Writing Homework Help

There are three students discussions. Please respond to each one.

1.  I am going to discuss nystagmus, which is defined as a vision impairment that affects the eyes by making non-stop repetitive and uncontrolled movements. The movements can be shown in the individual by moving in a side to side, up and down, or in a circular motion. The effects result in a limited vision and depth perception that can negatively affect the individual’s coordination and balance. (https://www.aoa.org). (Links to an external site.) By the time an infant is 3 to 4 months old he/she has the ability to focus on items, however, when an infant has nystagmus, his/her ability is interrupted and the most common side effect is the horizontal back and forth movement of the eyes. Quite a few people with nystagmus do not have actual vision impairments, however, due to rapid movements, it makes it difficult for the person to see accurately. Idiopathic infantile nystagmus is where the eyes shake even though the infant has normal neurologic and ocular structures present in the eye. (Beaufort, Visual Impairment, Chapter 25, pg. 527). The cause for the idiopathic infantile nystagmus is inherited from an X-linked fashion, “X-linked inheritance means that the gene causing the trait or the disorder is located in the X chromosome”. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-linked_recessive_inheritance). Nystagmus can be present in one eye (latent) or both eyes (constant). 

The effects may vary in each individual due to the type of nystagmus and the severity. It may also depend on the diagnosis, congenital (at birth) or acquired (develops later in life). (https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/eye-health/nystagmus (Links to an external site.)). The cause of congenital nystagmus is still being researched, but it is most likely due to an abnormality located in the occipital lobe which is the part of the brain that controls eye movement. Acquired nystagmus can develop due to conditions that affect the inner ear(s) and eye(s), head trauma, stroke and medications. In addition to uncontrollable eye movements, nystagmus can cause dizziness, imbalance, and coordination problems, sensitivity to light, tilting and/or turning of the head, blurry vision, shaky vision, night vision issues, and additional vision issues, developmental issues depending on the severity of vision loss, lack of confidence due to teasing and a lack of advocating skills (Case study about Mary in Chapter 25 of Visual Impairment). Again, depending on the type of nystagmus and severity there are varying levels and degrees that impact individuals differently.

2.   I decided to go over strabismus, which is “misalignment of the eyes” (de Beaufort, 2019).  There are three different forms: esotropia, exotropia, and hyperdeviation (de Beaufort, 2019).  Strabismus can be a cause of amblyopia, as “the brain ignores the input from the deviated eye to prevent diplopia or double vision” (de Beaufort, 2019).  It can be present all the time or intermittent (de Beaufort, 2019). 

  This factor of vision impairment is related to former premature infants, children with hydrocephalus and children with cerebral palsy (de Beaufort, 2019).  The causes can be congenital, poor vision and excessive focusing, eye muscles abnormalities, as well as neurological or brain abnormality or damage (de Beaufort, 2019). 

  Esotropia is where the eyes are turned in, called “cross-eyed” (de Beaufort, 2019).  This type usually is present at birth or soon after and may need surgical treatment.  It can also be due to farsightedness, which leads to excessive focusing and leads to the child’s eyes crossing inward, leading to accommodative esotropia; this can be corrected with eye glasses (de Beaufort, 2019). 

  Exotropia is where the eyes turn out, called “wall-eyed” (de Beaufort, 2019).  If the condition continues after the age of three months, there is concern for “contributing neurological abnormalities and therefore warrant further evaluation” (de Beaufort, 2019).  If it is caused by poor vision, it could cause sensory exotropia, this can get better if the vision improves or may need surgery (de Beaufort, 2019).   Intermittent exotropia is usually see in “the otherwise-healthy child and is often treated with glasses, patching, convergence exercises, or surgery” (de Beaufort, 2019).     

  Hyperdeviation is “a vertical misalignment of the eyes” (de Beaufort, 2019) in which “the eye occasionally turns upwards” (Vivid Vision, Inc 2021).  Hypotropia is when the eye turns downwards (Vivid Vision, Inc 2021).   These tend to be less common than exotropia and esotropia, and tends to become “more difficult to compensate for with age” (Vivid Vision, Inc 2021).  “Vertical intermittent strabismus often responds well to prism lenses” (Vivid Vision, Inc 2021). 

  I did have a friend who had esotropia, when we were younger and did where glasses to help correct it.  In our late teens, she no longer needed to wear them, as her vision was ok and the esotropia was better.      

  Thank you

.3.   It took me some time to understand what exactly the discussion prompt requires us to discuss. After much internal debate, I have decided to discuss the impact of cortical vision impairment on an individual. One factor that can affect the impact of CVI is where the abnormality/damage is located within the visual cortex of the brain. According to de Beaufort 2019, “CVI is characterized by visual perceptual deficits due to disorders affecting the visual cortex and associated areas,” (p. 529).  Abnormalities/damage could occur within different parts of the visual cortex, such as the occipital lobe, primary or secondary visual cortex areas, and can all influence the effects on CVI in an individual. “Children with CVI present a variety of classic behaviors, and visual attention can range from mildly impaired to absent,” (de Beaufort, 2019, p. 529). Given this information, I am making an educated guess that this range of impairments can all depend on location of abnormality/damage to the visual cortex. Any feedback you all have is greatly appreciated!