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“Helping someone with low vision and giving them the tools to live independent, productive, and happy lives can hopefully be achieved by listening to qualified speakers, learning about adaptive tools and technologies and available resources,” Marlene Pilger, one of the two ladies who started M’Eye Low Vision Group, said, summarizing the group’s mission.
The group’s first guest speaker spoke on the need for daily safety. Having the necessary tools at their fingertips certainly creates a safer environment for low vision seniors. Aiding the low-vision person’s residual vision are many optical devices, as is noted in Part 3 of this series. These can include bioptic telescopes for aiding in driving and focusable telescopes for close-up reading. Talking books that read to you are available from local libraries or from the Library of Congress, as are larger printed books or checks or computer keyboards to enhance the vision of the visually impaired person.
The Low Vision Products Show is sponsored by the Lighthouse for People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired. This touring show features the latest in vision devices, such as a voice-activated GPS, speech-to-text dictation programs, talking clocks and watches and large-button phones. The staff will demonstrate and let you try the variety of items available. For information, call 1-800-919-3375 or shop online at chicagolighthouse.org/store.
Wheaton Eye Clinic’s highly recommended Spectrios Institute for Low Vision (Wheaton and LaGrange locations) is an all-purpose, low-vision facility serving the area. Eye doctors and other strong support groups are available, along with visual aids with instruction provided. There are many programs located on the institute’s site. One includes a mock kitchen designed to teach necessary practical skills.
“Since my vision is not sharp, it is difficult for me to work in the kitchen – and that means preparing meals has become hard work, as lighting is not bright enough at times for major cooking,” Pilger said. “I’ve had to learn how to prepare easy meals.”
“They [Spectrios Institute] recommended a wonderful light that I use for reading. Their recommendation of the iPad has been absolutely wonderful, as I’m able to do so much with all that technology.”
The institute gave Pilger a grant for purchasing her light and prism glasses there.
“I was working when I became legally blind, and most of my original equipment was through vocational rehabilitation,” Bonnie Hibel, a co-facilitator for M’Eye Low Vision Support Group, said.
Depending on the senior’s circumstances, such equipment can be covered by Medicare and insurance, as well.
Among other support resources introduced in Sun City’s earlier vision support groups are the following: The Center for Sight and Hearing in Rockford, Second Sense in Chicago (formerly the Guild for the Blind), Independent Living Aids Catalogue Company, Hadley School for the Blind, Centegra’s Wellness Center in Prairie Lodge, and The Sun City/Huntley Lions.
Recent transportation resources include Faith in Action and Route 47 Taxi ($7 for rides within Huntley) and the Grafton Township bus. Rutland Township residents note: though the Grafton Township bus is currently available for your use, it will no longer be as of Nov. 30. Concerning this financial issue, letters to Rutland’s supervisor may be written.
Research continues in all fields of visual disabilities. Hibel said there is little known on her condition, Ischemic Optic Neuropathy, but research is currently being conducted in the U.S. and Israel.
“You can read on FFB.org [Foundation Fighting Blindness], start from there,” Linda Hallman, who has been active in Sun City’s vision groups through the years, said. “I have read about advances using stem cell research, the implanting of a mini monoscope. [There is] new hope for people with RP [Retina Pigmentosa] and MD [Macular Degeneration].”
With a HiSeq machine used to read DNA, the University of Miami’s Human Genetics Lab discovered the cause of the inherited eye disease Retina Pigmentosa. Vanderbilt University Medical Center is now one of 12 approved U.S. sites to offer the first FDA-approved bionic eye for the treatment of RP. It is a known fact that, as a result of research discoveries, nutritional means are being used to slow down the progression of dry, age-related Macular Degeneration problems, while Wet AMD patients can now be helped by medical shots directly into the eyes.
One Sun City resident, who prefers to remain anonymous, was helped through a procedure known as a trabeculectomy, which received medical approval in June 2012.
“This is used for mild or moderate open-eye glaucoma,” the resident said. “A titanium device resembling a periscope puts a new drain into the eyeball so fluid drains out and lowers the [eye’s] pressure. You go blind, if pressure is not brought down.”
All seniors should try to eat foods known to promote healthy eyes. The list includes: vitamin C from oranges, strawberries, leafy greens; zinc from turkey and chicken; vitamin E from almonds and peanut butter; Omega-3s from salmon, tuna, and halibut; vitamin A from cantaloupe, carrots, and mangoes.
Be alert to sudden changes in your vision. These can include loss of vision in one eye, blurred vision, flashes of light or new floating black spots, halos or rainbows around light, curtain-like blotting out of vision, loss of peripheral vision. Prevent Blindness America recommends seeking emergency ophthalmic treatment, if these conditions occur.
• M’Eye Low Vision Group will not meet in October. Their next meeting is scheduled for November 18 in Prairie Lodge’s Fountainview Room.
