How does a Visually Impaired Person see?

Very few people are totally blind. The pictures above show what the vision is like for someone with different eye conditions.

Everyone's vision is different so these pictures are just an example.

The effect of any sight loss can detract from a person’s quality of life.

There are many different eye conditions, such as

• Macular Degeneration - The most common cause of blindness and often associated withhold age. A part of the retina, known as the macula, degenerates which leads to vision loss of fine detail, colour and central vision.
• Cataracts - The lens degenerates in patches which results in an opaque lens and is often associated with old age. The effect is likened to looking through net curtains or mist.
• Glaucoma - Damage caused by pressure on the optic nerve and retina. Peripheral vision is affected which leads to a ‘tunnel vision’ effect. If left untreated glaucoma can lead to blindness.
• Retinitis Pigmentosa - One of the most common hereditary disorders of the retina leading to progressive sight loss.
• Diabetic Retinopathy – The biggest single cause of visual impairment for people of a working age.  Genrally results in very patchy vision.