Contribution to rehabilitation aids in low vision

Jordanoska, Ana and Gazepov, Strahil (2024) Contribution to rehabilitation aids in low vision. Knowledge – International Journal, 63 (4). pp. 413-418. ISSN 2545-4439

Text CONTRIBUTION TO REHABILITATION AIDS IN LOW VISION.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication. Download (1MB)

Abstract

Low vision is a global problem which has been dating since the existence of the civilization. The
prevalence of both blindness and low vision in USA is estimated to be 3.5 million annually, predominantly at the
age of >40, regarding the twofold growth by 2030, for the most part if appropriate corrective treatment is not taken
over. When epidemiologic aspects are considered, the rate of low vision is higher in the developing countries, while
regarding the gender, the prevalence is higher in females than that in males. It can be stated that low vision disorders
are widespread among all age groups, considering the sentence that >80% of people with low vision problems are
aged beyond 50 years. Concerning the etiological conditions which can lead to low vision, refractive errors are the
most frequent cause covering 42%, which are succeeded by cataracta, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular
degeneration, and from the infections trachoma, which covers 1% of all cases. Among the refractive errors, the most
frеquent are considered nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia and astigmatism. Some of the conditions can be
treated surgically, achieving complete resolution of the low vision disorder after surgery. Despite these, low vision
can be triggered by some neurological conditions, including cerebral ischaemia, trauma and other conditions which
involve the sight center in the cerebral cortex. Low vision also can be observed as a public health problem, since it
has impact on the psychosocial life of one. Difficulties in fulfilling daily tasks, the challenges which must be faced
by using some of the aids, fininacial considerations for finding the optimal solution are some of the problems which
these patients have to cope with. Additionally, these challenges can lead to depression and other emotional
impairments. Regarding the rapid growth of medical technology and science, more specifically at the area of
ophthalmology, numerous inventions were discovered, in relation to sophistication and facilitated use of the low
vision aids. Some of the high-quality aids which are available in the modern world require a specific skill to be
acquired, aiming the best possible benefit from their use. For this skill to be obtained, medical training being held
by a health professional is necessary, concerning the main purpose maximum benefit to be gained from the usage of
the aid. This article gives a review of different modalities for all current aids and techniques applied for low vision
treatment which are available at the latest scientific medicine. Some of them apply advanced information technology
techniques. However, all of them have the unique aim to ease the various daily tasks of the patients and therefore to
enable them to live a life with difficulties and obstacles produced by low vision as less as possible. Furthermore,
they are also applied for saving the patient’s residual vision as more as possible.
Keywords: Treatment, correction, lenses, magnification, residual sight

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Treatment, correction, lenses, magnification, residual sight
Subjects:	Medical and Health Sciences > Clinical medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Medical Science
Depositing User:	Strahil Gazepov
Date Deposited:	08 Apr 2024 10:33
Last Modified:	08 Apr 2024 10:33
URI:	https://eprints.ugd.edu.mk/id/eprint/33991

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