Light House is dedicated to helping people off all ages overcome the challenges of vision loss and is a modern rehabilitation center for people of all ages and different needs ranging from Low Vison to NO vision who cannot be further treated with surgery, medicine and refraction.
Light House, a strong voice for visually impaired people for their full inclusion into the mainstream society.
Faculty
Miss Mehreen Tanveer (Light House manager)
Miss Anum Akhter (Low Vsion Incharge)
Miss Nisma Sehar (Low Vision Optometrist & Orthoptist)
Paramedics
Zubair Ahmed (Refractionist)What is Low Vision
Definitions:
There are a wide variety of definitions and descriptions of low vision or persons with low vision which have been included in the literature. Definitions will vary from country to country and the reader should keep in mind that there is no one universally accepted definition of low vision. For example, Corn and Koenig (1996) define a person with low vision as "a person who has difficulty accomplishing visual tasks, even with prescribed corrective lenses, but who can enhance his or her ability to accomplish these tasks with the use of compensatory visual strategies, low vision and other devices, and environmental modifications." Lueck (2004) defines low vision as "a vision loss that is severe enough to impede an individual's ability to learn or perform usual tasks of daily life, given that individual's level of maturity and cultural environment, but still allows some functionally useful visual discrimination. Low vision cannot be corrected to normal by regular eyeglasses or contact lenses and covers a range from mild to severe vision loss, but excludes full loss of functional vision. The majority of persons who are legally blind are included within the category of low vision."
" The World Health Organization (WHO 1992) describes a person with low vision as "one who has an impairment of visual function, even after treatment and/or standard refractive correction, and has a visual acuity of less than 6/18 [the metric equivalent of 20/70] to light perception or a visual field of less than ten degrees from the point of fixation, but who uses, or is potentially able to use, vision for the planning and/or execution of a task." WHO maintains 5 levels of vision loss from low vision of 20/70 to no light perception .While many definitions include clinical measures of acuity or visual field, Corn and Koenig (1996) describe these various definitions as arbitrary, given that there is no assurance that a person with a specific clinical measure will or will not be able to complete specific tasks that do not require the recognition of letters or symbols at specified distances. Their expressed concern is what is often referred to as functional vision and may vary within the same individual based on factors such as lighting, fatigue or glare.
The Visual System
The visual system is made up of three basic parts: the eyes, the optic nerve, and the brain. Specific visual elements that assist in building a visual image include central visual acuity, peripheral (side) vision, binocular vision (which aids with depth perception), night vision, color vision and contrast sensitivity. The eye works very much like a camera, with light coming into the eye through the cornea and traveling through the lens of the eye with the iris functioning as an aperture to moderate the amount of light allowed to enter the eye. The light waves are bent by both the cornea and the lens so that they converge at a specific point on the retina, called the macula. If they do not converge exactly in the right place, the person may need glasses or contact lenses to assist them in seeing clearer. The retina is the tissue which holds the photoreceptor cells (like the film of a camera) and covers the inside of the rear chamber of the eye. The photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) and their attached network in the retinal pigment epithelium are where the light rays are changed into neural-electric impulses that travel along the optic nerve to the occipital lobe of the brain. What an individual actual sees is composed of image, color, and movement, and is put together in the brain. Damage anywhere along the optic pathway from the cornea of the eye to the brain can cause vision impairment.
No matter the cause of vision loss, how an individual uses their remaining vision can vary tremendously from person to person or in different environments. Additional personal and environmental factors affecting the interpretation of vision include factors such as fatigue, personality, experience, novelty, complexity, lighting, contrast, and glare. These factors can enhance or complicate the individual's interpretation of what is seen. For children with vision loss, learning to interpret their environment is one of the challenges of having low vision and often requires specialized instruction.
Magnitude and Causes of Visual Impairment
According to the World Health Organization (WHO 2004), visual impairment is not distributed uniformly throughout the world. More than 90% of the world's visually impaired live in developing countries, and in every region of the world, females have a significantly higher risk of being visually impaired than males (WHO 2004). In spite of sometimes crude methods of assessing vision loss, WHO also estimated worldwide prevalence of people who have a significant visual disability at approximately 135 million (Whitcher 2008). Except for the most industrial countries, cataract remains the leading cause of blindness in all regions of the world and when associated with aging, it is even more significant as a cause of low vision. Other major causes of low vision worldwide include glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, trachoma, onchocerciasis (river blindness), Hanson's Disease (leprosy), malnourishment (vitamin A deficiencies), diabetic retinopathy, and other corneal opacities (WHO 2004).
In most industrial countries, uncorrectable low vision is usually caused by damage to the nerve layer inside the eyes known as the retina . Until recently, very little could be done medically to improve vision once damage occurred in the nerve layer. In developing countries, the causes of vision loss are much different, in that most vision is correctible and/or preventable. The current leading cause of visual impairment among children in industrialized countries is cortical visual impairment (also known as cerebral visual impairment) in which visual dysfunction is caused by damage or injury to the brain. Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of visual impairment in older adults in industrialized countries and presents a wide range of functional implications to older adults with low vision.
