Grief and needs of adults with acquired visual impairments

This report aims to illuminate the complex phenomenon of grief and the needs experienced throughout the time course of their impairments by adults with acquired visual impairments. The study applied a phenomenological research strategy using 10 case studies of South African adults, visually impaired within and beyond six years. Qualitative descriptive data were obtained from follow-up depth interviews. An essential insight gained from the study is that the duration of the acquired visual impairment impacts the unrealistic or realistic awareness of the implications and limitations of living with a chronic visual impairment. This factor profoundly influences the experience of grief and concomitant needs. A chronic, recurrent but episodic grief process and a dynamic process of both experienced needs and need satisfaction were emphasized.