LEARNERS WITH DIFFICULTY IN SEEING

Two General Definitions of blindness:

1. Legal Definition- is based on measurement of visual acuity, field of vision and peripheral vision
>Visual Acuity is the ability to clearly distinguish forms or discriminate details at a specific distance.

>Field of Vision- refers to the area that normal eyes cover above , below and on both sides when
looking at an object or when gazing straight ahead.

>Peripheral Vision- covers the outer ranges of the field of vision

Tunnel Vision- results from an extremely restricted field of vision.

Legal Blindness- refers to the condition where visual acuity is 20/200 in the better eye after the
best possible condition with glasses or contact lenses.

2. Educational Definition- not all legally blind persons are totally blind. In total blindness the
person is absolutely without sight but may have light and movement perception and travel vision.

Degrees of Blindness includes:

> Light Perception (person can differentiate between light and dark, day and night)

>Movement perception- (person can detect if an object or person is in motion or in still position)

>Travel Vision- (field of vision is enough to travel safely in familiar areas)

HOW VISION TAKES PLACE

The basic function of the eye is to collect visual stimuli and information in the form of mechanical
energy from the environment through the psychological process called SENSATION.
During the process of vision, the stimuli are converted into electrochemical form of nerve impulses
through the process of TRANSDUCTION.

Three conditions for vision to take place

1. The eyes are stimulated by light rays of illumination which are in the form of mechanical energy

2. The light rays are reflected from objects in the visual field.

3. The mechanical energy is converted into nerve impulses which the brain processes into visual
images.

TYPES AND CAUSES OF PROBLEMS OF VISION

The inability of the eyes to function efficiently may be traced to:

> Errors of Refraction
> Imbalance of the eye muscles
> Disease
> Trauma or Accidents

1. Errors of Refraction
Hyperopia or Farsightedness- The lens fail to focus the light rays from near objects on the retina

Myopia or Nearsightedness- The opposite takes place

Astigmatism- the cornea which formally forms a portion of a spherical lens is deformed , the
reflection of the light rays becomes faulty and blurred vision results.

2. Imbalance of Eye Muscle

Strabismus- different images are cast on each retina resulting to cross-eyedness or squinting

Diplopia or double vision- results when the brain cannot fuse the differences in the images cast
on the retina into a single image
Amblyopia- occurs when vision is suppressed in one eye and it becomes weak of useless.

Nystagmus- Is a condition in which there are rapid involuntary movements of the eyeball that can
result to nausea and vomiting and dizziness.

3. Disease of the Eye

Cataract- is caused by the clouding of lens which results to progressive blurring of vision and
eventually blindness occurs.

Disease of the Retina- the most sensitive part of the visual mechanism, can be congenital or
present at birth. They occur during pregnancy.
-Coloboma
-Retinis Pigmentosa
-Glaucoma

4. Trauma or Accidents

SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS , AIDS AND TECHNOLOGY FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE BLIND AND
WITH LOW VISION

1.Braille-a system of reading and writing in which letters, words, numbers and other systems are
made from arrangements of raised or embossed dots.

2. Blind students use the regular typewriter to communicate.

3. Manipulatives and tactile aids are used in learning mathematics, sciences and social studies

4. Technological aids are available for blind persons

5. Assistive technology enables blind person to access the personal computer

WHEN A STUDENT WHO IS BLIND OR HAS LOW VISION IS MAINSTREAMED IN YOUR CLASS

How can you make your students with visual impairment feel comfortable in your classroom? The
following rules will help you:

1.It may sound odd to us who can see, but we use the word ‘’looks’’ and ‘’see’’ when communicating
with blind person.

2. Introduce him or her as you would any of your students.

3. Include him/her in all activities.

4. All children want to be a leader in class activities. Extend the same opportunity to the blind child.
5. The same disciplinary rules that apply to the rest of the class should apply as well to the child
with visual impairment.

6. Encourages the blind child to move about the classroom to get the materials or to do certain
activities.

7. Give verbal instructions of oral cues since the blind child does not see facial expressions like a
nod (say yes instead),(say please explain it further).

8. Provide space to accommodate his/her special materials.

9. Motivate the seeing classmates to become interested in topics related to vision and visual
impairment.

10. Your acceptance of the child with visual impairment will serve as a positive example to his or
her seeing classmates.
11. When approaching the blind student, unless he or she knows you, always say who you are
instead of asking him or her to guess who you.

12. The blind student may exhibit certain mannerism like rocking, flapping the fingers in front of
the eye.