Over 50% of the world's vision loss is caused by cataracts, a clouding of the lens of the eye associated with aging which is complicated by dehydration, exposure to sunlight and heat. Many other conditions are related to the aging process and public health factors such as clean water.
Employment Considerations
It is widely agreed that unemployment and underemployment are major problems for men and women who have low vision. Because approximately 90% of people with visual impairments have some useful vision, low vision devices and rehabilitation services offer opportunities to enhance their visual and functional capacities. In developing countries, there are special challenges to low vision service delivery.
It is important for rehabilitation professionals to have a good understanding of the difficulties faced by persons with low vision who have never worked, as well as of those who need to find ways to keep their jobs or find new ones. With this information, rehabilitation personnel are better able to help persons with low vision decide where and how they wish to be employed. Support should be offered in the framework of a counseling relationship that is focused on meeting the challenges of public attitudes, altering self-concepts, increasing employers' knowledge of visual impairment, and undergoing career planning and vocational preparation (Moore and Wolffe 1996).
Who Treated in Light House
People having following problems can benefit from Light House Services
Low Vision Devices
Many people with low vision can benefit from either changes in the environment (lighting, adding contrast, or reducing clutter and glare) or the use of low vision devices. People with low vision vary dramatically in their ability to successfully use magnification devices for near and distance vision tasks. Their ability will vary based on age, visual condition/eye disease, amount or ability to use their residual vision, etc. Low vision devices are frequently categorized as optical (near & distance magnification) and non-optical devices.
In Light House learning techniques in eccentric viewing, and sensory integration can assist people with low vision to use their residual vision more effectively. Proper selection and training in the use of different optical and non-optical aids can also enhance the use of low vision so that an individual can use their remaining vision more effectively.
Overview of Low Vision DevicesOptical devices, Near-vision magnification
Any optical device that magnifies the image for viewing tasks within 18 inches. These devices incorporate the use of specific lenses, generally convex or plus lenses.
Primary Use
Used primarily for near tasks within arm's reach, such as reading, writing, sewing, playing board games, and crafts.
Examples of Devices
Handheld magnifier Stand magnifier Spectacle lenses Mirror magnifier Telemicroscope.
Distance-Vision magnification
Any optical system that magnifies the size of an image for viewing tasks from 12 inches to infinity. These devices incorporate the use of both convex and concave lenses.
Primary Use
Used primarily for distance tasks beyond arm's reach, such as spotting street signs, viewing sporting events, or watching television.
Examples of Devices
Handheld telescope, Spectacle-mounted telescope, Behind-the-lens telescope
Nonoptical device
A device that does not involve the use of corrective lenses (convex or concave). Many nonoptical devices do not involve magnification.
Primary Use
Used in near and distance tasks to enhance environmental features, such as illumination and contrast, to sustain visual functioning and to control visual fatigue.
Examples of Devices
Lighting color filter, Large-print material, Reading stands
Electronic magnification
A device that magnifies the size of an image through the use of lenses and electronic enhancement. The size of the image is increased as it is projected.
Primary Use
Used primarily for near and distance tasks that require greater magnification and flexibility in adjusting contrast and illumination.
Examples of Devices
Microcomputer screen, Closed-circuit television, Low Vision, Enhancement System
Optical Devices
Software's for Blind and Low Vision Patients
JAWS:
Jaws is a full range of screen reading and screen magnification software, notetakerss, Braille displays, and other devices for blind and visually impaired computer users. With the help of JAWS users can access a whole world of information, education, and job-related applications for browsing the WEB, reading or writing e-mail messages, working with spreadsheets, or accessing information in a database. This software is the product of choice for blind and visually impaired people around the world.
MAGIC:
MAGIC is a software solution ideally suited for computer users with low vision, or anyone who spends extended periods of time in front of a computer screen.
MAGIC lets you magnify your computer from 1 to 16 times its usual size.
Speech features assist you in processing the information on your screen. MAGIC can read the text that you type or point at with the mouse.
Mouse and cursor enhancements help you track the location of the mouse pointer and cursor on the screen. You can choose from a wide variety of enhancement styles.
Other Magic features track elements of your screen, such as the mouse pointer, dialogue boxes, and so on. The locator feature provides you with way to quickly find and move to different areas of the screen. The MAGIC multi directional planning system gives you complete control with adjustable speed, direction, stop and start, and screen navigation controls.
Electronic Gadgets
Close Circuit Television (CCTV)
Video magnifiers (also known as closed circuit television systems or CCTVs) are some of the more sophisticated and powerful magnifying tools available to workers with low vision. They may be necessary for some tasks when a hand-held or stand magnifier (a prescribed optical device) will not work; Video magnifiers consist of a video camera connected to some type of monitor such as a computer monitor.
Optelec (clear View):
Clear View is an auto-focus desktop video magnification system, designed to assist people with low vision. Clear View enables you to enjoy reading, writing, viewing photos, doing hobbies, crafts and lots more.
Simple operation provides magnification of texts and objects in different colors with adjustable brightness and contrast. Clear View is a practical help at home, at work and at school.
