Visual impairment is a reduction in the ability to see that cannot be fully corrected with ordinary spectacles or contact lenses and that interferes with everyday function. It spans a spectrum from low vision, in which some usable sight remains, to blindness, and is commonly characterized by deficits in visual acuit…
Visual impairment is a reduction in the ability to see that cannot be fully corrected with ordinary spectacles or contact lenses and that interferes with everyday function. It spans a spectrum from low vision, in which some usable sight remains, to blindness, and is commonly characterized by deficits in visual acuity and in the visual field. The causes are diverse and include refractive error left uncorrected, cataract and other media opacities, glaucoma, diabetic and other retinopathies, macular disease, optic-nerve and neurological disorders, congenital conditions, injury, and the effects of aging. Because vision underlies mobility, communication, learning, and independence, visual impairment can substantially affect quality of life, mental well-being, education, and participation, and these consequences are a recognized focus of clinical and population study. Assessment relies on measuring acuity and visual fields and on examining and imaging the eye and visual pathways to determine the cause and severity, including perimetric and structural evaluation of the optic nerve and retina. Management combines treatment of underlying disease, optical and electronic low-vision aids, rehabilitation, and environmental adaptation to maximize remaining function. Prevention emphasizes correcting refractive error and detecting and treating eye disease early. Research addresses the epidemiology and causes of impaired vision, its functional and psychosocial impact, and strategies to restore, preserve, or compensate for lost sight across ophthalmology and rehabilitation.
5 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 5 articles above have been cited 42 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Visual Impairments, linking to each citing work.