Visual impairment is characterized as the total or partial impairment of the visual capacity of one or both eyes, which cannot be corrected or improved with the use of lenses or clinical or surgical treatment.
This type of disability can be caused in two ways, the first being of congenital form, such as some eye malformation and some inherited eye diseases such as glaucoma.
The second could be from acquired form, such as eye trauma, senile degeneration of the corneas and even alterations related to arterial hypertension or diabetes can be causes of visual impairment.
It can be identified through the observation of actions such as the deviation of one eye, visual non-recognition of objects and people, low academic achievement and developmental delay.
Typically, it can be divided into two main groups:
- The low vision or low vision group, when the loss is mild, moderate, severe or profound and causes a decrease in visual responses, even after treatment and/or optical correction;
- blindness group, when there is a total absence of the visual response.
The diagnosis of visual impairment can be made very early, except in cases of degenerative diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma, which evolve over the years.
Types of visual impairment
According to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), the different degrees of visual impairment can be classified into:
low vision
This classification also comprises the mild, moderate or deep grades. It can be compensated with the use of magnifying glasses, magnifying glasses, telescopes and with the aid of canes and orientation training.
close to blindness
When the person is still able to distinguish light and shadow in the visual field, but already uses the Braille system to read and write and uses the voice resource to access electronic and digital programs. These people move with the aid of a cane and need orientation and mobility training.
Blindness
When in fact there is no perception of light and shadow. In these cases, the Braille system, the use of a cane and orientation and mobility training are essential.
visual impairment at school
In the school environment, the school itself can recommend to parents and guardians that they try to take the exam to identify students' visual impairment.
This exam is recommended whenever you notice behaviors related to reading difficulties, headaches and learning difficulties due to vision.
When the student is already diagnosed with some type of visual impairment, he has the right to use adapted materials, such as books in Braille and other types of resources that help them to learn adequate.
Literacy performed in Braille in children with total blindness or severe degrees of visual impairment is simultaneous with literacy process for other children at school, but with the essential support of Specialized Educational Service (AEE).
According to Decree 6,571, of September 17, 2008, the State has the duty to provide technical and financial so that specialized assistance to students with disabilities is present throughout the public network of teaching. But it is up to the school manager and the education departments to administer and request resources for this purpose.
See also the meaning of Deficiency and Intellectual Disability.