Traveling with Low Vision

The following post is by Lauren Tappan:

       Recently I flew by myself to San Diego, California.  It is a daunting task for a low-vision traveler to fly alone.   As mobility is not an issue for me I had considered using the general travel cart that the  average traveler uses to get around an airport quickly.  My previous experience with this has not been good.  Usually the cart is not available when I get to the gate.  I try to make it on my own so as not to  miss my flight.  Usually I am in a panic and have to ask many strangers to make sure I am walking to the right terminal and gate.

         This time I ordered a wheelchair and this made all the difference.  When I arrived in Dallas, TX, I had to take a small airport train to the next terminal.  The train had a digital message board over the door  but no audio announcement of what terminal was available.  I could not read the digital sign.   If I hadn’t had  the wheelchair, I would have certainly missed my connecting flight.

         I found the people that handled the wheelchair   to be very helpful and kind.  The airline got me on the plane before the other passengers which allowed me the time      to make all the adjustments I needed easily.  Having the wheelchair took all the panic out of flying alone for me.  It  all went so smoothly, I will most certainly try it again.

          Hope this works for you.

Clear Reader Plus

The following post is from Lauren Tappan:

 Check out the Clear Reader Plus.  I have found this to be a remarkable treat for anyone with low-vision who loves to read.  It is a piece of equipment that every low-vision center should have.

I will be at the Harwich, Mass. Brooks Free Library on June 15, Friday at 2:00 pm.   They have the best selection of low-vision equipment I have seen in a public facility.  They have a group reader and lively discussions when I was there a year ago.  I am hoping that this service continues.  I will talk about my experience with assistive devices as well as the low-vision blog.

For more info:

http://www.optelec.com/en_US/optelec-clear-reader

Stargazing Science Used to See Inside the Human Eye

A technique originally developed to see distant stars now allows researchers to diagnose eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration months to years sooner than possible with other current methods.

When ophthalmologists and vision scientists try to look deep into our eyes, distortions within the cornea and lens impair light as it travels through the eyeball, frustrating their efforts. Lately, a growing group of vision scientists have turned to a solution pioneered by astronomers—adaptive optics, originally developed by the military and used by astronomers such as Scot Olivier at California’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to produce clear images of faraway stars. Applied to looking into the human eye, the technique allows researchers to view minute details never before seen and to diagnose blinding disease like macular degeneration months to years before current methods allow.

Read more: Stargazing Science Used to See Inside the Human Eye – Popular Mechanics

Monash Vision to develop Direct to Brain Bionic Eye

The Monash Vision direct to brain bionic eye system will combine state of the art digital and biomedical technology with consumer-friendly glasses.

A digital camera embedded in the glasses will capture images. As your head turns, the glasses, of course, turn with you. Cutting edge digital processors will modify the images captured by the camera; a wireless transmitter will then present the image that you are “looking at” to a chip that has been implanted at the back of the brain. The chip will then directly stimulate the visual cortex of the brain with electrical signals using an array of micro-sized electrodes -the brain will learn to interpret these signals as sight.

Goal: first implants by 2014.

For more info:

http://www.monash.edu.au/bioniceye/technology%20ORIGINAL.html

http://www2.electronicproducts.com/Group_to_test_direct_to_brain_bionic_eye_on_human_patients-article-fajb_bionic_eye_may2012-html.aspx

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT DRY EYES?

To give tired, scratchy eyes soothing relief, try these preventive steps:

• Make your world more humid. If your dry eyes are due to dry air, running a portable humidifier in your home may alleviate symptoms by adding moisture to dry indoor environments, especially during the winter. And wearing a wet gauze eye mask while sleeping can keep eyes moist and prevent tear evaporation. Tip: If possible, try to use lubricant eye drops before you engage in activities that are visually demanding, such as staring at a computer screen, driving, and reading.
• Eat more eye-friendly foods. Although it’s rare in developed countries, dry eyes can be caused by a lack of vitamin A. Either way, ensuring that you get the optimal amount of vitamin A can boost your overall eye health. Vitamin A-rich foods include carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, pumpkin, and mango. Other nutrients that may be good for your eyes include lutein and zeaxanthin.
• Take note of medication side effects. Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines, diuretics, sleeping pills, beta blockers, and pain relievers, can reduce your body’s ability to create lubricating tears. If you experience dry eyes as a medication side effect, ask your healthcare provider about alternatives, or find out if you are a candidate for lubricant eye drops that you can use while taking your medication.
• Wear sunglasses. Protecting your eyes when you are outdoors on bright or windy days not only shields your eyes from harsh UV light but also helps keep eyes moist by preventing tear evaporation. Wraparound sunglasses may help minimize the wind’s drying effect.
• Rest your eyes often. If you spend several hours in front of the computer, give your eyes a break now and then. Look away from the screen, focus your attention on an object that is more than 8 feet away, and concentrate on it for about 5 seconds. Repeat this exercise a few times every hour. Also, blink frequently to help evenly distribute lubricating tears.

