News about advances in research and treatment related to vision loss can come at us in quantities that are not only abundant, but also quite redundant. Here is a selection of noteworthy developments reported in 2024. We’ll be watching for interesting topics to add and progress to share.
The iDose TR, is implanted in the eye to automatically deliver glaucoma medicine consistently for up to 3 years. The device replaces the need for manually administered eye drops. Learn More
Retinal Implant
Science Announces Positive Preliminary Results For Vision Restoration In Pivotal Clinical Trial
Science Corporation introduced the Prima implant, an advanced retinal device that has shown promising results in restoring vision for individuals with geographic atrophy, a form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Clinical trials reported significant improvements in visual acuity among participants. Learn More
Stargardt Pill
Daily tablet Shows Promise as First Treatment for Stargardt Disease
The drug, gildeuretinol (ALK-001), has shown the potential to slow disease progression by more than 20% during the 2 year phase 1 & 2 clinical trials. Based on these results the drug appears to be on fast track for FDA approval. Learn More
Studies highlight that individuals with eye conditions such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and glaucoma have a higher risk of falls and fractures. This underscores the importance of integrating fall prevention strategies into eye care for affected patients. Learn More
Macular Degeneration
Scientists Get Closer to Stopping Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 50. Treatments currently available slow the inevitable progression of the disease, but none actually halt it. Researchers have just discovered a protein that might possibly change that. Learn More
Living with vision loss is a journey filled with challenges, adaptations, and—most importantly—possibilities. As we navigate this path, questions arise that are often shared by many others facing similar experiences. Below, we address some of the most common concerns about vision loss, offering practical insights and guidance.
What is the difference between low vision and blindness?
Low vision refers to a significant visual impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. It often affects one’s ability to perform daily tasks but does not result in total blindness. Blindness, on the other hand, encompasses a range of conditions, from partial vision to no light perception. Legally blind individuals have a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in their better eye, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less.
What are the leading causes of vision loss?
The most common causes include:
• Macular Degeneration: Damage to the central part of the retina, affecting sharp, detailed vision.
• Glaucoma: A condition causing damage to the optic nerve, often due to high eye pressure.
• Cataracts: Clouding of the lens, which can often be treated with surgery.
• Retinitis Pigmentosa: A genetic disorder leading to gradual peripheral vision loss.
Understanding the cause of vision loss is crucial for managing symptoms and exploring treatment options.
Is there anything I can do to prevent vision loss?
Prevention starts with regular eye exams, especially if you’re over 40 or have a family history of eye disease. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a diet rich in leafy greens, fruits, and omega-3 fatty acids, exercising regularly, and managing chronic conditions like diabetes. Protect your eyes from UV rays with sunglasses, and avoid smoking, which increases the risk of many eye diseases.
How do I adapt to vision loss in daily life?
Adapting to vision loss requires practical solutions and emotional resilience. Here are some tips:
• Use Assistive Technology: Screen readers, magnifiers, and text-to-speech devices can enhance independence.
• Organize Your Space: Keep items in consistent places to locate them easily.
• Rely on Contrast: Use contrasting colors for everyday objects to make them more visible.
• Seek Rehabilitation Services: Vision rehabilitation specialists can teach new strategies for cooking, reading, and navigating safely.
Will I lose all my vision?
The progression of vision loss depends on the underlying condition. Some diseases, like macular degeneration, may stabilize with treatment. Others, like retinitis pigmentosa, may lead to more gradual changes. It’s important to work closely with your eye care provider to monitor changes and explore interventions.
How can I stay positive while living with vision loss?
Staying positive starts with acknowledging your feelings—grief, frustration, or fear are natural. Build a support network of friends, family, and others who understand your experience. Set achievable goals and celebrate progress, no matter how small. Remember, vision loss does not define your ability to live a fulfilling, independent life.
What resources are available for people with vision loss?
There’s a wealth of resources available:
• National Organizations: Groups like HadleyHelps.org, American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and Lighthouse Guild offer tools, education, and community connections.
• Local Services: Check for vision loss support groups and rehabilitation services in your area.
