Loss of vision

A reduction in visual acuity or field

Types - may be

acute or gradual onset

monocular or binocular

transient or permanent

involve central or peripheral vision

Most common causes of acute vision loss include acute glaucoma , central retinal vein / artery occlusion , retinal detachment and optic neuritis.

Major causes of vision impairment include cataract and uncorrected refractive errors

As people are living longer- the demand for eye health services is increasing

WHO reports that globally atleast 2.2 billion people have a vision impairment and atleast 1 billion have a vision impairment that could have been prevented or is yet to . be addressed

In the UK about 2 million people are living with sight loss

Optometrist services in the UK are provided free of cost in most circumstances ( e.g under 16s , full time students aged 16, 17, 18 , over 60s , on certain benefits , low income , GP referral etc )

In UK certificate of visual impairment ( CVI ) is the formal notification needed by social services departments to register some one as sight impaired or as severely sight impaired ( BP1 certification in Scotland )

Among older people in the UK macular...