Visual Impairment
What is visual impairment?
Technically, visual impairment is defined as limitation of one or more functions of the eye and the visual system.
These functions include visual acuity which relates to the sharpness or clarity of vision, visual fields which describes what we normally see, and colour perception.
The most common conditions that cause low vision or blindness include:
- Aged related macular degeneration
- Albinism
- Cataracts
- Charles Bonnet Syndrome
- Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI)
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Glaucoma
- Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis
- Keratoconus
- Nystagmus
- Optic atrophy
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Stargardt’s disease
- Stroke.
Support from the NDIS
Advice, support and services available through the NDIS are designed to help people who are blind or have low vision to connect with the community and participate in every part of life, including employment
The NDIS offers support with daily living aids, technology, assisted living and more.
For adults to qualify for support from the NDIS, one of the following disability evidences will be required:
- Vision impairment questionnaire (17 years and over)
- Other: Visual acuity rating.
At home with Forsight
At Forsight, we support vision impaired and deafblind clients to live as independently as possible and get the most out of life. We work to help clients get out and about safely and with confidence.
In some homes we are able to provide sensory gardens and rooms designed to manage light sensitivities with, for example, customised lighting and black out curtains. Personalised pathways may also include music and art therapy with programs developed especially for vision impaired.