|
|
|
Hydranencephaly Resources in caring for a Child with Hydranencephaly Physical Care of a Child with Hydranencephaly Difficult Times
Pt. 1: Taking Care of You Book: Caring for Your Child With Hydranencephaly
Printed Materials |
Vision Glossary Here are some of the terms used in
regards to vision and our children. This glossary is in the book Caring For Your
Child With Hydranencephaly and was taken from the following sites:
http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?DocumentID=2139 Amblyopia: a reversible condition affecting visual acuity that can lead to loss of vision in an eye that is structurally capable of seeing. Anencephaly: a birth defect in which all but the most primitive part of the brain, spinal cord, and overlying bones of the skull are absent. Corpus Callosum: a mass of white matter that joins the cerebral hemispheres of the brain, allowing them to communicate with each other. Cortical visual impairment: Visual impairment caused by damage to the part of the brain related to vision. Although the eye is normal, the brain cannot properly process the information it receives. The degree of vision loss may be mild or severe and can vary greatly, even from day to day. Cortical visual impairment may be temporary or permanent. People with cortical visual impairment have difficulty using what their eye sees. For example, they may have trouble recognizing faces, interpreting drawings, perceiving depth, or distinguishing between background and foreground. Children with cortical visual impairment are often able to see better when told in advance what to look for. Cortical visual impairment is also known as neurological visual impairment (NVI). Encephalocele: a birth defect in which the brain protrudes through an opening in the skull. Hypoxia: a lack of sufficient oxygen in the body cells of blood Ischemia: not enough blood supply to the brain Nystagmus: Condition that involves involuntary, rapid, repetitive movements of one or both eyes from side to side, up and down, or in a circular motion. Nystagmus may be present at birth or, less commonly, may result from disease or injury. In some cases, the condition can reduce or interfere with vision. For example, children with nystagmus may frequently lose their place when reading. Placing a cutout reading window over words or using a card to "underline" text can be helpful. Optic nerve atrophy: Degeneration of the optic nerve, which carries vision information from the eye to the brain. People who have optic nerve atrophy may have dimmed or blurred vision as well as a reduced field of vision. They may also have difficulty seeing contrast and fine detail. Vision loss through optic nerve atrophy is permanent. However, if the underlying cause can be identified and successfully treated, further vision loss may be prevented. Bright lighting, high contrast, and bold colors can help children with optic nerve atrophy see more clearly. Optic nerve hypoplasia: Condition, present at birth, in which the optic nerve is underdeveloped, so that adequate visual information is not carried from the eye to the brain. The effects of optic nerve hypoplasia have a broad range, from little or no visual impairment to near-total blindness. The condition may affect one or both eyes. There is no treatment or cure for optic nerve hypoplasia. However, depending on the degree of visual impairment, a person with this condition may benefit from the use of devices for low vision. Perinatal: describes the period between 28 weeks gestation through the first week following delivery. Radiographic: refers to a picture produced on a sensitive surface by a form of radiation other than light. Septo optic dysplasia: a syndrome, which includes midline abnormalities of the brain and optic nerve hypoplasia. Strabismus: Condition in which the eyes are not both directed toward the same point simultaneously. Strabismus occurs when eye muscles are not working together properly. It is most commonly an inherited condition, but may also be caused by disease or injury. If diagnosed early, strabismus can usually be corrected. The condition may be treated with corrective eyeglasses, eye-muscle exercises, surgery, or a combination of these approaches. Young children with this condition may need to wear an eye patch over their stronger eye to force their weaker eye to function correctly. Children whose strabismus is not corrected may develop amblyopia. Visual Acuity: ability of the eye to see clearly (which can be measured specifically), to perceive objects and to see detail within central vision. Other pages in this sectionVision Vision Links Vision Experiences
|
|
Subscribe to the
Hydranencephaly Mailing list
August 16, 2001- January 12, 2005 This website is funded in loving memory of Jason S. by his mother Kammy The information on this site is provided by families, caregivers, and professionals who are or have been caring for a child with Hydranencephaly. Please report any broken links or missing photos to angelbearmom@shaw.ca
|