• Technology: Apps like Be My Eyes, Seeing AI, or specialized GPS systems provide support and accessibility.
Living with vision loss may seem overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone. The right combination of knowledge, tools, and support can transform challenges into opportunities. Keep asking questions, seeking solutions, and embracing life with vision—not just of the eyes, but of the mind and heart.
While Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is commonly believed to be caused by uncontrollable risk factors such as family history, light color eyes, female gender, genetics and advanced age, mounting research suggests that preventing AMD may be more in our control than we think. Improving nutrition habits through small dietary changes has been found to prevent and slow the development of AMD, a leading cause of vision loss in the United States.
Many studies, including the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and AREDS 2, have shown the benefit of micronutrient supplementation in delaying the progression in patients with intermediate to advanced AMD. Many popular brands of eye vitamins now contain the study’s daily recommended daily formulation: 500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, 40 to 80 mg zinc, 2 mg copper, as well as 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin.
Healthy, Mediterranean-Style Eating
Collage of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables
Diets rich in green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach, fruit and berries, nuts and legumes, and fish is the whole food counterpart to the AREDS supplement recommendation that is not only cancer-protective and heart-healthy, but a dietary line of defense against developing AMD, especially among high risk people.
Consumption of flavonoid-rich foods, specifically, has additionally been found to prevent AMD. Flavonoids are a type of polyphenol and powerful antioxidant found in many fruits and vegetables, as well as dried herbs, tea, red wine, and dark chocolate. A 15-year study conducted by the Westmead Institute for Medical Research on over 2,000 Australian adults over age 50 found that those with the highest consumption of total flavonoids, had the lowest odds of AMD by as much as 60 percent. Some of the foods highest in flavonoid content include: dried parsley, fresh capers, dried oregano, green tea, black tea, dark chocolate, leafy vegetables, onions, apples, berries, cherries, soybeans, and citrus fruits.
Macronutrients Matter Too
On the contrary to a diet rich in plant-based foods, diets high in fat, which is one of three main macronutrients, are strongly associated with a higher incidence of AMD. The Western style or standard American diet, which is a common style of eating among people living in the United States, is comprised largely of high-fat foods like full-fat dairy, butter or margarine, processed and red meats, sweets and desserts, refined white grains, and French fries. Not surprisingly, this diet is also strongly linked to higher rates of overweight and obesity. A large epidemiological study by Adams et al, which followed over 21,000 participants enrolled in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study, separately confirmed abdominal fat as an independent risk factor for both early and late stage AMD. A study by Zhang et al found that having an elevated body mass index (BMI) increases the risk of AMD in a dose-dependent fashion, with 2% increased risk for each 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI within the overweight and obese BMI ranges.
More Research Indicates Importance of Nutrition
More recent studies are exploring the role of carbohydrates and the gut microbiota in AMD. The gut microbiome, or gut flora, are the trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, that live in the human digestive system. Consuming too much sugar, which is a carbohydrate, has been linked to obesity and many metabolic diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. A more recent experimental study in mice examined the effect of diets high in glucose, a simple carbohydrate, on the gut microbiome and AMD. In the animals fed a high glucose diet, there was a marked increase in harmful gut bacteria, which has been found to be related to greater retinal damage. In the mice fed a low glucose diet, on the other hand, there was a marked increase in beneficial gut bacteria, which has been associated with protection against AMD. While this research is new, it shows some promising and novel nutritional approaches to combat AMD.
Your Anti-AMD Game Plan
Older couple looking down happily at basket of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Next time you are in the supermarket, don’t forget: the choices are yours, remember to protect your eyes, and your health, through good food selection. Try to form an anti-AMD game plan that includes a variety of nutrient-rich colorful vegetables, fruits, healthy proteins and lower fat foods.
Here are 7 steps toward an eye-healthy diet:
Aim for 1-1/2 to 2 cups of dark green vegetables each week, such as broccoli, bok choy, collard greens, dark green leafy lettuce, kale, mustard greens, spinach, turnip greens, and watercress.