 

For more info: 

http://www.realage.com/eye-health/combatting-dry-irritated-eyes

 

Symptoms of Cataracts

Only an eye care professional can diagnose cataracts, but it may be time to schedule an eye exam if you notice any of these common signs:

• Blurry or fuzzy vision
• Trouble seeing at night
• Double vision (single objects appear as two)
• A glow or halo effect around lights
• Changes to color vision (colors are less vivid, maybe brownish)

For more info:

http://www.realage.com/eye-health/symptoms-of-cataracts?eid=1010663482&memberid=5480241

LVATUG Goes World Wide

When we first created this blog, it was to serve the Low Vision community of the North Carolina Triangle area. Thanks to the Internet and WordPress, we have reached the entire world. Here is a list of countries that have viewed us so far.

United States

India

Canada

United Kingdom

Turkey

Australia

Russian Federation

Czech Republic

Germany

Ireland

Thailand

Trinidad and Tobago

Saudi Arabia

Serbia

Iraq

Singapore

Hong Kong

Israel

Brazil

Italy

Hungary

Romania

France

Morocco

South Africa

Indonesia

Belgium

Spain

Pakistan

Switzerland

Guatemala

Egypt

News from the NFB and the FFB

This post is from Lauren Tappan:

• The FFB, Foundation for Fighting Blindness, will have their Vision 2012 Conference at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis from June 28 to July 1.
• The NFB, National Federation for the Blind, will have their National Convention in Dallas, June 31 to July 5.  NFB will have their NC state convention at Camp Dogwood.
• The Governor Moorhead School for The Blind in Raleigh is closing. A blind residential program will remain. This Blind Residential program will be a satellite of Wilson Deaf School. http://www.encsd.net/
• There is now an effort to merge the commission for the blind into a super social services division and NFB is hoping this will not happen.

If you would like to have more information in regards to NFB or any of the above, contact Gary Ray at 828-505-0299.

Breakthrough in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

In what could potentially lead to a novel therapy for one of the common forms of blindness, scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered that a part of the immune system called the infllamosome is involved in regulating the development of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). They have discovered that by controlling an inflammatory component IL-18, in cases of AMD could prevent the development of the disease.

The scientists at Trinity, Dr Sarah Doyle and Dr. Mathew Campbell have discovered that drusen can lead to two inflammatory components named IL- 1beta and IL-18.

“Traditionally, inflammation in the retina or indeed the eye in general is not beneficial and is a pathological hallmark of many eye diseases, including AMD. However we have identified, that one inflammatory component termed IL-18 acts as a so-called anti-angiogenic factor, preventing the progression of wet AMD” said Dr. Campbell.

The results of the study indicate that by controlling the levels of IL-18, in the patients with the dry form of the disease could prevent the development of the wet form of the disease. Dr Doyle is positive that this research could pave way for new treatments for this disease.

US has about 1.8 million 40 years or older that are affected by AMD and an additional 7.3 million with large drusen are at risk of developing AMD. By 2020, US will have about 2.90 million people with AMD.

The research was published in the international medical journal Nature Medicine.

More Info:

http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20120410/9474/blindness-age-related-macular-degeneration-amd-therapy.htm

http://topnews.us/content/247576-drug-prevent-advance-age-related-macular-degeneration

 

Are You at Risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

The Journal of American Ophthalmology explains the risk factors for Macular Degeneration.

Knowing the risk factors, being aware of family history, and keeping regular appointments with an Eye M.D. can help reduce the risks for vision loss from macular degeneration. In its most severe form, known as wet AMD, the disease can lead to permanent loss of central vision which is essential for driving, reading, and recognizing faces.

“The past few years have been marked by significant improvement in understanding the causes and the treatment of AMD,” says George Williams, MD, an AMD expert. “New research and clinical advances are helping us to better treat both the ‘dry’ AMD and ‘wet’ forms of AMD. One strong risk factor that people may not be aware of is family history. It’s important to find out whether your relatives have had AMD, and to tell your Eye M.D., if you have a history of AMD in your family. Knowing your risks can save your sight.”

Here are the top 5 risk factors for AMD:

• Being over the age of 60
• Having a family history of AMD
• Cigarette smoking
• Obesity
• Hypertension

People with any two of these risk factors should schedule an appointment for a complete evaluation with an Eye M.D., who may recommend certain preventive measures which can reduce the risk of vision loss from this disorder.

For more info:  http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/eye-health-news/top-5-risks-for-amd.cfm