Visual Impairment encompasses individuals who have lost a large portion of their ability to see other than what can be achieved by using eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicines or surgical procedures. Examples of visual impairment include partially seeing, seeing only blurred images, having diminished peripheral vision or having no usable form of eyesight (i.e., blindness). People with visual impairments may find everyday tasks challenging due to their inability to read, identify others by face, find their way through unknown places, and perform tasks for which they need enhanced or detailed vision.

The loss of eyesight may occur as one of many causes, such as having a genetic condition, being involved in an accident that resulted in an injury to the eye, suffering from eye disease (e.g., glaucoma or macular degeneration), or developing health-related complications (e.g., the effects of diabetes).

In general, the degree of visual loss will determine whether the individual is labelled as “low-vision” or “blind.” Low-vision means that the individual has limited eyesight but still has some functional level of seeing, whereas “blind” means that they have minimal to no usable eyesight. The Compass Care Group understands that visual impairment affects much more than just the way that someone sees; it impacts self-esteem, how well individuals are able to move around, communicate, and experience their quality of life.

Through tailored NDIS support in Perth, assistive technology and skill-building programs, people will learn how to make adaptations, live independently, and fully participate in society.

• Myopia (nearsightedness): Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly, while nearby objects are seen clearly.
• Hyperopia (farsightedness): Difficulty seeing close objects clearly, while distant objects may be seen clearly.
• Astigmatism: Blurred or distorted vision at all distances due to an irregularly shaped cornea.
• Presbyopia: Age-related farsightedness, typically starting around age 40, making it difficult to focus on close objects like reading small print.
• Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s lens, leading to blurry vision. Surgery is often the cure.
• Glaucoma: A group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which can lead to vision loss and blindness.
• Diabetic retinopathy: A complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels in the retina.
• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): A condition that can cause vision loss in the centre of the field of vision.
• Strabismus: A condition where the eyes do not align properly; also known as “crossed eyes”.
• Colour blindness: A reduced ability to distinguish between certain colours, most commonly red and green.
• Cortical visual impairment: Vision loss caused by damage to the brain, such as from a stroke or head trauma.
• Retinitis pigmentosa: An inherited condition that can lead to night blindness and tunnel vision.
• Amblyopia (lazy eye): Poor vision in one eye because the eye and brain did not work together properly.