Sokeus

Sokeus is Finnish for blindness and refers to a spectrum of vision impairment ranging from complete sight loss to severe, functionally limited vision. In clinical and everyday usage, it encompasses both total blindness and low vision. Legal and social definitions of sokeus vary by country and influence access to services.

Causes can be congenital or acquired and include diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and optic neuropathies, as well as retinal dystrophies and injuries. Some causes are treatable or preventable, and timely medical intervention can preserve or improve vision in certain cases.

Diagnosis involves ophthalmologic examination, measurement of visual acuity and fields, and assessments of color and contrast. Legal blindness thresholds differ, but commonly involve best-corrected acuity of 20/200 or worse or a constricted visual field. Regular eye exams aid early detection of potentially reversible conditions.

Impact includes challenges to independence, education, and employment. Rehabilitation, orientation and mobility training, and access to assistive technologies support participation. Environmental accessibility, inclusive design, and social support reduce barriers in housing, transportation, and digital media for people with sokeus.

Assistive tools include screen readers, magnification software, refreshable braille displays, audiobooks, and mobility aids such as white canes and guide dogs. Some vision loss is treatable via surgery, medications, or vision-restoring therapies; ongoing research explores gene therapy and retinal implants. Policy efforts emphasize prevention, early screening, and rights-based inclusion.