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What cataracts are, how they affect vision, recommendations for pupils with cataracts.
Cataract is when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes hazy. If the lens is not clear, sufficient light cannot get into the eye and vision is often blurred.
How cataracts affect vision
Cataracts can affect different children in different ways. They usually cause blurring of vision. The hazier the lens is, the more blurred the vision will be.
Children with a cataract in only one eye often have good vision in the other. If both eyes have cataracts, serious visual impairment is much more likely.
Many children born with cataracts in both eyes feel their vision is normal. They assume everyone else has the same vision as they do, not realising that other people see things differently.
If only a small area of the lens is hazy, away from the centre, the child is likely to have good vision. If the centre of the lens is very hazy and not letting much light in, the child is more likely to have poor vision.
Recommendations for pupils with cataracts
It's important to encourage children to wear and use their prescribed spectacles, contact lenses or low vision aids. This will ensure the vision parts of the brain grow and develop.
Wearing a hat and tinted glasses can also help reduce dislike of bright light, also known as photophobia.
Pupils may need:
- clearly presented curriculum materials with a good contrast between text and background and, possibly, enlarged or modified
- additional time to study objects, demonstrations, and visual displays closely
- modified programmes for PE and games, as fast moving team games may be difficult
- to sit near the front of the classroom or to one side, depending on the preferred angle of vision
- good levels of lighting, neither bright sunlight nor semi-darkness: the light source should come from behind the pupil and onto the object being viewed
- to be addressed by name when being given instruction, as they may not recognise non-verbal communication across a wide space
- additional time for examinations
- verbal descriptions of objects and displays which are outside the range of vision
Explorers is a support group for families and young children with vision impairment in the early years.
Children and families who live in Bristol, South Gloucester, North Somerset or BANES can attend from referral until the child starts school.
Explorers is on some Tuesday mornings during term time from 10.30am to 12noon at Elmfield House. Family and child attend the sessions together.
For more information email: sensorysupportservice@bristol.gov.uk or call: 0117 903 8441
The Explorers sessions
The sessions give opportunities for:
- families to come together and share information about different issues
- children to take part in a range of hands-on activities specifically planned for young children with vision impairment
- children to explore and have fun in a safe and relaxing environment
The sessions follow a simple routine in a consistent space to help children:
- make sense of their environment
- learn to anticipate events
Ideas for encouraging children to wear their hearing aids.
There are many ways to encourage your child to wear hearing aids. You know your child best and will know the most appropriate way for you both.
Before your child puts their hearing aids on
Make sure the hearing aids are comfortable and secure.
You can use:
- toupe tape: you’ll get this from your Audiology department
- headbands: you can find hearing aid head bands online
- huggies: you will get this from your Audiology department
- pilot hats
Decorate the hearing aids. Your new hearing aid pack should have some stickers you can use.
The National Deaf Children’s Society has ideas on how to decorate your child’s hearing aid.
Putting the hearing aids on
Make using hearing aids part of your child’s normal routine, for example:
- put them on when dressing in the morning
- take them off when getting ready for bed
Take a picture of your child wearing hearing aids and put it on display so your child can easily see it.
Wearing hearing aids needs to be meaningful and fun. When you put them in always smile and give as much positive feedback as you can.
Have a bag of special toys that are only available if your child wears their hearing aids. As soon as the hearings aids are in, play with your child and make it great fun. Your child will associate the hearing aids with fun.
If your child pulls the hearing aids out
If your child pulls the hearing aids out out, try to put them straight back in again. Keep calm and positive.
If your child becomes upset when you try and replace them, have a little break and try again later.
Keep the hearing aids visible so your child can ask to look at them or hold them.
Put them over your ears for a bit, show that you like them. Put them on a teddy or soft toy. Get the whole family involved.
Look out for the things your child wants to do and explain they need their hearing aids in first. It doesn’t have to be a logical link.
Meet other children with hearing aids
Take your child to see other children wearing hearing aids. Your Teacher of the Deaf can put you in touch with other parents of Deaf children.
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