Make flavonoid-rich foods a regular part of your plate or cup: dried herbs, green or black tea, onions, apples, berries, cherries, soybean, and citrus fruits.
Find ways to include 1 to 2 cups of beans and peas throughout the week, like lentils, chickpeas, dried or canned beans, green peas, and peanuts.
Get your zinc naturally with seafood, chicken, pork, liver, eggs, wheat germ and fortified breakfast cereals.
Aim for 2 servings of omega-3 rich fish per week, such as salmon, sardines or mackerel. Replace regular fat foods with low fat versions, like low fat or non fat milk and cheese, and incorporate foods that are high in good fats, such as avocado, olive oil, nuts, and eggs.
Replace regular fat foods with low fat versions, like low fat or non fat milk and cheese, and incorporate foods that are high in good fats, such as avocado, olive oil, nuts, and eggs.
Try your hand at this nutritious and delicious salad mix.
Mixed salad with cutlery and shakers against a polka dot tablecloth.
Fennel & Orange Salad with Toasted Pistachios
Ingredients
2 navel oranges, peeled, quartered and thinly sliced
1 small bulb fennel, quartered, cored and very thinly sliced crosswise
1 cup very thinly sliced radishes, (about 8 radishes)
¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon lime juice
6 tablespoons shelled and lightly salted pistachios, toasted and chopped
¼ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Directions:
Combine orange slices, fennel, radishes (or jicama), cilantro, oil, lime juice, salt and pepper in a bowl. Gently toss to mix. Just before serving, sprinkle nuts over the salad.
Nutrition Facts per 1 cup serving:
181 calories; 12 g fat (2 g sat); 4 g fiber; 17 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 46 mcg folate; 0 mg cholesterol; 9 g sugars; 797 IU vitamin A; 50 mg vitamin C; 71 mg calcium; 1 mg iron; 176 mg sodium; 470 mg potassium
This article was previously published Feb 5, 2019 and updated Jul 9, 2024.
Michelle Milgrim, MS RD CDN CCMS, is a registered dietitian and culinary nutrition specialist with a food-first approach to health promotion and disease prevention. She is a clinical dietitian for Foodsmart and supports personal well-being goals in her own private practice.
Jennifer Young, Dietetic Intern, Northwell Health.
A total solar eclipse will happen on April 8th. It will travel a path that stretches through parts of Mexico, the United States and Canada. The planetary event is expected to attract many millions of eyes. Watching without the protection of authentic eclipse glasses or filters, puts all eyes at risk of retinal damage.
The solar eclipse occurs as the moon passes in front of the sun, obscuring the light and casting a dark shadow on parts of earth. The darkening of the sun, is the phase called Totality, lasting only a few brief moments. At this point they say it is “safe” to take the glasses off for a “moment.” Just don’t forget to put them back on. Retinal damage happens without warning. The damage is known as solar retinopathy and there is no treatment. Doctors urge caution. The effects range from minor to severe. Sometimes the eyes recover, sometimes they don’t.
The rare opportunity creates a buying frenzy for special eclipse glasses. Tens of millions of eclipse glasses have been sold. The soaring demand for these special glasses brings out the counterfeiters, so it’s difficult to trust or verify product authenticity and safety. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends referring to the list of eclipse products that conform to standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and published by the American Astronomical Society (AAS).
We learn early on that it is very bad to look directly into the sun. Watching a solar eclipse is risky, even with “authentic” eclipse glasses, because you are compelled to stare at the sun. It can definitely damage your vision. Experts agree, there is no completely safe way to view a solar eclipse. Why take the chance? Protecting your sight should always be your priority.
Total Solar Eclipse phases.
You don’t have to give up seeing this amazing event entirely. It will surely be one of the day’s most photographed moments. Just wait for a few minutes until the images begin posting online, then go right ahead and stare.
This article was originally published on Aug 15, 2017 and updated Mar 26, 2024.
