vision impairment
Difficulty seeing clearly
Vision impairment is reduced ability to see that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery.
The term covers a spectrum from partial sight to total blindness.
It appears in medical, educational, and legal contexts: Students with vision impairment may qualify for accommodations.
The phrase is often preferred over "blindness" when the condition isn't total.
Insufficient sight by official standards
- partially sightedHaving reduced visual capacity
- total blindnessAbsence of all vision
- visual fatigueTired eyes from overuse
- eye strainTired, aching vision
Pressure damages optic nerve
- macular degenerationRetinal disease causing central blindness
- cataractsSteep falls or eye opacity
- retinopathyDisease of eye's photosensitive layer
- myopiaBlurry distance vision
hyperopia · astigmatism · presbyopia · amblyopia · strabismus · diplopia · nystagmus · uveitis
Program converting text to audio
- text-to-speechConverting writing to audio
- audio descriptionSpoken explanation of visuals
- voice controlDevice operation via speech
- assistive technologyDisability-compensating devices and software
large print · high contrast · accessible design · alt text · closed captioning · adaptive equipment · talking watch · audio books
Eye disease physician
- optometristVision care professional
- eyeglassesCorrective lenses worn
- contact lensesVision aids worn on eyes
- corrective lensesOptical devices fixing sight
eye exam · prescription · orientation training · mobility training · eye surgery · LASIK · gene therapy · eye drops
Optical enlarging device
- monocularSingle-eye magnifying optic
- reading standSupport for open books
- task lightingFocused illumination for work
- writing guideText teaching composition
Having raised design
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
- braille alphabetTactile writing system
legally blind
Insufficient sight by official standards
- partially sightedHaving reduced visual capacity
- total blindnessAbsence of all vision
- visual fatigueTired eyes from overuse
glaucoma
Pressure damages optic nerve
- macular degenerationRetinal disease causing central blindness
- cataractsSteep falls or eye opacity
- retinopathyDisease of eye's photosensitive layer
myopia · hyperopia · astigmatism · presbyopia · amblyopia · strabismus · diplopia · nystagmus · uveitis · visual acuity
screen reader
Program converting text to audio
- text-to-speechConverting writing to audio
- audio descriptionSpoken explanation of visuals
- voice controlDevice operation via speech
assistive technology · large print · high contrast · accessible design · alt text · closed captioning · adaptive equipment · talking watch · audio books · guide dog
ophthalmologist
Eye disease physician
- optometristVision care professional
- eyeglassesCorrective lenses worn
- contact lensesVision aids worn on eyes
corrective lenses · eye exam · prescription · orientation training · mobility training · eye surgery · LASIK · gene therapy · eye drops · patching
magnifier
Optical enlarging device
- monocularSingle-eye magnifying optic
- reading standSupport for open books
- task lightingFocused illumination for work
embossed
Having raised design
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
- braille alphabetTactile writing system
- disabilitydisability rights, disability culture, disability activism, disability services, disability identity
- blind serviceswhite cane, Louis Braille, guide dog, guide dogs, braille alphabet
- Disabilitiesblind, paralysis, developmental disability, amputees, intellectual disability
vision impairmentperfect vision
Optimal visual acuity
normal vision · 20/20 vision · clear sight · keen eyesight · eagle eye
vision, visionary, visualize, visions, impaired, impairment, visualization, unimpaired, visionaries