What is the difference between Low Vision and Blindness ?

 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LOW VISION AND BLINDNESS -

Low vision and blindness are both conditions that affect a person's vision. While they are often used interchangeably, there are important differences between the two. In this article, we will discuss the differences between low vision and blindness, including their definitions, causes, and management.

Definition

1. Low vision is a condition in which a person's vision is reduced but not completely lost. People with low vision may have difficulty reading, seeing objects from a distance, or distinguishing colors. They may also experience glare or sensitivity to bright lights. Low vision can be caused by a variety of factors, including age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy.

2. Blindness, on the other hand, is a condition in which a person has no functional vision. This means that they cannot see at all or can only see light and darkness. Blindness can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic disorders, trauma, infections, and diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and optic neuropathy.

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act 2016 defines blindness and low vision as follows:

1. Blindness: According to the RPWD Act, a person is considered blind if they have a total absence of sight or visual acuity of less than 3/60 or a visual field of less than 10 degrees.

2. Low Vision: The RPWD Act defines low vision as visual acuity between 6/18 and 3/60 or a visual field between 10 and 20 degrees in the better eye, even with the use of corrective lenses.

These definitions are important as they determine a person's eligibility for certain benefits and protections under the law. For example, under the RPWD Act, people with blindness and low vision are entitled to a range of accommodations and support services to help them participate in society and live independently.

Causes

Low vision can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

1. Age-related macular degeneration: This is a condition that affects the macula, the part of the eye that is responsible for central vision. As people age, the macula can deteriorate, causing a loss of central vision.

2. Glaucoma: This is a group of eye diseases that can cause damage to the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. As the optic nerve is damaged, a person's peripheral vision can be affected.

3. Cataracts: This is a clouding of the eye's lens that can cause blurry vision and difficulty seeing in low light conditions.

4. Diabetic retinopathy: This is a complication of diabetes that can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the part of the eye that is responsible for sensing light and sending visual signals to the brain.

Blindness can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

1. Genetic disorders: There are a number of genetic disorders that can cause blindness, including retinitis pigmentosa, Leber's congenital amaurosis, and Usher syndrome.

2. Trauma: Injury to the eye or head can cause blindness.

3. Infections: Certain infections, such as meningitis and cytomegalovirus, can cause blindness.

4. Diseases: Certain diseases, such as optic neuropathy and retinal detachment, can cause blindness.

Management

Low vision can be managed through a variety of strategies, including:

1. Magnifiers: These are devices that can be used to enlarge text or images.

2. Assistive technology: There are a variety of assistive technology devices available, such as screen readers and speech recognition software, that can help people with low vision access information.

3. Lighting adjustments: Increasing the amount of light in a room or using glare-reducing filters can help people with low vision see more clearly.

4. Visual aids: These can include things like high-contrast pens or large-print materials.

Blindness can be managed through a variety of strategies, including:

1. Orientation and mobility training: This involves teaching people with blindness how to navigate their environment using techniques like echolocation and cane use.

2. Braille: Braille is a system of raised dots that can be read by touch. It is commonly used by people with blindness to read written material.

3. Assistive technology: There are a variety of assistive technology devices available, such as screen readers and text-to-speech software, that can help people with blindness access information.

4. Service animals: Guide dogs can be trained to assist people with blindness in navigating their environment.