The abundance of health benefits derived from regular exercise are well known and become particularly evident as we age. Engaging in aerobic activity on a consistent basis, is good for the heart, brain, bones and muscles, but it is less often discussed in relation to ophthalmic health. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, studies have shown a link between exercise and disease prevention. Physical activity may help promote healthy blood vessels in AMD patients and it can help patients better control diseases like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Exercise is shown to reduce the risk of developing age-related cataracts and physically active people have a lower incidence of dry eye. So while we’re waiting for the miracle cures to all these conditions, it’s best, if we can, get up and get moving!
How much exercise?
Reaping the rewards of regular exercise actually requires much less than you might think. The standard recommendation by the American Heart Association and the World Health Organization, among others, is 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week, or 30 minutes five days a week. The more vigorous the workout, the less time commitment, running instead of walking, can be satisfied with 75 minutes per week, or 15 minutes 5 days a week. It’s never too soon, or too late, to get started. Build your activity around something convenient and enjoyable. Consider cardio workouts including, walking, dancing, swimming and biking, indoors or out. Keeping it consistent will compound the benefit, long term, to your overall health and wellness.
Feet in white sneakers walking on treadmill
Exercise is the gift you give yourself. Make room for it in your schedule or incorporate it into daily activities, like replacing a bus, train or car ride with a brisk walk. Meet a friend for a fast walk around town or through a park. If a gym is comfortable and convenient, get on a treadmill, elliptical machine or stationary bike and move at your best pace. Put on some music and dance or do an aerobic workout. Take your dog out, exercise is great for their fitness too, and they’ll love you even more for it!
A diagnosis that involves an eye disease or uncorrectable vision loss is very often hard to wrap our brains around. We may exit the doctor’s office with more questions than when we arrived. Sometimes we just assume, if the doctor did not broach a subject, there is nothing to discuss. And very often we hear, there is nothing we can do, and we accept that as fact. But the real fact is the patient must take an equal and active role in decisions that effect health and functional well-being.
The National Eye Institute’s guidance for Talking With Your Eye Doctor, begins with, “It’s okay to ask lots of questions, remember it’s your doctor’s job to answer them.” They say, “Ask questions and keep asking until you get answers.” Here are their informed suggestions.
DIAGNOSIS?
– What condition do I have?
– What causes this condition?
– Will it affect my vision, now or in the future?
– Do I need to make any changes to my everyday life?
– Are there any symptoms I need to watch for? What do I need to do if I notice those symptoms?
– Can you give me some information about my condition to take home with me?
– What are vision rehabilitation services? How can I get them?
TESTS?
– Do I need any tests?
– What do you want to find out from the test?
– When will I get my test results?
– Does the test have any risks or side effects?
– Will I need more tests later?
TREATMENT?
– What treatment do you recommend for me and why?
– When will I start treatment and how long will it last?
– Are there any side effects?
– What are the risks and benefits of this treatment?
– Are there other treatment options?
KEEP TRACK.
– Take notes during your appointment. You can write down your notes, or record your conversation with your cell phone so you can listen to it later.
– Ask a friend or family member to come with you to the appointment. They can take notes, help you ask questions, or just be there to listen and support you.
– Ask your doctor to write down the main points from the visit. They may also be able to print instructions or other important information for you.
On February 17, 2023, the FDA approved the first-ever treatment for advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), also known as geographic atrophy (GA). In clinical trials, the drug SYFOVRE slowed the progression of GA with an increasing effect over the course of treatment. The drug from Apellis is approved for all GA patients and allows for flexibility in dosing from 25 to 60 days. The treatment demonstrated a high safety profile following 23,000 injections over 24 months in clinical trials. The most common adverse reactions, affecting about 5% of patients, were ocular discomfort, floaters, and broken blood vessels. However, a safety update was issued by Apellis a few months after the drug became available.
On August 23, 2023, Fierce Pharma reported that Apellis flagged needle problems related to the administration of Syforvre injections. The advisory is in response to a rare but potentially blinding side effect of retinal vasculitis, which blocks blood flow to the retina.
Advanced dry-AMD / GA affects approximately 1 million people in the U.S. and 5 million worldwide. It is a continuation of the dry form of macular degeneration, where there is a loss of retinal cells, resulting in blind spots. These blind spots usually develop just outside the center of your vision but may progress to involve the center over time. Progressive vision loss can lead to legal blindness, impacting independence and quality of life.