SARA (Scanning and Reading Appliance)
SARA is a standalone device designed to help the blind and those with low vision read printed materials. You can use SARA to read almost anything, including mail, important documents, hardcover and paperback books, and more. SARA uses the latest in optical character recognition technology to scan pages and then reads the contents of that page to you with clear, crisp, human-sounding synthesized speech. SARA contains a host of features that let you customize your reading experience. A built-in CD drive lets you read your favorite books on CD. SARA even allows you to read DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) format digital talking books.
ONYX Flex - ARM PC Edition
The ONYX camera makes seeing printed type, pictures, handwriting, and small details easier than ever before.
The ONYX includes the following features:
OPAL
OPAL is a portable video magnifier that lets you magnify printed text from three to six times its actual size. OPAL has been designed with special attention to the practical needs of those with macular degeneration, glaucoma. RP, cataract, and other causes of low vision
The OPAL is easy to use, even for those unfamiliar with assistive technology. You turn the power on with one button, place it over an object, and adjust the magnification to your preference with the Magnification slider. The magnified image appears in the display windowOPAL features a bright, high contrast 4-inch LCD screen with scratch-resistant cover, six video modes, rechargeable battery, and writing stand. You can even connect OPAL to a television if you need a larger viewing area.
TOPAZ
The TOPAZ Desktop Video Magnifier makes seeing printed type, pictures, handwriting, and small details easier than ever before. Just place a letter or picture on the moveable reading table, and adjust the magnification level and the display colors to work best for your eyesight. Your document display in large size on the screen.
TOPAZ includes the following features:
Summary
This introduction to low vision is designed to expose the reader to the visual system and provide resources or leads on where to go for additional information. Understanding the task-specific visual difficulties that persons with low vision may face can be difficult and confusing. Knowing how to resolve those difficulties can likewise require a vast array of knowledge and experts in a variety of areas. It is hoped that this chapter can serve as a valuable resource and help improve one's understanding of low vision and how it can impact the individual.
What is Low vision?
Low vision is a condition characterised by level of vision that is 20/70 or worse and that cannot be fully corrected with medical treatment, surgery, or conventional glasses. Unlike total blindness, most individuals with low vision have some useful sight. But, as vision deteriorates, those affected often find it difficult to accomplish the tasks of everyday life such as reading, recognizing faces, cooking, driving, and differentiating color. In most cases, the low vision makes patient unable to live a normal and independent life.
Children and adults can have low vision at any stage in life. Most people develop low vision as a result of eye conditions and diseases, including congenital eye diseases, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, retinitis pigmentosa, and trauma. Some causes of low vision, such as cataracts, are treatable and good vision can be restored. When diagnosed early, other conditions that lead to low vision, such as wet macular degeneration and glaucoma, can be halted or slowed - although vision lost is irreversible.
Low vision centre at AL-SHIFA TRUST EYE HOSPITAL:
A low vision center was established in Alshifa trust eye hospital in 1993 which has now become a strong and most efficient low vision service provider not only for the twin cities but also for the whole country.
Each month, hundreds of patient with low vision visit low vision clinic and get benefit in the form of an independent life.
Mehreen tanveer (Light House Manager)
Anum Akhter (Incharge Low Vision)
Paramedic Staff:
Zubair Khalid (Refractionist)
Afshan iqbal (Nursing Assistant)
Aleena Anjum (Ophthalmic Technician)
Our services:
Low vision aids available in low vision clinic:
Almost all types of low vision aids (both for distance and near work) are available in low vision clinic including magnifiers of all types(hand held, foldable, stand, illuminated) and telescopes(monocular ,binoculars, spectacle mounted.
These aids are provided to patients at very low and affordable cost.About 250-300 devices are being dispensed to the patients every year. Some devices are also manufactured in Alshifa low vision workshop.
Light house:
“Light house , a strong voice for visually impaired people for their full inclusion into the mainstream society”
Low vision clinic works in collaboration with Light house (first and only light house in Pakistan). Light house provides support and training opportunities to blind persons and dedicated to helping people of all ages overcome the challenges of vision loss. Light house is equipped with advance and latest electronic gadgets. Senior and junior corners have been set up separately for adults and pediatric patients respectively.
Benefits
People having following problems can get benefit from low vision and light house services.
Electronic gadgets:
Following advanced electronic gadget are available
CCTV:
MAGIC:
No doubt, a magical software for visually impaired computer users
Topaz :
Video magnifier can magnify up to 16xHelps in reading and viewing documents
Opal:
Portable video magnifier. Patient can carry it ,where he wants
Many other softwares, i.e JAWS,DRAGON are also available
Counseling:
Counselling helps people to get understanding of their visual condition, abilities, Disabilities, Rehabilitation and low vision services.
Guidance for appropriate education:
Orientation and mobility training:
People who have visual impairment are trained to move independently both indoors and outdoors with a sighted guide and cane.
Daily household task training to patients:
Patients who are unable to do daily tasks like cooking, sewing, cleaning ,washing etc are trained how to cope with these
Self grooming:
Self grooming corner is also available which help Visually impaired people get guidance in personal skills like matching of colour clothes, putting on make up, shaving, bathing etc.