Low Vision Resources

Aging eye conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma, can cause permanent vision loss that affects independence and quality of life. Called low vision, this vision loss can make everyday activities seem impossible. The good news: there is still much that can be done! Join us for a live & interactive discussion to learn about the latest in in vision rehabilitation and available community resources and services. 

https://www.youreyes.org/

• Suleiman Alibhai O.D, F.A.A.O 
• Sean Curry, MPH Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington®

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Questions Asked

• Any recommendations for progressive visual impairment associated with Posterior Cortical Atropy?
• Its a rare form of dementia.
• I am very interested in the compensating strategies for living with macular degeneration...
• Do you recommend laser treatment of nerve thinning in gloucoma and at what stage/indication? Is it urgent?
• Any tips on ptosis (i.e. eyelid drooping) regarding things to consider, vetting doctors for the surgery, various surgery techniques, doing one eye or both for symmetry? Also how does potential double vision, potential adult crossed eyes, dry eyes, and/or reduced depth perception with aging complicate a ptosis ( eyelid drooping) procedure?
• Are AREDS supplements useful?
• "How can we assess/compensate when  and
• Bifocal lenses no longer effective for person with visual processing changes due to dementia"
• is the VE-G shot that I recieve chemo?
• I have myopic macular degeneration.  I am repeatedly told there is no research being done on this condition.  Can I lose sight without any warning?
• Will you be able to help me convince Motor Vehicles that I can drive? I am confident that I can drive.
• For those here in Georgia...Freedom & Mobility www.freedomandmobility.com

Chat Transcript

12:06:27     From  Laurel (Laurie) Welt   to   Hosts and panelists : I cannot hear the audio at all.

12:06:28     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : https://www.youreyes.org/

12:10:38     From  kathleen macleod   to   Hosts and panelists : Is a person with macular degeneration eligible for a seeing eye dog?  Does insurance cover it?

12:11:15     From  April LCSW-C : what is the name of that eye disorder?

12:11:17     From  Mrs. John Honig : What might be the cause of watery eyes indoors?

12:11:46     From  Judith Walters : help for sever astigmatism

12:11:56     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Posterior Cortical Atrophy - Posterior cortical atrophy (Benson's syndrome) is a rare condition that is considered a variation of Alzheimer's disease. It is known as a visual variant, meaning it primarily affects an individual's vision, and it may impact cognitive function as it progresses as well. Approximately five percent of Alzheimer's disease patients have posterior cortical atrophy. https://healthprep.com/alzheimers-disease/warning-symptoms-posterior-cortical-atrophy/

12:13:54     From  Kathleen KS : if someone has blurry vision (some days worse than others-like flare-ups) but no physical cause like cataracts, could it be due to medications or something else like inflammation?

12:15:38     From  Joan Green : As elders (and others) lose their vision, there are many accessibility features built into mobile phones and computers that can be game changers. There are also amazing apps such as seeing AI by Microsoft. Is there a place that you refer people with vision loss to in order to learn more about technologies that can help? I know that the folks at Envision Technology used to specialize in this- but haven’t communicated with the owners for a long time.

12:16:00     From  Sara Yamamoto : Is need for more light related to conditions besides cataracts?

12:16:22     From  April LCSW-C : 48 with wet macular degeneration, is vision rehab appropriate?

12:18:53     From  amykeller   to   Hosts and panelists : What are the concerns for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a progressive parkinsonian disease that is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease due to the overlap of its symptoms

12:20:52     From  Eileen Bennett : Can your talk about the difference between JFT (condition) and macular degeneration (disease)

12:23:23     From  Alyson Linville : What strategies can you use to learn to live with new blindness in one eye and Mac Degen in the other?

12:23:33     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Is A Guide Dog Right For You?https://www.guidedogsofamerica.org/admissions/

12:23:46     From  Sharon Payne   to   Hosts and panelists : The term is Dog Guides.  Seeing Eye is a name of a school in New Jersey.  All certified schools will insist that they have cane training first.

12:24:14     From  Robert Cornett   to   Hosts and panelists : I work with a 90 year old hospice patient who is legally blind and needs resources who can help with in home adaptive voice activated technologies

12:24:45     From  kathleen macleod   to   Hosts and panelists : Thank you!!