Alternative views of photo through the eyes of patient without and with GA
Patients and healthcare providers can call Apellis Assist at 888-273-5547 for information and support. Prior FDA approved treatments in use were developed for advanced neovascular or wet-AMD in which abnormal blood vessels develop underneath the retina and cause bleeding and swelling of the macula. This happens in approximately 10% of all cases of AMD. Common symptoms include blurriness and waviness or loss of central vision.
On August 4, 2023, the FDA approved a second injectable treatment for advanced dry-AMD. The drug, IZERVAY, from Astellas Pharma Inc., was shown to slow disease progression in global Phase 3 clinical trials. IZERVAY treatment will be available, in the U.S., September 2023. SYFOVRE became available, in the U.S., March 2023. It is under review by the European Medicines Agency for 2024 and an application has been submitted to Health Canada.
Please note: OE Patients receives no compensation from products or brands mentioned in this publication.
Post originally published Feb 28, 2023 and most recently updated Sep 12, 2023.
People dealing with vision loss often find a great benefit in talking with others who understand and live with the same challenges. Connecting with others who are going through similar experiences, provides an opportunity to share first hand knowledge, coping strategies, concerns and emotions. A supportive group can fill the void not addressed by medical care or the support of family and friends.
Support groups may be in-person, tele-support or online communities. The groups may be led by professional or non-professional facilitators. Some groups offer guest speakers and educational programming. They may be offered through a non-profit advocacy group, clinic, hospital, community center or independent entity.
Finding the group with common experience is not usually as easy as a Google search. Access and availability is dependent on location and limits in size.
People in a support group
How to Explore the Possible Options
Ask Your Physician and Healthcare Team
First inquire with your doctor, or low vision specialist, and their office staff, or patient advocate, for programs they recommend or refer to. They will know of local resources or vision rehab agencies offering support programs. If they have no resources, ask for an introduction to another patient who is adjusting well.
Contact Vision Rehab Organizations Near You
Reach out to agencies serving people with vision loss in your area. Ask to speak with a counselor or social worker about support groups offered.
Research Community Center Programs
Senior and community centers are an excellent resource for support groups, particularly focused on age-related vision loss and low vision. If your local center is not providing these programs, ask them if they know of other centers that do.
Contact Local Chapter Organizations
For support groups serving people with a specific type of vision loss, or disease, it is helpful to contact local groups in your area to learn about support programs offered. In this context, a Google search can give you direct contact info, For macular degeneration, go to MDSupport.org and MacularSociety.org or learn about TeleSupport. Learn about support groups for inherited retinal diseases through local chapters of Foundation Fighting Blindness, and for glaucoma through the Glaucoma Research Foundation.
Facebook Communities & Support Groups
Search communities and support groups on Facebook that are disease specific or more general in focus: Stargardt Disease, Diabetic Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Low Vision and Blindness.
Some decisions require a good deal of thought and collaboration. It is perfectly natural to consult the advice of others for guidance. The very same premise applies to healthcare. When you lack confidence or clarity in diagnosis or treatment relating to a serious medical issue, it’s time for a second opinion. No need for hesitation, most doctors welcome the practice. In fact, they too are accustomed to seeking the opinions of their colleagues in the course of patient care.
Obtaining a second medical opinion is not a casual endeavor. Check with your health insurance company to confirm what is required for coverage. Your current specialist or primary care physician is a good source for referral to the second opinion. The consulting doctor should have the same level of training and experience, but should not be a close colleague of the first. Other resources for the second specialist include the insurance provider, local medical center, medical association or online search. Some well-known medical institutions such as, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and Weill Cornell offer online consultation. In all cases, medical records must be shared from the first opinion.
