Visual Impairment (VI) 
Home > Disability Categories
Visual Impairment is a general term for a variety of visual problems which cannot be corrected to a "normal" level.
What causes VI?
• Uncorrected refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism)
• Cataract
• Glaucoma
What are some of the signs of a VI?
• Eyes that don’t move together when following an object
• Crossed eyes, eyes that turn out or in
• Eyes that bulge, dance, or bounce in rapid movements
• Pupils that are unequal in size
• Sitting close to the objects (TV, books)
• Avoiding tasks and activities that require good vision
How can we assist people with VI?
• Early intervention: Provide services to support infants and toddlers (before their 3rd birthday) and their families
• Special education and related services (ages 3-21)
• Use assistive technologies designed for children with VI
• Effective use of residual vision that they already have
• Teach how to read and write in Braille
Useful Links
• The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
www.nichcy.org
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd
