Category: Making Adjustments

Tips and advice that will keep you doing the things you need and love to do.

Adjusting to More Vision Loss, Again

Losing sight is most often an incremental process, not a one shot deal. Progressive vision loss
comes at a pace that allows us to compensate, unlike a sudden, dramatic loss, but both can
turn our lives upside down for a time. We might even forget, in the midst of these changes, the
power we possess as human beings to tap into our natural resilience. Which is not to say that
any of this is easy, and no matter how many times we’ve adjusted to more vision loss, each
new event can be a significant challenge. The thing to remember is, we can and will adjust,
again.

A change in vision may be disconcerting at any level. Some patients find a 5 or 10 point decline in acuity unnerving. For others, larger dips allow for quieter compensations. All the while we’re hoping for little or no change, and even when we are doing all the right things, more vision loss can occur. Maybe it’s temporary, just a bad day or a stressful week, but hopefully nothing permanent. This, of course, warrants an eye exam. Unfortunately there may be no treatment to correct the problem, or it’s possible the eye doctor will not see what we are seeing, which does not mean it’s not happening or nothing can be done.

It can bring on an overwhelming sense of anxiety, despair and fear. We grieve the lost vision
and begin, once more, to maximize our remaining sight. We make peace with the new normal.
It’s all about adjusting, again. Talking with others who have experienced progressing vision loss
is therapeutic, as is talking with a psychotherapist. Find vision loss resources, such as
adjustment classes near you. Find the compensatory strategies that maintain confidence in
tasks of daily living, for comfort at home, at work, and out in the world.

Here’s more content from OE to help with adjusting.

Happy woman wearing glasses giving thumbs up on
a yellow background.

The Art of Adjusting

Change is notoriously difficult, especially when it is unwelcome. Adjusting the way we do things to compensate for vision loss requires — flexibility. A willingness to change is the gift that keeps giving. Read More

Adjusting Your Home for Vision Loss

You know coping with vision impairments is a topic of the times when it’s covered in the Real Estate section of the New York Times. Be assured, you are far from alone. The likelihood of experiencing some type of visual impairment becomes more prevalent with age and the numbers affected will double over the coming decade. So it’s a good idea to get your house in order. Read More

Hands reaching into organized kitchen drawers.

10 Kitchen Tips for Low Vision Cooks

If you enjoy preparing good food and consuming it, low vision will not bring an end to that. It requires some adjusting, in very much the same way all other daily activities do. If cooking is not your thing, the fact remains, preparing food and eating is a necessity. Read More

Coworkers looking at large screen computer.

Adjusting to vision Loss on the Job

Legal blindness does not have to be a career-ending injury. The need for making adjustments at work may seem like an overwhelming proposition, but plenty succeed while building the skills and continue working to a retirement of their own designation. On the other hand, giving up on a job prematurely is often regrettable. Before you start thinking about leaving a job, think about staying. Read More

Visually impaired person with white cane crossing
city street.

Surprises Contained in the White Cane

Vision loss is an intrusion that we all deal with in our own way. Our ability to thrive is contingent upon a willingness to make large and small adjustments to compensate for diminishing eyesight. Knowing all that did not prevent me from heavily avoiding the white cane. Making peace with this mobility device is often a complicated personal process. Read More

Mature woman working with vision rehab therapist.

Is Vision Rehab the Best Kept Secret?

Patients with progressing vision loss, for which there is no treatment or correction, are frequently told, “Nothing can be done.” The statement is meant, specifically, to say there is no medical intervention available. Too many times the patient interprets the words to mean, “There is nothing anyone or anything can do for you.” But that’s not true. At this point in the dialogue between doctor and patient, would be a good time to consider vision rehab services. But it often goes unmentioned. Read More

March 24, 2023
In the Know About Low Vision

The spectrum of vision runs on a scale from normal sight to low vision to blindness. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Low vision is vision loss that can’t be corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery. Low vision can include blind spots, poor night vision, and blurry sight. The most common causes are age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetes.” They further estimated the prevalence of low vision at “one in six adults over age 45” and “one in four adults over age 75.” The term “low vision” is not well known by the general population and is mostly utilized in clinical settings.

The fact that vision loss is uncorrectable does not mean there is nothing we can do to mitigate the effects. To inspire that effort, and to recognize Low Vision Awareness Month, here is a collection of OE’s best content on the subject. It’s all about Making Adjustments.

Nate Berkus fixing up a blue pillow on a couch in a living room.

Nates Low Vision Makeover

Nate Berkus is looking at home design through the prism of low vision and we are delighted to receive his expert advice. He knows color contrast and he knows lighting. He knows how progressive vision loss can make it difficult to see the details in your own living space. He understands this because his grandmother had macular degeneration. Read Now

Savvy senior woman happily using a smartphone.

Your Smartphone is a Comprehensive Low Vision Device

Living with vision loss, like living in a pandemic, requires us to accept change and embrace technology. Digital access is no longer an option, it is a necessity. Every patient experiencing changes in vision should know there is a multitude of accessibility options, available in their smartphones (and tablets), designed to help compensate for low vision. Read Now

Man wearing Eyedaptic glasses playing scrabble
with granddaughter.

What’s Up With Smart Glasses?

Smart glasses are evolving, but still not quite the ubiquitous, mainstream, vision-enhancing devices we were expecting. Low vision users should evaluate the options carefully, for specific tasks or purposes, and always try before you buy. Read Now

Hands reaching into well organized kitchen drawer.

10 Kitchen Tips For Low Vision Cooks

Whether you feel cooking is a joy or a means to a meal, low vision necessitates some adjusting in the kitchen. Here are some tips to consider as you keep yourself and your loved ones nourished. Read Now

OE Patients Podcast in white text with magenta and
white OE Patients logo.

Episode 4: Must Know Info About Adjusting to Low Vision

Too many patients with low vision believe “nothing can be done” to improve their quality of life. In this episode, Dorrie Rush and Jaydan Mitchell are busting that myth with a review of just the basics everyone needs to know about living better with vision loss. Listen Now

Happy senior couple watching on a mobile smartphone and
laughing together.

Living Better with Low Vision

A recent statement by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) was eye-opening, to say the least. They noted the number of older Americans with low vision will likely double in the coming years, and stated, “the tragedy isn’t that people have lost vision, it’s that most believe nothing can be done to improve their quality of life.” The ill-informed belief that “nothing can be done” is a false narrative that we are working to correct. Read Now.

Colorful clothing organized in a closet.

Low Vision Awareness: Time to Get Organized

Getting organized is key to living successfully with low vision. It may not be as easy to look for things as it once was. A neat and tidy environment will compensate in substantial ways. Think about how nice it is to open a drawer and find exactly what you’re looking for because it is right where you left it. With low vision often it is easier to put our hands on something before our eyes see that it’s there. Read Now

Collections of golden boxes on dark background.

The Hottest Low Vision Gifts

We’ve got the ultimate low vision gift guide. The curated selection you’ll be delighted to give or get, includes a wide range of price points. Some gifts don’t cost a thing, because the gift of empowerment is priceless! Read Now

This collection was previously published Feb 16, 2021 and updated Feb 14, 2023.

February 14, 2023
OE Patients Best of 2022

It’s time to take a look back and call out our most popular posts for the year. Review our all-time favorites and pick up some new perspectives for adjusting with vision loss.

Celebratory golden balloons and confetti.

OE Patients Anniversary Favorites

Celebrate OE Patients 5th Anniversary with this special collection of our top 5 hits in each category: Adjusting, Accessible Tech, Health, and Voices. Our pages are filled with practical tips and encouraging advice that empower patients to live better with vision loss and believe there is much that can be done to improve quality of life, even when medical treatments do not exist.
Read Now

Visually impaired person with white cane crossing
city street

Surprises Contained in the White Cane

Accepting the white cane is a highly personal, and often challenging process. But when you do, you may quickly discover just what you were missing. Read Now

Star speckled Dwarf Galaxy from James Webb
Telescope, courtesy NASA and STScI

Taking Accessibility to the Stars

A team of scientists, writers and educators worked together to add vivid descriptions to the images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope to help people with vision loss decipher the details. Read Now

Image shows woman in driver’s seat, with both hands on
steering wheel.

Re-Visioning

She gave up driving, but continued shifting gears. This is Carol Yaple’s beautifully articulate and inspiring story of adjusting to life with vision loss. Read Now

iPhone showing iOS 16 logo

Everyday iPhone Accessibility Tips & Tricks

There are universal features that significantly improve accessibility for everyone, visually impaired or not. We’ll keep you posted on this page about delightful insights and updates on features like AirDrop, ApplePay, Siri and Dictation. Read Now

Hands reaching into organized kitchen drawers.