Doctor in consultation with patient
10 Good Reasons to Seek a Second Opinion
Diagnosis is unclear or in question
Doctor says nothing can be done
Treatment is unsupported by clinical evidence for your condition
Current treatment is not working
The communication is poor
You are concerned about the risks and potential side effects
You have a rare condition and need an experienced specialist
The doctor cannot identify the problem
The doctor is dismissive of your concerns
Peace of mind
Remember, you are an equal partner in the management of your healthcare and the decision making process. It is helpful to organize your questions and concerns, in writing for review with the first and second doctor. Communication is key to a successful doctor/patient relationship. Read more about how to Communicate Better With Your Doctor.
Sprouting greenery, blooming buds and warming temperatures deliver a clear and hope filled message of growth and renewal. Bring that freshness from outdoors inside with a good spring cleanup and get a needed boost to mental health and overall well-being at the end of a long winter.
Don’t let the task overwhelm you. Prioritize the areas needing most attention, then break those down into projects that will take 1-hour or less. In the kitchen, clean up and organize a single drawer or cabinet at a time. In the closet, weed out the old unused items, then put the keepers in good order. Whatever your approach, the result is uplifting.
A seasonal refresh holds rewards even greater for people with vision loss. Choose a few ways you can quickly improve your environment at home and think of it as a gift you give yourself. Clean always feels good and getting organized makes it possible to reach for something and find it in its designated place, which is a habit you’ll be delighted to repeat, over and over again, it never gets old.
Image of hands in rubber gloves washing dishes.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Get rid of clutter. Will you ever read that stack of magazines? Do you really need a CD collection? If in doubt, throw it out!
Clean your refrigerator thoroughly, and throw out old or expired items. Organize the shelves so the items used regularly are prioritized.
Image of cooking tools and utensils neatly organized in a kitchen drawer.
Organize your kitchen for daily use, one section at a time. Make sure utensil drawers are neatly arranged, and that your favorite dishes and glassware are easy to access. Clean all surfaces and wash all items with hot soapy water so they feel fresh and new.
Having your windows and carpets cleaned is a great way to refresh.
Now is the time to get your bathroom organized anew. Get rid of all the items you don’t use and give the things you’re always searching for their own special spot.
Image of leafy houseplant in a white ceramic pot.
Treat yourself to a new indoor foliage or a flowering houseplant. Refreshing the greenery cleanses the air and lifts your spirit.
Clean a closet or two. Get rid of clothes you don’t wear, you can donate to charity or consign them for resale.
Reorganize your closet for the new season. Put away winter gear neatly, for easy access when needed.
Get your home office cleaned up and organized as well, it’s guaranteed to improved productivity.
Go paperless, all bills and financial statements are available online.
Don’t forget to do a much-needed cleaning to purge old mail, outdated files and apps from your computer and mobile devices.
For more on this topic, see Related Posts at the bottom of page.
This post was first published Mar 27, 2020 and most recently updated Apr 18, 2023.
Regular exercise delivers both immediate and long-term benefits to our physical and mental wellbeing. For people with vision loss, working out can be complicated. But it doesn’t have to be. Exercise with a buddy, get some help from a trainer, or click on some well-described guided exercise in the privacy of your own home. Do it your way, there are plenty of options. Included in this curated collection of accessible workouts are strength training and feel-good exercises, accessible equipment, eyes-free audio guides, and wonderful tips on the topic from our friends at Hadley.
Friends workout together using exercise and medicine balls
Daily Moves Keep Your Body Happy
The body is built to move and doing so upgrades all the markers of good health which carry us well into old age. Start improving the way you feel by working these movements naturally into your day. Stand on one leg while brushing your teeth, squeeze your butt whenever standing still, walk while talking on the phone, sit on the floor and get up again, bounce or skip to improve balance and don’t forget to squat. Start practicing these life changing moves today with this guide from The Guardian.
Group of mature adults in strength training session
Cane and Able Fitness
Evan Schwarbrock doesn’t let vision loss interfere with his fitness; it is an essential part of his mental health and he wants to help you, too. In 2020, the professional trainer launched Cane and Able Fitness online to create an accessible resource for people with visual impairments. The website offers straightforward information on strength training, mobility and nutrition, workshops, consulting services and remote coaching. Get tips for comfortable working out at home or in the gym. Read the profile in SHAPE and visit CaneAndAbleFitness.com.
