Introduction: Surveys conducted in schools for blind students have become useful alternatives to population-based surveys in generating data on childhood blindness and low vision. This survey determined the prevalence of low vision, causes of visual impairment, and the proportion of students requiring low vision devices and provided the low vision…

Demographic projections indicate that the population of the Western world is aging, and evidence suggests an increase in the incidence of conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), that produce visual impairments and result in low vision (Maberley et al., 2006). It is expected that in the United States and Canada, the annual…

An analysis of the annual reports of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind from 1966 to 1975 and examination of numbers registered with the Commission from 1976 and 1977 revealed a 69 per cent increase in the registered population for these 12 years. (Author)

The article examines the relative sizes of the nation's partially sighted, legally blind but not functionally blind, and functionally blind populations as a function of age. (Author/CL)

The report analyzes data collected by the American Printing House for the Blind from residential and nonresidential schools regarding trends in school enrollment and reading methods among legally blind school children. (CL)

CURRENT ESTIMATES AND SOME TREND DATA ARE PRESENTED ON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS -- POPULATION GROWTH (1940-1960), PREVALENCE OF LEGAL BLINDNESS, NEW CASES OF LEGAL BLINDNESS, AGE DISTRIBUTION OF LEGALLY BLIND PERSONS, CAUSES OF LEGAL BLINDNESS, CHANGING PATTERNS IN CAUSES OF LEGAL BLINDNESS, CASES OF GLAUCOMA, SCHOOL CHILDREN NEEDING EYE CARE,…

A validation study of the vision test battery used in the Health Examination Survey of 1966-1970 was conducted among 210 youths 12-17 years-old who had been part of the larger survey. The study was designed to discover the degree of correspondence between survey test results and clinical examination by an opthalmologist in determining the…

This paper presents a summary of presentations and discussion from a World Health Organization meeting of experienced low vision practitioners. It outlines the magnitude of the problem; current status of low vision care; enhancement of the use of vision; and recommendations in definitions, identification, assessment, low vision centers, education,…

The authors describe personal experiences with Usher's Syndrome, a condition involving visual impairment (due to Retinitis Pigmentosa) and deafness. Prevalence and onset of Usher's Syndrome are described along with characteristics of two different types. Problems connected with diagnosis are reviewed, including genetic aspects and the progressive…

Two groups of deaf college students, including 104 deaf from congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) and 138 deaf from other reasons, received complete audiometric assessments and ophthalmological examinations. Degree of hearing loss did not differ between groups. However, 7 visual problems were found to be more prevalent with the CRS population.…

Fifty partially sighted children (7 to 18 years old) were studied along 143 variables to provide a comprehensive profile in the areas of cognitive, psychomotor, academic, and neuropsychological development. The Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery was the principal data collection instrument, supplemented by the Stephen's Piagetian Battery…

Reported is an international survey on training and employment opportunities for the visually handicapped. Described are responses to a questionnaire carried out jointly by the Committee on Professional and Urban Employment of the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind, The International Labor Organization and the Swedish National Labor Market…

Presented are the findings of a national health examination survey of uncorrected and corrected monocular and binocular visual acuity of 7,514 noninstitutionalized youth 12 to 17 years of age analyzed with respect to age, sex, race, geographic region, size of place of residence, and annual family income. Among findings reported are that 70 0/0 of…

The medical evaluation of 165 mentally retarded Australian adults found an average of 2.6 health problems, well above the number in the general population. In order of frequency, conditions found included obesity, ocular impairment, serious dental problems, and aural disorders. Active health promotion with this group is recommended. (DB)