Definition - As the term indicates, a visual impairment involves an issue with sight which interferes with a students

academic pursuits. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) officially defines the category as an
impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a childs educational performance.

Causes - There are many causes that may lead to loss of vision or lead to impairment of vision. Common causes that

lead to vision loss or visual impairment include injury to the eye, inherited conditions, infections and so forth.

Injury to the eyes - Injury to the eyes while playing or at work or due to accidents may result in vision loss

and impairment. Particularly injuries to the cornea are the commonest cause of vision loss

Inherited conditions of blindness and visual impairment - Retinitis pigmentosa is the most common

cause of inherited blindness.

Infections of the eyes - Sometimes if the mother has had a viral infection like German measles that is

transmitted from the mother to the developing fetus during pregnancy the baby may be born with blindness or visual

impairment. Trachoma of the eyes caused by contagious microorganism called Chlamydia trachomatis may also

damage eye sight. This is seen in the developing and underdeveloped countries with poor water and sanitation

facilities.

Amblyopia - This is basically impaired vision in one eye due to lack of its use in early childhood. This is

seen in squint or lazy eye since both the eyes project differently and send in different messages to the brain the

brain may then turn off or suppress images from the weaker eye. This stops development of the weaker eye leading

to amblyopia in that eye.

Cataract - Clouding of part or the entire lens of the eye. Normally, the lens is clear to let in the light that

focuses on the retina. Cataracts prevent light from easily passing through the lens, and this causes loss of vision.

Characteristics - Crossed eyes, eyes that turn out, eyes that flutter from side to side or up and down, or eyes that do
not seem to focus are physical signs that a child has vision problems.

A child might have a vision problem if he appears to be overly clumsy. Poor vision might be the cause when a child is
constantly running into things or falling down. He might have trouble realizing how close or far away objects really
are.

Some children who have vision problems appear to have a short attention span. Other children might blink frequently
or squint whenever they read or watch television. Often children are sensitive to bright light or might sit close to the
television or hold books that they are reading close to their face.

Poor eye and hand coordination can be another sign that a child has a vision problem, therefore parents should
observe a young child as he plays. Older children who go to school might have difficulty with sporting activities or
certain projects in class.

http://www.cesa7.org/sped/issues-eligibility/vichecklist.htm

Organization Royal National Institute of Blind People