Smiling mature woman stretching after workout
The 8-Minute Joy Workout – NY Times
Whether you’re an avid exerciser or an anxious avoider, this workout will become a daily ritual, so good you’ll be delighted to repeat it, at least once every day. It’s easy to follow, and it makes you feel good immediately. Watch (or listen to) the video and you cannot contain yourself. It’s no accident, the movements are actually proven to elicit joy. The author and creator, Kelly McGonigal, is a psychologist who has also taught exercise classes for two decades and is well studied in the science of emotion. Get started with the video here.
Peloton’s Larger Text & Audio Features
The first known company to build accessibility features into internet-connected stationary bikes and treadmills. A TalkBack screen reader provides visually impaired users with audio feedback and live captions support users with hearing impairment. The inclusive features can be enabled in Peloton equipment owned privately or shared at a fitness center. The Accessibility Team at Peloton will answer your questions and help you get started. Contact [email protected]
Couple exercising together at home
Hadley’s Sports & Exercise Series
As always, the experts at Hadley have created a comprehensive guide filled with inspiring ideas for approaching fitness activities in your own way. Sports and exercise tips are presented in a friendly audio format ready to make fitness easier “no matter what your level of vision,” topics include: running, biking, skiing, boating, open water swimming, exercising in a class, using fitness equipment at home, and working out in a Gym. Hadley’s bite-size tutorials are also available in additional audio and print formats. Go to Sports & Exercise Series here.
Eyes Free Fitness –YouTube
An audio-only, well-described, series of 20-minute workouts, most led by Mel Scott of Blind Alive. Sessions work on upper body, lower body, stretching, balance, breathing, and strengthening. A soothing, friendly program that accommodates a wide range of ages and abilities. Access the Eyes Free Exercise Channel here.
Note: If you don’t normally exercise, are embarking on a more rigorous program, or have underlying conditions, consult with your physician first.
This post was first published Aug 22, 2022 and updated Apr 13, 2023.
Vision loss is an element of aging, but that is not to say it is out of our control. To what degree we experience changes in eyesight actually has a good deal to do with nutrition and lifestyle. It is really never too soon to begin taking care of your eyes. Starting young and developing good habits can help maintain visual function for the long term. No matter where you’re at in life, thinking about preserving your precious sight should compel action. Here are 5 good habits that can counteract the degenerating aspects of aging on the eyes.
Ripe tomatoes with fresh basil, garlic, and herbs.
Eat right and save sight.
Enjoy a nutrient-rich diet, emphasizing fish high in omega-3, a colorful assortment of whole fruits and veggies, along with plenty of citrus and lots of leafy greens, legumes, olive oil, nuts and grains.
The Mediterranean diet is known to keep the heart and brain in peak condition and to lower the cancer risk. A new study shows it can also significantly lessen the long-term effects of age-related macular degeneration. Read more about the study from American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
Prevent sun damage and injury to your eyes.
The importance of shielding eyes from the damaging rays of the sun cannot be overstated. Be sure your sunglasses block out at least 99% of UV rays. Wear safety goggles or protective glasses when engaged in sports or when working with hazardous and airborne materials. Read our 10 tips on keeping your eyes protected.
Don’t smoke.
Smoking is the most common factor in developing macular degeneration. It also contributes to cataracts and damage to the optic nerve. Smoking causes vasoconstriction, which restricts the blood supply to the eyes.
Get your eyes checked annually.
An annual comprehensive eye exam is essential at every age. It will help keep your eyes healthy and detect any early changes or the onset of disease. Early detection remains the most important factor in preventing loss of sight.
Give your eyes a break.
The computer screens our eyes spend so much time trained on, can and will cause blurry vision, dry eyes, difficulty focusing and general strain to the eye, neck and back. Get into the habit of giving your eyes a rest every 20 minutes by looking away for at least 20 seconds and refocusing into the distance.
And, yes, now is the perfect time to take that break. Go ahead…look away.
Post first published Oct 07, 2018 and updated Mar 17, 2023.