10 Kitchen Tips for Low Vision Cooks

If you love to cook or just like to eat, these kitchen tips will come in handy. Like all other adjusting for low visions, we highly recommend organization and preparation. Read Now

Smiling mature woman stretching after workoutsession
in the evening

Accessible Workouts for Visually Impaired People

Do it your way, there are plenty of options. Included in our first installment of Low Vision Workouts, are feel-good exercises, accessible equipment, eyes-free audio guides, and wonderful tips on the topic from our friends at Hadley. Read Now

Edythe Heyman and Dorrie Rush at Lighthouse
Guild in 2015

At 90, Edythe Gets Her iPad

A life-long learner, Edythe was determined to find a way to continue reading her morning newspaper. The solution she chose was an iPad and she learned to use it with Voice Over. Read Now

Business man helping a colleague on a computer

Is Vision Rehab the Best Kept Secret

When ophthalmic patients hear the doctor say, “Nothing can be done,” it means there is no medical treatment or correction. This is an excellent time to discuss vision rehab services, but it often goes unmentioned. Read Now

December 21, 2022
Surprises Contained in the White Cane

Vision loss is an intrusion that we all deal with in our own way. Our ability to thrive is contingent upon a willingness to make large and small adjustments to compensate for diminishing eyesight. Knowing all that did not prevent me from heavily avoiding the white cane. But once I finally ended the resistance, it did not take long to discover what I had been missing. It turns out, I am not at all special in this respect; making peace with this mobility device is often a complicated personal process.

What is it that holds us back? On Girl Gone Blind, Maria Johnson opens her post on the topic with this explanation, “If I use a cane… then the whole world will stare at me. I will look like a BLIND person! I’m only sorta kinda blind. I can see contrast and blurry objects, so I’ll be fine without it. I don’t want to hold a cane. It just stresses me out. White canes and ugly sunglasses are not for me. What if my friends see me with it? They will look and whisper… “OMG. Look at Maria! She must be really blind now… she needs to use one of those things, you know, a white cane!”

I, too, did not want the world to see me as a blind person, because I don’t see myself that way. Blindness is generally understood as total darkness, but that is not accurate for 85% of people who are legally blind, according to the American Foundation for the Blind. It’s a conundrum, of poor public awareness caused by inaccurate terminology, and a correction is long overdue. Vision loss is a spectrum, and that deserves a better understanding.

During the pandemic, my low vision got lower. The change was not subtle, more things disappeared in my broken visual field, objects appeared more pixelated, the haziness got denser. I hoped maybe the change was temporary, but I knew that was unlikely and unrealistic. Two retinal exams provided no explanation for the decrease in sight. I began adjusting, again, and took a few falls in the process. It was time for a cane.

A fair amount of procrastination preceded a call to purchase a cane from Ambutech. The sales representative, Laura, was thoughtful and thorough; there was much more to know about a mobility cane than I expected. She patiently explained the cane types, lengths, tips, and handles. Do I want aluminum, graphite or fiberglass? She informed me that all white canes are reserved for people who are totally blind, and canes with red at the bottom indicate the user has some sight. Who knew? I ordered a long white graphic cane with a marshmallow tip, red bottom with a black handle. And somehow I got it just right.

It was 10 days before the package arrived and another week before I opened the box. On that morning I took it for a walk on the Bronx River Bike Path, or I should say, it took me. For the first half mile, or so, I fought with the cane. Until my partner, Neil, took the cane out of my hand and showed me what I might do to get along better with it. His experience with the mobility cane was purely observational, but in that moment his guidance was immensely helpful. That was the turning point, it all began to click.

Dorrie on the Bronx River Path, walking
with mobility cane, in the midst of fall foliage

I was amazed at how much better I felt walking along the path’s bumps and dips, just knowing what was ahead of me and underfoot. My acquired fear of tripping or falling largely abated as the sweeping arc of my cane proceeded. Bikes slowed down when they saw the cane, and everyone called out a greeting. The cane informed me when there was a curb, a curb cut, or a rocky stretch of pavement. On the way back through city streets, I discovered how it solved my problems walking up, and especially down, steps. It still feels gleeful to gracefully navigate a flight of stairs. I felt good again, walking everywhere with the cane; it gave me a renewed sense of security and restored my confidence.

From that day, to my great surprise, the cane sits at my front door and goes out whenever I do. Traveling in and out of New York City with the cane is comfortable again and also filled with surprises. Perhaps the most unexpected was how sweet I found the kindness of strangers. As I exited Grand Central Terminal and walked up Lexington Avenue, I discovered a lovely and quiet benevolence on the bustling streets, thanks to the white cane.

Dorrie Rush discusses The Not-So-Straight Line to the White Cane with Hadley Presents host Ricky Enger…Listen Here.

November 30, 2022
It Takes Two to Tandem

A bicycle built for two is a study in coordination. The rider in the front seat is called the Captain, for obvious reasons. The person in the second seat is called the Stoker, which means their role is to add fuel to the pedal. A tandem bike in tip-top condition will not ride well if the captain and the stoker are out of sync. What you learn on a tandem is meaningful to all relationships.

