot be corrected or improved
with regular eyeglasses.

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Visual acuity

• The resolving power of the eye, or the ability to see two separate objects as
separate. The normal eye can resolve two objects as separate (with adequate
illumination and contrast) if they are separated by an angular distance of 1
minute of an arc.

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Visual field

• The Visual Field refers to the total area in which objects can be seen in the side
(peripheral) vision as you focus your eyes on a central point.

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Eccentric fixation

• A condition that exists during both monocular and binocular vision in which an
off-foveal point in the retina of the deviating eye is used for fixation.

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Visual disorder

• It gives rise to anatomical changes in the visual organs.

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Visual impairment

• Functional loss from a visual disorder.

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Visual Disability

• It gives rise to vision-related changes in the skills and abilities.

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Visual Handicap

• It has a psychological and economic consequences of visual loss.

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Low vision aids

• Low Vision Aids are tools that help those with vision loss to maximize their
remaining vision and these devices fall into one of three broad categories:
Optical aids, Non-optical aids, Electronic devices.

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Magnification

• Magnification is the process of enlarging something only in appearance, not in

physical size.

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Geriatrics

• The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and

prevention of disease in older people and the problems specific to aging.

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Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

• Activities of Daily Living (ADL) are routine activities that people tend to do
everyday without needing assistance. There are six basic ADLs:
• Eating
• Bathing
• Dressing
• Toileting
• Transferring
• continence

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Quality of Life

• Quality of life is the general well-being of individuals and societies, outlining

negative and positive features of life. It observes satisfaction, including
everything from physical health, family, education, employment, wealth,
religious beliefs, finance, and environment.

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Assistive Devices

• Assistive devices and technologies are those whose primary purpose is to

maintain or improve an individual’s functioning and independence to facilitate
participation and to enhance overall well-being.

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Lower Central Acuity or Fluctuating Vision

• Persons with such condition may indicate a decrease of vision, haziness, or

foggy vision. Visually they report that they cannot read small prints.

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Metamorphosia

• Persons with metamorphosia describes distortion of vision. Objects appear to

bulge, curve or look funny.

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Photophobia

• Person either complains of abnormal sensitivity to light or avoid high levels of

illumination recovery, from glare, is slow and adaptation of light is difficult.

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Colour Defects

• Person indicates they cannot detect colours or functional observations show

that they have trouble identifying colours.

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Field Defects

• Persons report that they have vision in specified sectors of the visual field and
parts of the object to be viewed are always missing. Common losses include;
• General contraction or depression object in the periphery are not seen.
• Hemianopia
• Scotoma

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Night Blindness

• Persons indicate decreased vision at night and difficulty in performing specified

task at night. This condition can be confirmed by clinical test or
electrodiagnostic testing.

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Entoptic Images

• Persons with this condition sees floaters or spots before their eyes, which
momentarily interferes with vision. Such symptoms may indicate an acute
pathology.

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Oscillopsia

• Persons with this condition reports that the world seems to be moving.

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Question Time!
 • ESSAY:
 • What is Low Vision?
 • What do you expect from
this class?
 homework

• Prepare for a quiz on Common terms used in

Low Vision.
• List down general characteristics of Low Vision.

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End of Topic