12:25:07     From  Carol Edwards : I am a guide dog user, I have RP. You have to be proficient with a mobility cane before you apply for a guide dog.

12:25:26     From  kathleen macleod   to   Hosts and panelists : Excellent- thank you Carol!

12:26:11     From  Carol Edwards : I would be very happy to talk about my experience with applying for a  guide dog, using a guide dog every day and living with a guide dog

12:27:31     From  Eileen Bennett : what is does "vision rehab" entail?  Only after a surgical procedure?

12:27:58     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Astigmatism https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/astigmatism/symptoms-causes

12:28:58     From  Joani Latimer : Would recommendations for persons with Stargardt's disease differ from those for age-related macular degeneration? Have there been any breakthroughs - e.g., potential treatments?

12:28:59     From  jane omelia : can you define macula puckering and can there anything be done about it  can it be treated if it effect reading

12:36:00     From  Kimberly DeVore : How rare is birdshot syndrome? My friend has had it for years. She is cutting back on mycophenolate per her specialist. I do not know if she is on steroids. Is it possible that she will be able to hold on to her vision?

12:39:34     From  Suzanne Brooks : i know people who have one far sighted lens and the other eye has near sighted lens. can anybody do this? why do folks do this

12:39:58     From  Catherine Twitmyer   to   Hosts and panelists : Are there resources in more rural areas like SW Virginia?  How do we find them?

12:40:26     From  Betty Alvares   to   Hosts and panelists : I have cataracts developing in both my eyes. Not ready for surgical removal. I also have retinopathy. Would the laser surgery you have talked about take care of all my eye problems?

12:41:33     From  Debra Hallisey : Are there different low vision compensating strategies for Glaucoma?

12:43:26     From  Betty Alvares   to   Hosts and panelists : how do I go about making an appointment with you doc.?

12:44:19     From  Trista Windows : Good afternoon - such a wonderful presentation. I work for a small business that offers driver rehabilitation and evaluations. We've worked with several of Dr. Alibhai's patients to ensure they are meeting the standards for safe driving and state licensing requirements. If you have questions related to vision and driving you can reach us at info@driverrehabcenter.com or 703-345-2990

12:44:30     From  Alyson Linville : Is there in home therapy for someone newly blind?

12:45:09     From  Betty Alvares   to   Hosts and panelists : what is the fax number you are talking about, Sean?

12:46:05     From  Sean Curry   to   Betty Alvares and all panelists : Your doctor's office fax number

12:47:08     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS/AREDS2) https://www.nei.nih.gov/research/clinical-trials/age-related-eye-disease-studies-aredsareds2

12:48:14     From  Tammie Peterson : What were those vitamins or supplements again?

12:49:58     From  Alyson Linville : Where is your office?

12:50:46     From  Mrs. John Honig : Excellent topic;  thanks for addressing it and bringing in the experts.

12:51:24     From  Debra Hallisey : How can Assistive Technology help in low vision?

12:52:16     From  Catherine Twitmyer   to   Hosts and panelists : Are there national resources we can tap into for more low-vision strategies and technologies?

12:54:52     From  Amy Marchant   to   Hosts and panelists : I’m an OT that specializes in home modifications, safety and aging in place. Do you have any recommendations for low vision adaptations within the home? We do a lot of what you’ve mentioned already, but any specific devices or techniques to reduce glare, etc

12:55:18     From  Betty Alvares   to   Hosts and panelists : email address for Sean Curry, please

12:57:09     From  Dr. Suleiman Alibhai   to   Amy Marchant and all panelists : Amy there are OT resources specific for low vision modifications for the home. Many OT’s are now specializing in low vision rehabilitation and learning all these strategies. I can send a link to Steve about some low vision resources for home modifications.

12:58:49     From  Janet Bullinger   to   Hosts and panelists : how does one find an occupational therapist to come into your home;  do you need a prescription from a doctor?

