SUMMARY
The efficiency of the use of residual vision is of great importance to the bearer of low vision. Recently we have observed an increase in the effort of the professionals in the areas of Health and Special Education, to minimize the severe developmental handicaps, as well as to enhance and stimulate the use of residual vision.
The incorrect use of the term blindness has frequently hindered the detection of the real needs of the visually impaired patient, not stimulating to use the potential vision that still exists. In some cases, these individuals are trained to use only their senses of touch and hearing.
The authors analyzed all the records of the visually impaired, considering age, sex and pathologies found with the 317 patients that attended at the Department of Low Vision emphasizing the importance of the early detection and assistance.