Low Vision Blog

Diabetes can have a drastic effect on several of the body’s major organs, and it can particularly degrade one’s eyes, possibly leading to low vision, or even blindness. Diabetic Retinopathy, a common low vision disease caused by diabetes, is the number one cause of blindness for American adults. There is no cure, but it’s progress […]

Retinal implants are becoming available in many different forms, from intraocular lenses and telescopes to drug delivery systems. NeuroTech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. out of Cumberland, Rhode Island specializes in chronic eye diseases and has developed an implant that provides continuous medication to the back of the eye through a one or 5 chamber implanted device. Encapsulated […]

In addition to guiding visually impaired humans, guide dogs can also lead other… dogs. When Kiaya (a 10-year old Akita breed) lost her eyes from Glaucoma, her siblings came to the rescue. Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerves, and it can eventually lead to blindness; Kiaya had both of her eyes removed […]

Eye doctors want their patients to be wearing the right sunglasses. The fact is, many pairs of shades fail to protect the wearer from dangerous UV rays that can damage their eyes. Most people are aware of the harm that the sun can do to our skin, but the sun’s UV rays can also literally […]

As we get older, age-related vision loss is commonplace, with rampant low vision diseases like macular degeneration or glaucoma. You, or perhaps a friend or relative, may be struggling to see. There are preventative measures, such as routine eye exams and a healthy diet, but it’s important to know what’s good, and conversely, what is […]

The Lions Club is helping blind and low vision students across Illinois by providing schools with an assortment of new equipment. This low vision assistive technology makes it easy for visually impaired students to follow lessons, take tests, and participate with the rest of the class, without missing a beat. In addition to donations, they […]

This month, the 2015 Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research was awarded to Ophthalmology  Prof. Bob Massof of  John Hopkins University’s School of Medicine. The prestigious award, named after the brave woman who impressed the world with her coruage to overcome blindness and deafness, honors those who dedicate their careers to low vision awareness and […]

One of the best ways to maintain good eyesight is with a healthy diet, focused on certain key ingredients. Our bodies depend on this nourishment, and our eyes in particular thrive off of nutrients like beta-carotene and Omega-3 fatty acids. It’s all about the choices we make when it comes to our meals, and the […]

Things that, you’d think, would be impossible without eyesight. Intricate, life-like paintings, or detailed sculptures. Unmitigated works of art. Consider, for instance, John Bramblitt, who is  a blind painter. Although he has never seen his wife or son, John is able to create lifelike visages of his family, just by touching their faces. A blind […]

It’s no secret: as we climb up the years in life, we can begin to experience gradual vision loss. Many seniors are living with low vision from diseases like macular degeneration or glaucoma, and the numbers continue to rise… with no available cure. However, there is hope in prevention and early detection, which is possible […]