| Step-by-step instructions: |
Before carrying out this activity, the visually impaired facilitator must have listened to the audio podcast of the ADD@ME IO1 Blended Training Programme Module 5. If he/she doesn’t have listened to it, he/she should be familiar with the concepts related to the different types of low vision and eye conditions.
To start the activity, the visually impaired facilitator explains to participants that they are going to wear three types of simulation glasses, in order to experience how a person with low vision can see.
It is important to emphasize that it won’t be completely consistent with reality, but it gives an idea of how difficult it becomes to carry out the most common actions of daily life:
• To simulate the Stargardt Syndrome (loss of central vision), uses the glasses which have a black circle at the center of the lenses. When you wear the glasses, everything will be dark, except on the side;
• To simulate Retinitis Pigmentosa (loss of side vision), use the glasses which have the lenses vovered with the black cardboard and the black adhesive tape, which will also have to be used to completely obscure lateral areas of the eye. When you wear the glasses, everything will be dark, except for the central hole. The size of the hole is not important: depending on its size, a different degree of retinal degeneration will be simulated;
• To simulate cataracts, use glasses covered with many layers of plastic wrap and transparent tape. Wearing them you won’t be able to distinguish the images and the shapes around you. If the lens becomes more opaque, the form of cataract it will be more severe. While trying/wearing the different simulation glasses, the facilitator asks participants to try to perform the following activities:
1. Reading a newspaper
2. Watch a distant object
3. Move around the room / building
4. Step up or down the stairs.
Facilitator explains the following:
The loss of Central Vision. The loss of central vision creates a blur or blindspot, but side (peripheral) vision remains intact. This makes it difficult to read, recognize faces, see objects in fine detail and distinguish most details in the distance. Mobility, however, is usually unaffected because side vision remains intact.
An example of this can be Stargardt Syndrome and Macular Degeneration.
The loss of Peripheral (Side) Vision. Loss of peripheral vision is typified by an inability to distinguish anything to one side or both sides, or anything directly above and/or below eye level. Central vision remains, however, making it possible to see directly ahead. Typically, loss of peripheral vision may affect mobility and if severe, can slow reading speed as a result of seeing only a few words at a time. This is sometimes referred to as “tunnel vision.
Diseases that causes the loss of peripheral vision are, for example, the glaucoma and the retinitis pigmentosa.
Cloud Vision. Cataracts are a clouding of the natural lenses inside the eyes. They are most often a result of the aging process, but can occur early in life or even be present at birth. Cataracts result in a cloudiness of vision and problems with glare. They typically do not result in low vision by themselves as they can usually be removed surgically. However, cataracts can accompany other conditions resulting in low vision.
To conclude the activity it is extremely important to foresee a debriefing moment to share toughts and impressions in the whole group. |