| Specific Eye Conditions with Corresponding Adaptations/Considerations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| # | Eye Condition | Effect on Vision | Adaptations/Considerations |
| 1 | Achromotopsia | colors are seen as shades of grey, nystagmus and photophobia improve with age | tinted lenses, reduced lighting, alternative techniques for teaching colors will be required |
| 2 | Albinism | decreased visual acuity, photophobia, nystagmus, central scotomas, strabismus | sunglasses, visor or cap with a brim, reduced depth perception, moving close to objects |
| 3 | Aniridia | photophobia, field loss, vision may fluctuate depending on lighting conditions and glare | tinted lenses, sunglasses, visor or cap with brim, dim lighting, extra time required to adapt to lighting changes |
| 4 | Aphakia | reduced depth perception, inability to accommodate to lighting changes | sunglasses, visor or cap with a brim may be worn indoors, extra time required to adapt to lighting changes |
| 5 | Cataracts | poor color vision, photophobia, visual acuity fluctuates according to light | bright lighting may be a problem, low lighting may be preferred, extra time required to adapt to lighting changes |
| 6 | Colobomas | photophobia, nystagmus, field loss, reduced depth perception | sunglasses, visor or cap with a brim, reduced depth perception, good contrast required |
| 7 | Color Blindness | difficulty or inability to see colors and detail, photophobia, central field scotomas (spotty vision), normal peripheral fields | sunglasses, visor or cap with a brim, reduced depth perception, good contrast required, low lighting may be preferred, alternative techniques for teaching colors will be required |
| 8 | Cortical Visual Impairment | fluctuation in vision, preference to touch over vision as the primary exploratory sense, may have more peripheral than central vision or vice versa | high illumination, bright contrast, repetition and routine very helpful, fluctuation in vision caused by fatigue, excessive noise, illness |
| 9 | Diabetic Retinopathy | sensitivity to glare, double vision, lack of accommodation, fluctuating vision, defective visual fields, floaters, possible retinal detachment | good lighting and contrast, tactile sensation is often poor and reflexes slow, reduced sensitivity in feet may inhibit awareness of level changes/drop-offs, diet can influence attentiveness |
| 10 | Glaucoma | fluctuating vision, peripheral field loss, poor night vision, photophobia, pain or headaches, eye redness | sunglasses, visor or cap with a brim, good lighting and contrast, stress and fatigue negatively effect on vison, medication should be taken regularly |
| 11 | Hyperopia (Far-sightedness) |
difficulty seeing at close distances | may prefer physical activities that require distance vison |
| 12 | Keratoconus | sensitivity to glare, distortion of entire visual field | good contrast and lighting, avoid glare, avoid activities that could cause corneal damage such as contact sports and swimming in heavily chlorinated water |
| 13 | Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis | central and peripheral vision can be affected; loss of color vision and detail, excessive eye rubbing is characteristic | sunglasses, visor or cap with a brim, reduced depth perception, good contrast, fatigue can be a problem |
| 14 | Leber’s Optic Atrophy | reduced central acuity, fluctuating vision, color vision may be impaired, visual perception may be impaired | high illumination, modify expectations to accommodate fluctuating vision |
| 15 | Macular Degeneration | central vision affected, photophobia, poor color vision | sunglasses, visor or cap with a brim, eccentric viewing using peripheral vision, visual fatigue may be a problem |
| 16 | Microphthalmia | photophobia, may have fluctuating vision | fluctuating vision may be frustrating and expectations may need to be adjusted accordingly |
| 17 | Myopia (Near-sightedness) | reduced vision at distances, detached retina possibility | high illumination with good contrast, observe precautions for retinal detachment, may not be interested in activities that require distance vision, especially physical education |
| 18 | Norrie Disease | bilateral blindness at birth | progressive neurosensory hearing loss, diabetes |
| 19 | Nystagmus | inability to maintain steady fixation, reduced acuity, visual fatigue, vertigo | gaze shift or head tilt to find ‘null’ point, stress and spinning or rhythmic movements may increase nystagmus, good lighting and contrast |
| 20 | Optic Atrophy | fluctuating vision, color vision may be impaired, visual perception may be impaired | high illumination, modify expectations to accommodate fluctuating visual performance. |
| 21 | Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, | decreased visual acuity which may vary from light perception to normal acuity, variable field defects, nystagmus | high illumination, modify expectations to accommodate fluctuating visual performance. |
| 22 | Ptosis | dropping eyelid(s), reduced acuity | position and placement for activities may affect visual efficiency |
| 23 | Retinal Dysplasia | field loss, blurred vision, scotomas or blind spots, possibly loss of central vision | high illumination, reduce glare, field loss may restrict physical activities and mobility in low light situations (bad weather or night-time), organized search patterns using a ‘grid’ to aid in locating objects or visual targets, may need to sit farther away to increase visual fields |
| 24 | Retinal Detachment | field loss, scotomas or spotty vision, possibly loss of central vision | avoid contact sports and any physical activity that may result in a sudden jar of the head to prevent further detachment, high illumination, avoid glare |
| 25 | Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) | field restrictions & night blindness, phobophobia, reduced depth perception, scotomas, reduced color vision | physical activities and mobility may be restricted by low light situations such as bad weather and night-time, may need to sit farther away to increase their visual field, precautions should be taken to prevent retinal detachment. |
| 26 | Retinoblastoma | if one eye is removed there is no depth perception | the absence of depth perception may result in inaccurate reach, and difficulty with steps and drop-offs |
| 27 | Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) | possible retinal detachment, spotty vision, field loss, possible glaucoma | high illumination, precautions should be taken to prevent retinal detachment |
| 28 | Septo Optic Dysplasia (Optic Nerve Hypoplasia) | decreased visual acuity which may vary from light perception to normal acuity, variable field defects, nystagmus | high illumination, modify expectations to accommodate fluctuating visual performance. |
| 29 | Sclerocornea | Nystagmus, strabismus, glaucoma, intraocular pressure | high illumination, precautions should be taken to prevent retinal detachment |
| 30 | Scotoma | portion of the visual field that is blind or partially blind, affects central vision, photophobia, poor color vision, normal peripheral vision | sunglasses, visor or cap with a brim, eccentric viewing using peripheral vision, high contrast |
| 31 | Strabismus | affects binocular vision, depth perception, and eye-hand co-ordination | may have difficulties in physical activities and may need more time to adjust to unfamiliar visual tasks |