Visual impairment

A visual impairment is usually permanent massive restriction of visual perception. They are divided generally into degrees of severity, which is usually on the remaining extent of visual acuity in the better eye oriented ( residual vision ). The most prominent form of visual impairment is the amaurosis, the full form of blindness without any visual stimulus processing. The cause of different organic functional or visual disturbances may come into question. Of these, in turn, depend on prognosis and therapeutic measures.

  • 4.1 Austria

On the concept of visual impairment

The criteria vary depending on the definition used ( eg WHO, German Social Security Code, etc.).

Classifications according to the Professional Association of Ophthalmologists in Austria and Germany

  • Visually impaired: up to a maximum visual acuity (visual acuity ) of 0.3 in the better eye
  • Severe visual impairment: up to a maximum visual acuity (visual acuity ) of 0.05 in the better eye
  • Blindness: up to a maximum visual acuity (visual acuity ) of 0.02 in the better eye
  • Amaurosis: no light perception and visual stimulus processing more available

And a restriction of the field of view to less than 5 ° is considered to blindness.

The values ​​are valid for a measurement with the best possible correction or corrected vision (eg, glasses or contact lenses).

Other forms

Partially functional visual impairment are color blindness or night blindness. In addition, certain diseases or pathologies fall under the concept of visual impairment, even if they do not meet the statutory criteria. These include, for example, half-side visual field defects, diplopia, gaze paresis, visual neglect or forms of cortical blindness.

Causes

The etiology of visual impairment can be very diverse. Among the causes are, for example,

  • Organic alterations and diseases of the eye, particularly the retina, for example, macular degenerations
  • Neurologically based disabilities of the optic nerve and the parent centers by, for example, tumors, aneurysms, stroke, inflammation, etc.
  • Functional disabilities such as a high degree of amblyopia
  • Eye muscle balance disorders such as nystagmus

In principle, acquired disabilities of congenital differ.

Effects

Visually impaired often have to contend with prejudice. They often have big problems with the fact that she of people who are not familiar with the topic, to be misunderstood and sometimes even titled as a malingerer. For this reason, many visually impaired afraid to identify themselves, which would increase the safety of both for them and for other road users. Many people do not realize that there are so many visual impairments that can not be corrected and for which not even a pair of glasses worn. Unaffected people can not understand that the visually impaired can not see something often, but elsewhere apparently normal look and do not need help. A phenomenon that is causing a lack of understanding, for example, a person with tunnel vision (very constricted visual field ), which can hardly oriented and relies on a cane, but the then sitting down and reading a newspaper. In addition, the vision example, can form on the day of the party concerned, the effort that was already exposed to the eye or the light conditions depend. A visually impaired, therefore, does not always behave the same, which can lead to irritation. One of the main concerns of the visually impaired associations is therefore Enlightenment.

Kenntlichmachungen for visually impaired and blind people

Austria

According to § 3 Road Traffic Regulations ( Highway Code ) Template: § / Maintenance / RIS search, the principle of good faith, are " visually impaired with a white cane or yellow armband " specifically exempted from the fact that the "must rely on road users that [ these ] people for the use of follow the road relevant legislation " (Because " these people need special attention by other road users ").

This expressly required marking has been regulated in the Highway Code and not otherwise legally closer, was naturalized long been a symbol with three arranged in triangular black spots on a yellow background, as it was worn on the armband. The origin of this symbol is unclear, it could be in reference to Braille, but is probably primarily a purely iconographic striking characters. General was two points above, a point below, visually impaired or blind ', a dot above, two dots below, hearing impaired or deaf '.

The Austrian blind associations have sought for some time, " to develop an armband with a new design and modern qualities of fabric, which is more visible in the dark. " In addition, they wanted to replace the " stigmatizing three black dots with another unique and internationally uniform as possible symbol". Design and dimensions of a new, binding Logo created - As part of the legislature no objection was with the ÖNORM V 2106:2002-08-01 yellow armbands for blind and visually impaired people. The " man with a cane " has long been in South Western Europe common and has been defined by ÖNORM as "black gender-neutral person with blind - long stick on a yellow background ." With that the new legislation of 2005, hearing-impaired and deaf people were no longer excluded from the principle of good faith, so that the traditional symbol not a unique identifier of the target group of § 3 represented more.

The new Blindenarmbinde is provided next to the logo with retroreflective elements and sewn-in reflective fabric strips. The cane must be white at least two-thirds of parts, and should also be provided with reflective elements. The identification of a visually impaired or blind road traffic participant " in whose ownership and self-interest. " An obligation of identification, there is not a label is used but binding on the other road users.

Treatment options

The treatment options depend largely on the extent and cause of the disability. A perfect restitution is rarely possible and often appropriate rehabilitation measures are necessary.

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