What are the different types of visual impairment?

Visual impairments are categorized into several degrees of severity, depending on the person’s remaining ability to distinguish shapes and details.

Discover in this COP9 article the different types of visual impairment, as well as the pathologies potentially responsible for poor vision, without forgetting the importance of a global and inclusive approach!

The different types of visual impairment: from low vision to blindness

The diagnosis of blindness can be a difficult time for many patients.

 

Before reaching this stage, there are different types of visual impairment. Many are first classified as visually impaired, often due to symptoms that appear gradually, such as reduced peripheral vision or difficulty distinguishing details.

 

These warning signs allow the ophthalmologist to make an accurate diagnosis and to best adapt the treatment and follow-up, in order to offer the patient support adapted to their visual condition.

Low vision

This is a significant reduction in visual acuity that cannot be corrected by glasses or lenses.

 

People with low vision can still distinguish objects, but their perception of details is severely reduced, even in the best lighting conditions.

Moderate visual impairment

Moderate visual impairment involves a significant reduction in the visual field.

 

The visually impaired person has difficulty performing daily tasks such as reading, moving around or recognizing faces without additional visual assistance.

Severe visual impairment

People with severe visual impairment have very limited perception of light and shapes.

 

They may require specific tools such as electronic magnification devices or hearing aids to compensate for the visually impaired person’s visual impairment.

Blindness

Blindness is characterized by a total absence of functional vision.

 

Visually impaired people do not perceive light or shapes and must rely on other senses to move around in their environment.

 

Blindness can be congenital or acquired as a result of illness or trauma. Only one eye or both eyes can be affected.

The pathologies responsible for the different types of visual impairment

Many pathologies can cause different types of visual impairment.

These conditions affect various parts of the eye and the optic nervous system, leading to serious vision problems.

Some, such as AMD or cataracts, are linked to the natural aging of the eye.

 

Our COP9 team reminds you that a regular ophthalmology appointment allows you to identify any visual problems and offer personalized visual rehabilitation and re-education.

Diabetic Retinopathy

This complication of diabetes affects the blood vessels of the retina, causing bleeding, leaking, and swelling of the retina.

 

If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause severe vision loss or even blindness.

 

This eye condition is one of the leading causes of poor vision in people with diabetes.

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa is a genetic degenerative disease affecting the retina.

 

It causes a progressive loss of peripheral vision, often called “tunnel vision,” before affecting central vision.

 

People with this condition often become completely blind.

Optic Neuritis

Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve, often caused by autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

 

It causes a sudden loss of vision which can be temporary or permanent, depending on the extent of damage to the optic nerve.

Chemical Burns

Chemical burns to the eyes, caused by exposure to toxic or corrosive products, can cause serious damage to the cornea and other structures of the eye.

 

These burns can cause severe visual impairment or even blindness, depending on the extent of the damage.

 

In this situation, it is important have an eye examination with your ophthalmologist as quickly as possible or go to an ophthalmology emergency room.

High myopia

High myopia, also called pathological myopia, is characterized by excessive elongation of the eyeball, which results in blurred distance vision.


In an advanced stage, it can lead to serious complications such as retinal detachment, the appearance of early cataracts or macular degeneration, leading to an irreversible loss of the field of vision.

The need for an inclusive approach for different types of visual impairment

Sensory impairments are not only limited to different types of visual impairment. Often, people with visual impairments can also face other disabilities, making their situation much more complex.

It is therefore essential to adopt an inclusive approach in order to support people with disabilities!

Efforts to provide suitable technical aids and raise awareness among the general public about these issues contribute to creating a sufficiently accessible and inclusive environment for people with visual impairments. This supportive climate allows them to fully integrate into society.

In conclusion

The different types of visual impairment often result from serious pathologies.

 

Although they significantly affect the quality of life, solutions exist to improve the autonomy of the people concerned and prevent, in some cases, the progression of the disorders.

 

Thanks to early detection by an ophthalmologist and the use of suitable tools, it is possible to correct some of the visual deficiencies and promote a better quality of life.

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