J Korean Med Sci.  2009 May;24(Suppl 2):S252-S257. 10.3346/jkms.2009.24.S2.S252.

Guideline Development for the Evaluation of Visual Impairment in Korea

• Chin HS
• Park SH
• Park IK
• Kwon JW
• Lee SJ

• KMID: 1713810
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2009.24.S2.S252

Abstract

This guideline is developed to provide criteria for evaluating permanent impairment of the visual system as it affects an individual's ability to perform activities of daily living. This new assessment system is based on the 5th and 6th edition of American Medical Association and McBride impairment assessment system but revised on the consideration of Korean culture and simple application. This evaluation of impairment is based on an assessment of visual acuity and visual field. Especially it weighs binocular vision and binocular visual fields and the binocular vision and binocular visual fields provide 50% of weight and the right and left eye each contribute 25%. A further adjustment of the impairment rating is included at the final step of this evaluation. Functional deficits for individual adjustments include diplopia, problem of accommodation, abnormality of eyelids, tearing, cosmetic problems from cornea opacity, glare, aphakia, and dark-adaptation. The adjustment can be added to impairment rating up to 15%. Further study is necessary to revise and update of this disability evaluation that have potential problems in actual application.

Keyword

Visual Impairment; Guideline

MeSH Terms

*Disability Evaluation
Humans
Korea
Program Development
Vision Disorders/classification/*diagnosis
Visual Acuity
Visual Fields

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Distribution of the Grid Points for Visual Field Evaluation. The first circle from center represent a 10° radius and the second one indicates 20° radius. Total visual field score is 40 points within the inner 10° and 60 points within the 20° range. Also 40 points are assigned to the upper half of field and 60 points are assigned to the lower half. The average normal field will score about 100 points.

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