Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
09:29
A Standardized Obstacle Course for Assessment of Visual Function in Ultra Low Vision and Artificial Vision
Published on: February 11, 2014
Psychological factors associated with visual impairment.
R K Bansal1, I S Jain, T K Kohli
1Department of Education, Punjab University, Chandigarh.
Indian Journal of Psychiatry
|November 9, 2011
Summary
This study explored psychological patterns in visually impaired individuals using the Cornell Medical Index. Findings reveal distinct psychological differences across varying degrees of visual impairment.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Ophthalmology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Visual impairment presents unique challenges impacting psychological well-being.
- Understanding psychological patterns is crucial for effective support and intervention.
- Previous research has explored various aspects of psychological adaptation to vision loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the psychological patterns of visually handicapped subjects across six defined criteria.
- To compare psychological profiles between individuals with normal vision, curable ocular disease, and permanent visual handicaps.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 75 subjects was recruited for the study.
- The Cornell Medical Index health questionnaire was administered to all participants.
- Subjects were categorized into three groups: normal vision (25 subjects), curable ocular disease (25 subjects), and permanent visual handicap (25 subjects).
Main Results:
- The study identified specific psychological patterns associated with visual handicaps.
- Significant differences in psychological criteria were observed between the three groups.
- The Cornell Medical Index indicated varying health and psychological indicators across the groups.
Conclusions:
- Visual impairment is associated with distinct psychological patterns.
- The degree of visual impairment influences psychological well-being.
- Further research is warranted to develop targeted psychological support for visually impaired populations.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...
01:12Visual Agnosia
Visual agnosia is a condition characterized by the inability to recognize visually presented objects despite having normal vision. For instance, a person with visual agnosia can describe the shape and color of an object but cannot identify or name it. This impairment does not affect their visual field, acuity, color vision, brightness discrimination, language, or memory. An example of this condition in a social setting is someone at a dinner party asking for "that silver thing with a round end"...
01:25Factors Affecting Perception
Perception is influenced by perceptual set, context, motivation, and emotion. Perceptual set, or perceptual expectancy, refers to the tendency to perceive things in a particular way, influenced by previous experiences and expectations. This phenomenon affects the interpretation of stimuli, creating a set of mental tendencies and assumptions that impact sensory perceptions of sound, taste, touch, and sight.
An illustrative example of a perceptual set is the scenario where an airline pilot told...
An illustrative example of a perceptual set is the scenario where an airline pilot told...
01:24Prosopagnosia
Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, is the inability to recognize faces. In severe cases, individuals with prosopagnosia may not recognize close family members, including parents and spouses, by their faces. For instance, someone with prosopagnosia might walk past their child in a crowd, only realizing their mistake upon noticing their child's distinctive backpack or favorite jacket. Prosopagnosia specifically impairs facial recognition, while the recognition of other objects or...
01:26Visual System
Light enters the eye through the cornea, a transparent, dome-shaped surface covering the surface of the eyeball that helps to direct and focus incoming light. This light is then channeled toward the pupil, an adjustable opening whose size is controlled by the iris. The iris, a pigmented muscle, regulates the amount of light entering the eye by contracting or dilating the pupil, thereby ensuring optimal light levels for clear vision.
Once through the pupil, the light passes through the lens, a...
Once through the pupil, the light passes through the lens, a...
01:15Depth Perception and Spatial Vision
Depth perception is the ability to perceive objects three-dimensionally. It relies on two types of cues: binocular and monocular. Binocular cues depend on the combination of images from both eyes and how the eyes work together. Since the eyes are in slightly different positions, each eye captures a slightly different image. This disparity between images, known as binocular disparity, helps the brain interpret depth. When the brain compares these images, it determines the distance to an object.