What is vision impairment?
Last updated:Vision impairment (VI) describes a loss of sight that cannot be corrected by glasses or medical treatment to a 'normal' level. VI refers to a range of difficulties from minor impairment through to blindness and can affect one or both eyes.
VI is very individual. Use of vision may vary depending on environmental factors, whether the eye condition is stable or progressive and even the amount of experience that an individual has had with using vision.
Some children are born with vision impairment (congenital); others lose their sight, partially or completely, because of an illness or accident. In some instances, vision impairment is one aspect of a multiple disability.
Pupils with VI cover the whole ability range.