8/2/2019 06 Impact of Sight Loss

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30  M a r c h 2 0 1 2

FEATURE practice

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Understanding

the impact ofsight loss

The impact of vision loss can be

under-estimated by many within

our society. Those of us that workwithin this client group are fully

aware of the impact of vision loss on

someone’s independence and ability to

complete tasks of daily living.

 With an ageing population many people

will experience age-related vision loss

conditions, so it is important to educate

those who work with this client group

about the impact of vision loss and ensure

that people with vision loss are identified

and have access to the services they need

from a well-trained workforce.

Vision is our primary sense, which helps

us interpret the world around us. It is

estimated that up to 80 per cent of 

information is gathered through our sight.

For this reason, if the sense is impaired in

any way a person’s ability to collect the

information normally acquired from the

environment is greatly reduced.

Sight is essential for most activities and

any loss of vision can reduce an individual’s

independence and quality of life.

There are many eye conditions that can

impair someone’s sight, but the most

common two in the aging population are

cataracts and age-related maculardegeneration (ARMD).

A cataract is the clouding of the normally

clear lens of the eye. This happens over time

and is commonly linked with the aging

process. ARMD is a progressive disease of 

the retina, which results in the loss of 

central vision – used for detailed tasks such

as reading and writing.

Initial symptoms of ARMD can be dark

patches or empty space within the centre of 

someone’s vision, distortion where straight

lines may appear wavy or bent, and

difficulty in reading or other activities that

require fine vision.

Distinguishing faces can also become a

problem. With either of these conditions

people may experience issues with reducedacuities, reduced night vision, sensitivity to

glare, poor colour sensitivity, or a need for

increased light when performing daily

activities. Any of these symptoms are an

indication that the individual may have an

eye condition that could cause vision loss.

Vision impairment will impact on each

person in a different way, but there are

some common difficulties:

●● reading a book, a newspaper, mail,

instructions on food packets, telephone

dictionary, an address book, or a bill;

●● when writing, a person with vision loss

may report that letters end up on top of 

each other or words run off the line;

●● seeing the number buttons on a

telephone;

●● seeing a clock or watch face when trying

to read the time;

●● identifying coins;

●● locating the key hole when unlocking a

door;

●● judging water levels in a cup when

preparing a hot drink;

●● seeing the temperature dial for the oven

when cooking; and

●●mobilising around the home whenmoving from a light to dark area, due to

difficulty adjusting to different light

levels.

OTs assist with a number of strategies

that can be implemented to assist someone

in increasing or retaining their

independence, while working with other

professionals such as optometrists and

orientation and mobility instructors.

Strategies commonly used include

making things bigger, by: using large print

personal diaries and phone books;

photocopying or a computer to enlarge

recipes, the TV guide and music; moving

closer to the object; using a black marker

pen and bold lined paper for writing; and

using a magnifier for reading or for otherdetailed activities.

Also making things bolder, by: using

black on white, or white on black

background for good contrast, for example a

plain dark table cloth/mats and white

crockery when eating, using a blue

chopping board when preparing vegetables,

as this provides good contrast and there are

no blue food items, and large knitting

needles that are a different colour to the

wool, for example red knitting needles and

blue wool.

Strategies for making things brighter

include: improving general and/or specific

task lighting; ensuring people use lights

throughout the day and night; ensuring that

light provision within a room is even, to

assist that person with navigating their

environment and to reduce the risk of falls;

using different types of lights, such as

halogen, fluorescent and LED to identify

what is best for an individual; wearing UV

shields or placing diffusers over lights to

reduce glare; and thinking about lighting to

enable a person to complete a task

independently.

The use of other senses is also important. With touch, people could be encouraged to

use tactile markers, for example sticking

Velcro on either side of a key hole, or on

microwave buttons. With hearing, people

can use talking and audible devices, such as

talking clocks and watches. Taste is used to

identify food.

Finally be organised and consistent.

Always keep items in the same place and

keep doors open or shut consistently.

●● Claire Farrell has spent 12 months working

with the Royal Society for the Blind in South

Australia

Sight is one of our primary senses and its loss can result in

difficulties for a person’s independence and quality of life.

Claire Farrell shares a number of strategies that can be put in place

to assist an individual to maintain their independence within their own

home environment

 ©  i S t o c  k p  h

 o t o

Features.indd 30 24/02/2012 12:39