Describe the following causes of visual impairments and how they can affect a student’s functional vision: damage to the cornea; glaucoma; malformation of the iris; cataracts

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Ans: Answers should include the following:
• Damage to the cornea: Light enters the eye through the cornea. The cornea is curved in shape and serves as a strong protective structure for the inner parts of the eye. If the cornea is damaged through trauma or disease and attention is not given to the disturbance, then the inner structures of the eye may become infected which can result in permanent visual impairment and event total blindness.
• Glaucoma: As light passes through the cornea, it goes into an area called the anterior chamber, which is filled with aqueous fluid. This fluid helps bring nutrients to and remove waste from the back surface of the cornea. It also helps maintain the shape of the eye. The major disease that occurs in the aqueous humor is glaucoma which can result in a loss of visual acuity as well as a loss in the visual filed. Students with glaucoma often have headaches and require frequent periods of rest.
• Malformation of the iris: The next section of the eye that light must travel through is the iris. It is the colored, circular muscle of the eye that controls the amount of light that comes into the eye by regulating the size of the pupil. The pupil is the opening in the iris where light enters the eye. If the iris is malformed, the function of light control will be interrupted and the child can become photophobic (light sensitive). Students may require tinted glasses or other optical devices to reduce the amount of light reaching the retina.