The effects of COVID-19 on individuals who suffer from a wide variety of forms of vision impairment

Résumé fourni par la source

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected global health systems and daily life, with particularly profound consequences for vulnerable populations, including individuals with vision impairments. This group faces unique challenges related to accessibility, healthcare, social distancing, and communication that have been exacerbated during the pandemic. This review aims to systematically examine the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 on people with various forms of vision impairment, focusing on healthcare access, psychosocial well-being, mobility, digital inclusion, and education. Using a systematic review approach, information was gathered from more than 6,152 sources in databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. 20 excellent articles, reports from health organizations, and qualitative studies involving individuals with vision impairment were included. These articles provided global perspectives on the lived experiences and challenges of visually impaired individuals during the pandemic. The findings reveal that individuals with vision impairment faced major obstacles in accessing accurate and timely health information due to the lack of accessible formats. Social distancing measures disrupted mobility and support networks, exacerbating mental health concerns such as anxiety and loneliness. Educational and healthcare services delivered via digital platforms often lacked adequate accessibility features. Inconsistent policy responses during the COVID-19 pandemic have deepened existing inequalities, particularly for people with vision impairment, who faced heightened barriers to accessing essential services and participating fully in society. This crisis exposed significant flaws in accessibility and inclusion measures. To address these shortcomings, future public health strategies must adopt universal design principles and implement targeted, disability-centered policies to safeguard equity in all emergency responses.

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