**2. Age and its effect on adaptability**

A paper-review study [2] found seven main areas impacted by vision impairment in adults over 60. These areas include: depression or mental health, anxiety, quality of life or wellbeing, social functioning, loneliness, or social support and interventions. It was concluded that most of these areas listed previously directly correlates to vision impairment (**Table 1**).

Older persons who have formed habits, and established norms will be more challenged by the impact on their lifestyle by impairment of vision function; some patients even remarking a preference for vision than any of the other senses. Many of my own patients remark they would rather deafness or even death itself, to blindness. Congenital and early onset vision impairment is less likely to lead to negative psychological outcome, and adaptability is more likely.

The attitude of parents towards their visually impaired children has a direct relationship to their child's acceptance of visual impairment. The attitudes range from shock and despondence, later to acceptance, overindulgence, overprotection, then comes the phase of hope in what medicine can do through the ophthalmologist. Parents have the opportunity and ability to mold the child in a positive attitude, and later acceptance by wider society.


**Table 1.** Conclusions drawn from paper-review study.

has unveiled the mysteries behind congenital conditions such as leber congenital amaurosis, glaucoma and its management, and the myriad of systemic diseases associated with degrees of avoidable vision loss; there is still great need to dispel myths about visual impairment.

Mills [1], attended a world conference on the history of blindness and listed some areas of discussion which summarizes historical perspectives and their evolution. The disciplines ranged from history, science, philosophy, medicine, social studies, religious history, to literature, art, and psychoanalysis. Papers included 'Different Ways of Seeing in the Middle Ages', 'Blindness, Learning and the Politics of Radio in Interwar France' and 'What a Blind Man Saw

Visually impaired C. Kudlick, PhD (July 26, 2015) posited in an interview that most people think of disability as a biological, physiological thing that happens to someone, something ahistorical, rather than an identity shaped by history, politics, economics, society, and culture. She is now leading a charge to have the history of disability be a recognized field of study.

In line with the historical perspective of visual impairment, someone deemed as visually impaired often is condemned to a life of confinement and would not be deemed as 'valuable' to society, which often deters the coping process for patients due to lack of self-esteem. Therefore society plays a vital role in a patient's coping ability. Age also plays a vital role in the coping process, as older patients tend to have a harder time coping with their visual impairment. There are different methods for coping with blindness which will be discussed further in this chapter. Technology has over the years evolved and has helped doctors immensely in their prognoses and further help with 'breaking the news' of imminent blindness. Visually impaired patients can integrate into society and regain independence with help of a patient

A paper-review study [2] found seven main areas impacted by vision impairment in adults over 60. These areas include: depression or mental health, anxiety, quality of life or wellbeing, social functioning, loneliness, or social support and interventions. It was concluded that most of these areas listed previously directly correlates to vision impairment (**Table 1**).

Older persons who have formed habits, and established norms will be more challenged by the impact on their lifestyle by impairment of vision function; some patients even remarking a preference for vision than any of the other senses. Many of my own patients remark they would rather deafness or even death itself, to blindness. Congenital and early onset vision impairment

The attitude of parents towards their visually impaired children has a direct relationship to their child's acceptance of visual impairment. The attitudes range from shock and despondence, later to acceptance, overindulgence, overprotection, then comes the phase of hope in what medicine can do through the ophthalmologist. Parents have the opportunity and ability

is less likely to lead to negative psychological outcome, and adaptability is more likely.

to mold the child in a positive attitude, and later acceptance by wider society.

doctor and having accepted and adapted to their new way of life.

**2. Age and its effect on adaptability**

at the International Exhibition of 1862.

86 Causes and Coping with Visual Impairment and Blindness

Parents initiate negative reactions based on their hopes and dreams of a normal child. Their social anxiety, which is fuelled by the embarrassment about the child's disability, is transferred to the child who likely feels differently. Simple activities like dressing, feeding, hygiene practices, play and study become a major problem from a parenting perspective. The fear and anxiety borne out of this parental attitude is what causes the child to experience the same in their interaction with their peers. Parents play an important role in stimulating a child's interest in his or her surroundings. Children become bored easily when the visual stimulus is withheld, hence parents must find alternative ways to drive the child's interest. "Remember that curiosity and desire arc the two eyes through which a person sees the world in its most enchanted colors" [3].

In planning the approach to counseling visually impaired persons, due diligence has to be given to those caring for them: their family members, loved ones, co-workers, and friends. Acceptance from family and the wider society is crucial to self -acceptance when considering physical disability. While parental attitude is critical in children, the attitude of adult support systems is important to adults facing visual impairment.
