Heikkonäköinen

Heikkonäköinen is a Finnish term that translates to "visually impaired" or "low vision" in English. It refers to a condition where a person's eyesight is significantly impaired, even with the best available corrective lenses such as glasses or contact lenses. This impairment affects daily activities and can range in severity. It is not the same as blindness, where there is a complete absence of sight.

The causes of heikkonäköisyys are varied and can include inherited eye diseases, conditions developed later in life, or damage to the eye or visual pathways from injury or illness. Common conditions leading to low vision include macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts. The impact of heikkonäköisyys on an individual's life depends on the degree of vision loss and the specific visual functions affected. This can include reduced visual acuity, constricted visual field, or difficulty with contrast or color perception.

Individuals with heikkonäköisyys often utilize a range of assistive devices and strategies to navigate their environment and perform tasks. These can include magnifiers, specialized lighting, large-print materials, and adaptive technology such as screen readers or magnification software. Rehabilitation services and low vision specialists play a crucial role in helping individuals with heikkonäköisyys maximize their remaining vision and maintain independence. The term emphasizes a spectrum of visual ability rather than a complete lack of sight, acknowledging that individuals can still have functional vision.