Blindness is a lack of vision that can be temporary or permanent. It results from damage to the eye, optic nerve, or visual processing areas of the brain. There are two main types - partial blindness meaning very limited vision, and complete blindness where nothing can be seen. The leading cause of blindness globally is cataracts, where the lens of the eye loses clarity. Other common causes include infectious diseases, accidents, hereditary factors, and diseases like diabetes. Symptoms include only seeing shadows, poor night vision, tunnel vision, and cloudy eyesight. According to the WHO, over 7 million people become blind each year and most cases are preventable.

1. BLINDNESS
Dr. Veena Shahi
Department of HDFS
College of Community Science
RPCAU. Pusa

2. Definition and Meaning
 Blindness can be temporary
or permanent. Demand to any
portion of the eye, the optic
nerve, or the area of the brain
responsible for vision can lead
blindness.
 Blindness is a lack of vision. It
may also refers to a loss of
vision that cannot be corrected
with glasses or contact lenses.

3. Types of blindness
 Partial Blindness
 Complete Blindness
 Partial blindness; It means
very limited vision.
 Complete blindness; It
means you cannot see anything
and do not see light.

4.  Refractive error
• Hyperopia or farsightedness
• Myopia or nearsightedness
• Astigmatism
 Defect of muscle function
• Strabismus or crossed eye
• Heterophoria
 Developmental anomalies
• Albinism

5. Characteristics
 The primary function of the ocular lens is to transmit
light and to focus it on the retina.
 A cataract occurs when the lens loses its clarity such
that visual acuity is compromised.
 Cataracts can result from genetic, metabolic,
nutritional, or environmental insults or can be
secondary to other ocular or systemic conditions, such
as diabetes.
 The most important risk factor is age; age-related
cataract constitutes the great majority of all cataracts.
 Cataract remains the leading cause of blindness
globally.

6.  Restricted mobility.
 Control their own environment and
themselve in relation to it.
 Due to poor and negative attitude.
 Low self concept.
 Due to neglect and ignoring attitude.
 Natural demand.
 No differences in communication and
language skill.
 No sociometice study is found.
Characteristics

7. Causes of Blindness
 Infectious diseases – Mostly 60 to 70 % become blind
due to infectious diseases. Blood disorder can also cause
blindness.
 Accident or injury - Lack of security and guidance, fight
or accident causes blindness.
 Hereditary - Sometimes, blindness is inherited
however the frequency of such occurrences is very
insignificant.
 Common diseases- Blindness also occurs due to
various physical diseases, such as diabetes, vitamin
deficiency etc.
 Effect of poisons – Effect of poison is also one of the
factors that account for blindness.

8. common Causes of Blindness
 In children while playing with sharp edged toys, knife,
compass, scissors, needles etc.
 During the festivity season playing with water balloons
during Holi, bow and arrow during dusshera and crackers
during Diwali.
 Sport injuries e.g. With ball , gully- danda, boxing, air-
gun, etc.
 Vehicular inguries e.g . In road, rail, or air accidents.
 Injuries with sharp weapons and explosive weapons
during fights and wars.
 Retinal burns due to solar eclipse.
 Eye injuries due to industrial accidents.

9. Symptoms of Blindness
Seeing only shadows
Poor night vision
 Tunnel vision
 cloudy vision

10. Facts of Blindness
According to WHO:
 It is estimated that over seven million people
become blind every year.
 75% of blindness is avoidable
 80% of visual impairment is avoidable
 63% of those with low vision and 82% of blind
people are over 50 years of age
 Of the six WHO regions, South East Asia and
Western Pacific account for 73% of moderate to
severe visual impairment and 58% of blindness.

11. Prevention of Blindness
 Regulation and control in the manufacture of proper toys.
 Use of protective glasses.
 Use of protective deices in sports and change of rules
whenever necessary and possible.
 Proper illumination of industries.
 Bold display of measures for eye protection in various
industries.
 Banning of dangerous objects like water balloons, Gulli-
danda, bow and arrow and dangerous crackers.
 Students and people using chemicals should be
instructed as how to open a bottle –containing chemical.
Ammonia should always be kept cool.

12. Educational Provision
1. Braille
2. Use of equipment
 Braille writer, slate and stylus
 Abacus
 Raised line drawing board
 Raised line paper
 Talking book and other recorded programs
3. Orientation and mobility
4. Social skills
5. Daily living skills
6. Sensory training
7. Least restrictive environment