Keywords

assessment, cognitive status, visual impairment

 

Authors

  1. Bylsma, Frederick W. PhD
  2. Doninger, Nicholas PhD

Abstract

Neuropsychological evaluation is useful for delineating the nature and severity of cognitive impairments, differential diagnosis of etiology, and treatment planning. Current assessment instruments have typically been developed for Caucasian, English-speaking, younger, educated, and healthy individuals with normal sensory functions. This yields the greatest applicability to the general population, but makes difficult a test's use in special populations, particularly those with sensory impairments. Here, the difficulties arising in the assessment of individuals with visual impairment are addressed, and measures that may be helpful in conducting an appropriate evaluation of cognitive abilities in the visually impaired are reviewed.