Visual Impairment

Visual impairment is defined as partial or complete loss of vision. While many cases may be genetic, with a strong family history of visual problems, others may arise as a result of extreme prematurity. Very small infants (less than 1500gm at birth) are at risk of developing respiratory distress syndrome. Using high concentrations of oxygen to aid breathing may adversely affect the developing retina, causing the development of blood vessels where there shouldn’t be any, with subsequent visual loss.

While there is no treatment for most cases of severe visual impairment, visual aids and education allow most affected children to attend normal school.
 
 

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