12:59:48     From  Sharon Payne   to   Hosts and panelists : The VisionAware.org has a Directory with a drop down box of every state in the US

13:00:14     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : https://visionservealliance.org/

13:00:17     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : The VisionAware.org has a Directory with a drop down box of every state in the US

13:00:17     From  Sharon Payne   to   Hosts and panelists : Vision Serve Alliance and Vision Aware are part of the American Foundation of the Blind.

13:00:43     From  Robert Cornett   to   Hosts and panelists : Can we get a copy of the chat.

13:00:59     From  Gail Evans   to   Hosts and panelists : Wonderful show!  Many thanks!

13:01:35     From  Sharon Payne   to   Hosts and panelists : Awesome presentation. Thank you

13:01:59     From  Sharon Payne   to   Hosts and panelists : And they are listed in the Directory on VisionAware

13:02:41     From  Carol Edwards : I received cane training in VA frm the Department of the Blind and Visually Impaired

13:03:27     From  Sharon Payne : Carol, thanks for your service. The VA started rehab services in the US and set the example for much of the world.

13:04:11     From  Fran Sanderson   to   Hosts and panelists : You can ask the Pharmacist this question.

13:05:27     From  Debra Hallisey : Is the additional light better being task light or overhead light?

13:05:46     From  Mrs. John Honig : Is it normal after cataract surgery to still see the "sunburst" effect from street lights, auto beams?

13:07:08     From  Sean Curry   to   Betty Alvares and all panelists : Hi Betty, scurry@youreyes.org

13:07:31     From  Betty Alvares   to   Hosts and panelists : thanks Sean.

13:07:42     From  Amy Marchant   to   Hosts and panelists : Thanks Dr. Alibhai

13:07:45     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Progressive supranuclear palsy https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/progressive-supranuclear-palsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20355659

13:07:48     From  Sharon Payne   to   Hosts and panelists : Not all Occupational therapists have low vision backgrounds. Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists do. https://www.acvrep.org/certifications/cvrt-scope

13:08:13     From  Sharon Payne   to   Hosts and panelists : Again, they are available through the State and non-profit agencies.

13:10:21     From  Trista Windows : OT here - there are a lot of therapists in the field who specialize in low vision :-)

13:13:30     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Amy Marchant to All Panelists 12:54 PM

I’m an OT that specializes in home modifications, safety and aging in place. Do you have any recommendations for low vision adaptations within the home? We do a lot of what you’ve mentioned already, but any specific devices or techniques to reduce glare, etc

13:13:48     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Sharon Payne to All Panelists 01:08 PM

Not all Occupational therapists have low vision backgrounds. Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists do. https://www.acvrep.org/certifications/cvrt-scope

Again, they are available through the State and non-profit agencies.

13:14:09     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Tammie Peterson 01:13 PMFor those here in Georgia...Freedom & Mobility

www.freedomandmobility.com

13:14:33     From  Sean Curry : https://www.youtube.com/@youreyesdc/videos

Recordings of different eye conditions and diseases

13:14:40     From  Tammie Peterson : www.freedomandmobility.com  helps with access driving ability.

13:14:44     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Janet Bullinger to All Panelists 12:58 PM

how does one find an occupational therapist to come into your home;  do you need a prescription from a doctor?

13:15:20     From  Sharon Payne   to   Hosts and panelists : https://eyewiki.aao.org/Driving_Restrictions_per_State

13:16:06     From  kathleen macleod   to   Hosts and panelists : Thank you for your time and expertise!  You are AWESOME!!

13:16:19     From  Sara Yamamoto : Thank you all so much!

13:16:25     From  Amy Marchant   to   Hosts and panelists : Thank you all so much! Great talk

13:16:35     From  Sherry Martin : This was great info! Thank you all!

13:17:07     From  Betty Alvares : very informative talk.Thank you.

13:17:58     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Sharon Payne to All Panelists 01:15 PM

https://eyewiki.aao.org/Driving_Restrictions_per_State

13:17:58     From  Michelle   to   Hosts and panelists : Fantastic information! Thank you!

13:18:11     From  Trista Windows : www.aded.net - this will give you a comprehensive list of Driver Rehab Specialists in your state

13:18:11     From  Alyson Linville : Thank you all so much!  This is a wonderful resource!

13:18:21     From  Helen Owhonda : Thank for very informative discussion and information.