Visual impairment can be caused by a variety of factors, including medical conditions and genetic issues. Treatment options include corrective lenses, medications, and surgery. Legal blindness is defined as vision that cannot be corrected to at least a 20/200 level. Some individuals may be visually impaired even if their vision is better than 20/200.
Visual impairment is a condition that occurs when an individual’s vision cannot be corrected to a level considered normal. Often, these individuals can wear corrective lenses, but in some cases the lenses may not help. Those with low vision may be considered legally blind or totally blind, depending on the level of the problem. Even people with legal blindness may be able to see to some extent and perform many daily functions adequately.
The causes of visual impairment vary widely. They can be related to lesions around the eye, a genetic issue, or a variety of medical conditions. Some of these conditions can manifest symptoms early in life, but others can wait years to manifest themselves as individuals get older. Some, such as diabetes, may only develop in individuals later in life. The sooner the underlying cause of a possible vision impairment is found, the better the chance of successfully treating the condition.
Treatment of vision impairment often depends on the circumstances, but in the event that the underlying cause cannot be treated, the strategy is simply to improve vision as much as possible. To do this, corrective lenses are usually used. Some individuals may benefit from medications, surgery, or a combination of surgery and corrective lenses. In most cases, medical or health insurance can pay for treatment, especially if the problem is considered serious enough.
While the definition of visual impairment is somewhat subjective, the definition of legal blindness is not. Being legally blind means that an individual’s vision cannot be corrected to at least a 20/200 level. Perfect vision is considered 20/20. Whether or not a person is considered visually impaired if their vision is better than 20/200 depends on the definition used in that particular case.
Visual impairment can apply not only to severe cases of nearsightedness and farsightedness, but also limited peripheral vision and other vision problems. Some individuals may have a very narrow field of vision or others may see objects or spots that shouldn’t be there. If doctors are unable to correct these problems, individuals who suffer from them may also be considered visually impaired.
In some cases, people with vision impairment may not have any problems with their eyes at all. Rather, the connection between the eyes and the brain may be damaged. Only an ophthalmologist, along with perhaps a neurologist, may be able to tell for sure what the root problem is. People who think they have a problem should see a doctor or ophthalmologist.
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