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.
Listen to this on your favorite podcast platform
Questions Asked
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.
CURRENT ISSUE
All MD-DC-VA 2023CURRENT ISSUE
PA-NJ-DE