Eye diseases

Eye diseases that cause visual impairment in people are mostly associated with ageing. They include:

• age-related macular degeneration
• cataracts
• diabetic retinopathy
• glaucoma

Visual impairment resulting from eye disease may be present in one eye (unilateral) or both eyes (bilateral) and its severity varies from mild to moderate or severe. The severity of visual impairment is measured from the best acuity achieved when reading letters at the distance on a vision chart (Department of Clinical Ophthalmology and Eye Health 2007).

Workplace adjustments and solutions

There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:

• ability to see (or see clearly)
• interacting with others
• moving around the workplace
• writing by hand—ability to see or see clearly

Case studies and success stories

For employers and managers:

• Horitculture—Trainee works hard

For job seekers and employees:

• Eye disease—Traineeship secured Ashley's job

For service providers:

• Eye disease—Traineeship secured Ashley's job

References

Better Health Channel 2007, Vision loss - some causes explained, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 1 March 2007, <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Vision_loss_some_causes_explained?open>.

Vision Australia 2007, Vision Australia, Sydney, viewed 1 March 2007, <http://www.visionaustralia.org.au>.

Department of Clinical Ophthalmology and Eye Health 2007, Centre for Vision Research, Sydney, viewed 1 March 2007, <http://www.cvr.org.au>.