Sains Malaysiana 38(5)(2009): 799–804

Keberkesanan Penggunaan Alat Bantuan Penglihatan Terhad

(Effectiveness of Low Vision Devices in a Special Education School)

Rokiah Omar¹*, Victor Feizal Knight² &

Zainora Mohammed²

¹Jabatan Optometri

Fakulti Sains Kesihatan Bersekutu

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz

50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

²Institut Sukan Negara Bukit Jalil

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Received: 23 May 2008 / Accepted: 21 April 2009

ABSTRAK

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui status visual pelajar berpenglihatan terhad dan mengenal pasti pelajar bermasalah penglihatan yang boleh mendapat manfaat melalui penggunaan alat bantuan penglihatan terhad. Seramai 113 pelajar berpenglihatan terhad dari sekolah pendidikan khas mengambil bahagian. Akuiti visual jauh dan dekat diukur dengan dan tanpa alat bantuan penglihatan terhad. Pelajar yang memerlukan pemeriksaan lanjutan dirujuk ke Klinik Penglihatan Terhad, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (KPT UKM). 31% pelajar berkategori berpenglihatan terhad dengan penglihatan jauh di antara 6/18 sehingga 6/95, manakala 67% pelajar berkategori buta. 2% pelajar pula mempunyai akuiti yang lebih baik dari 6/18. Akuiti visual dekat bagi pelajar-pelajar ini adalah di antara N4 hingga N64. Alat bantuan penglihatan terhad seperti kanta pembesar berpemegang, kanta pembesar berdiri dan teleskop dimiliki oleh hanya 17% pelajar dari kategori pelajar berpenglihatan terhad. Kajian ini juga menunjukkan bahawa 85% daripada pelajar yang dirujuk ke KPT UKM mendapat menafaat dari penggunaan alat bantuan penglihatan terhad. Capaian kepada perkhidmatan pemeriksaan dan jagaan mata bagi pelajar berpenglihatan terhad perlu diwujudkan agar pelajar-pelajar ini dapat dikesan awal dan alat bantuan penglihatan terhad yang sesuai dapat diberikan. Kajian ini menekankan kepentingan peranan ibu bapa, guru-guru dan optometris dalam memastikan masalah/gangguan penglihatan kanak-kanak ini ditangani dengan berkesan.

Kata kunci: Alat bantuan penglihatan terhad; pemeriksaan penglihatan terhad

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to determine the visual status and effectiveness of low vision devices among visually impaired school children. One hundred and thirteen students from the special education schools took part in this study. Distance and near visual acuity were measured both with and without low vision devices. Students needing further assessment were referred to the Low Vision Clinic (LVC) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. On presentation, 31% of the students were catagorised as low vision with distance acuity between 6/18 and 6/95 whereas 67% were blind. 2% were found to have distance acuity better than 6/18. The range of near visual acuity of these students was between N4 and N64. Low vision devices such as hand held magnifier, stand magnifier and telescope, were owned by only 17% of low vision students. This study showed that 85% of the students that were referred to the LVC benefited from low vision devices. Access to visual examinations and eye care for students with needs to be provided so that these students can be identified early and suitable low vision devices prescribed. This study emphasises the importance of the role played by parents, teachers and optometrists in the management of vision impairment in school children so that their visual impairment can be rehabilitated effectively.

Keywords: Low vision assessment; low vision devices

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*Corrresponding author; email: r_omar@medic.ukm.my