Publisher's Synopsis
Visual impairment refers to any abnormality of the eyes, the optic nerve, or the brain that may result in low or loss of vision, affecting visual acuity or visual fields. Common causes among adults include age-related eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, alongside potential birth defects. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.2 million Americans over 40 suffer from uncorrectable vision impairment, with about 1.2 million being blind as of 2012. These numbers are projected to double by 2050 due to an aging population and increasing chronic diseases. The Visual Impairment and Rehabilitation Sourcebook, Second Edition offers comprehensive insights into visual disability, its impact, and rehabilitation. It begins with an overview of disability and visual impairment, providing information on vision health research and surveillance. Various conditions leading to visual impairment, including amblyopia, cataracts, and glaucoma, are discussed, along with guidelines for leading a quality life with visual impairment. The book also covers rehabilitation, benefits, and support systems available, concluding with a directory of resources for further assistance. Part 1: Understanding Disability and Visual Impairment provides an overview of disability, impairment, and activity limitation, explaining how visual disability affects individuals. It delves into vision health, offering data and statistics on vision loss and blindness, and discussing types of visual impairment. Part 2: Conditions Leading to Visual Impairment explores various conditions such as amblyopia, cataracts, glaucoma, and Usher syndrome, detailing their effects. Part 3: Living with Visual Impairment elucidates how individuals can lead quality, independent lives, covering mental health, social welfare, education, and employment opportunities. Part 4: Treatment, Rehabilitation, and Disability Support for Vision Impairment discusses prevention of vision loss, assistive technology aids, benefits, and support services such as financial assistance and transportation aids. Part 5: Research in Ocular Diseases, Optic Disorders, Vision Loss, and Visual Processing Disorders delves into vision healthcare advancements, emerging technologies, and research in ocular diseases. Part 6: Additional Resources includes a directory of resources providing help and support for people with visual impairment.
