Identification and Follow-Up of Visual Impairments in Hearing-Impaired Populations

• Published in: American annals of the deaf (Washington, D.C. 1886) D.C. 1886), 1981-05, Vol.126 (3), p.321-360
• Main Authors: Johnson, Donald D., Caccamise, Frank, Rothblum, Anita M., Hamilton, Lowell F., Howard, Malin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Binocular vision; Color vision; Deafness - complications; Eyes; Follow-Up Studies; Hearing Disorders - complications; Hearing loss; Humans; On campus students; Ophthalmology; Pathology; Patient assessment; Questionnaires; Vision Disorders - diagnosis; Vision Disorders - epidemiology; Vision Disorders - therapy; Visually impaired persons
• ISSN: 0002-726X; 1543-0375; 1543-0375
• DOI: 10.1353/aad.2012.1451

This publication provides an overview of a project on identification of visual problems and follow-up conducted by the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). This project had three main objectives: (a) to determine the most appropriate means for identifying NTID students with visual impairments and make recommendations for medical and personal/social follow-up (Objective 1); (b) to determine the types and incidence of visual impairments among these students (Objective 2); and (c) to conduct research that would assist in the provision of appropriate counseling relative to academic and career opportunities/experiences for persons with both auditory and visual impairments (Objective 3). Several approaches were investigated as possible means for assessing the visual functioning of NTID students (Objective 1). Subsequently, some of these approaches were used to determine the types and incidence of visual impairments within this population (Objective 2). The approaches investigated were: (a) a vision questionnaire (personal/family ocular history) for students; (b) an off-campus general health physical examination; (c) an off-campus opthalmological examination; (d) an on-campus ophthalmological examination (standard to which all other assessment results were compared); and (e) an on-campus visual screening program. This screening program included the use of Bausch and Lomb Orthorater Vision Testers (a vision screening instrument used in assessing visual acuity, color vision, and binocular vision), the Ishihara Color Vision Test (a test designed to evaluate the ability to discriminate colors), and Titmus Stereopsis Tests (a series of tests designed to assess the ability to perceive objects in three dimensions using both eyes). Visual parameters assessed included near and far (distance) acuity (the ability of the eyes to resolve or differentiate detail), color vision (the ability to discriminate colors), and binocular vision (muscle balance and depth perception). In addition, three psychophysical screening tests for the presence of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) (a progressive loss of vision due to retinal degeneration) were investigated; one approach involved a test for assessment of darkadapted visual sensitivity (the ability to see in darkness or dim illumination), and the other approach involved two tests for temporal processing of visual stimuli. The methodology designed to investigate appropriate counseling rel