I can vividly recall the sheer joy upon finding my balance on a “two-wheeler” at the age of four. The beautiful freedom of my independent bike riding would come to an early end, before I reached the age of 40, sidelined by progressing vision loss. It took some time, but there would be an opportunity for me to ride again, in a new way. My partner Neil, an experienced and life-long rider himself, was delighted to buy a tandem bicycle and get me back on the road. The thoughtful and loving gift would transport us over hundreds of miles on city paths, country roads and several 5-Boro Bike Tours through the city of New York. It would also require us both to learn a few things.

Tandem riders, Neil and Dorrie, at a 5-Boro Bike Tour

There’s No “I” in Tandem

According to Tandem Cycling Works riding a tandem “is just like dancing, someone has to lead.” The Captain begins communicating, at the outset, to achieve a graceful start. There are four command words conveyed by the captain to keep the stoker informed of a needed action — On, Off, Bump and Shift. “On” means it’s time to pedal. “Off” means stop pedaling. “Bump” means brace yourself for the bump you can’t see coming. “Shift” means be prepared for a shift in gears. The timing of both the captain’s command and the stoker’s response is crucial to a smooth ride.

The rider in the second seat must relinquish control to the front, which is sometimes easier said than done. Some back seat riders are also back seat drivers, which only creates conflict. We have to let go, trust the leader, and pedal with purpose.

With some practice, each rider doing their part, it all comes together. It is like dancing, and now we’ve got the rhythm; we’re doing the samba. Every successful relationship benefits from these same principles… good communication builds trust and unity.

Tandem Cycle Works offers a step-by step guide for new riders. They also offer this bit of excellent advice to keep peace should the road get rocky. “On behalf of stokers everywhere, we would just like to remind you, dear captains, of one small thing. If you remember these 5 words, you will always have perfect harmony on your tandem adventures: The STOKER is Always Right!”

October 28, 2022
Adjusting with Vision Loss on the Job

Legal blindness needs not be a career-ending injury. The need for making adjustments at work may seem like an overwhelming proposition, but plenty succeed while building the skills to continue working to a retirement of their own designation. On the other hand, giving up on a job prematurely is often regrettable. Before you start thinking about leaving a job, think about staying. No one can communicate your specific needs better than you can. Advocating for yourself and finding solutions is the foundation on which you will succeed. Smaller incremental changes are more sustainable than big sweeping changes, so get started early and don’t delay in adapting.

Change Your Mindset

Focus on abilities, not disability. You are an asset, not a liability. You have demonstrated the experience and qualifications to perform the job well and will continue to do that successfully by keeping an open mind to making adjustments at work. Don’t hide your efforts, be open to inspire and educate your colleagues.

A visually impaired business manager is presenting
meeting agenda from accessible mobile device

Make a Friend in IT

Making your computer at work easier to use is all about accessibility settings and that will require a good IT specialist. The right computer adjustments can go a long way in compensating your visual impairment. There may be a member of the IT team well versed in the needed adjustments, or you can work with them to consult a specialist at Microsoft Disability Answer Desk at: 800-936-5900

Talk to Your Supervisor or HR

An open dialog is always best; attempts to hide changes in vision usually work against you. It is in the employer’s best interest that you get the support you need to succeed. Be prepared to talk about the specific ways your employer can help to accommodate your needs.

Get a Low Vision Evaluation

Consult with a low vision specialist about your changing needs at work and where you need help. They can suggest and demonstrate optical and electronic magnification devices and special lighting.

Consult a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Contact your State Rehab Agency for the Blind or Visually Impaired to learn more about services that can help with technology training and safe travel.

Listen to Hadley Presents Podcast

Keeping Your Job After Vision Loss

Listen to this conversation with the experts to learn about Hadley’s Working with Vision Loss workshops and great advice for finding resources and how to ask for what you need.

More Accessibility Support Phone Lines

October 19, 2022
Search for Audiobooks by Narrator
Audiobooks are loved by people with reading difficulties and people who like to multitask. They are inclusive and accessible, which means if you’re visually impaired, or not, these books can be enjoyed on the commute to work, on a walk or run, in the gym, when you’re cooking dinner or cleaning up at home. In the same way traditional or electronic books can leave the reader uninspired, audiobooks sometimes hit a snag that becomes insurmountable for the listener, and that is often related to the narrator’s presentation.

The narrator’s voice can make or break the audio experience, which is largely subjective. Perhaps it is the intonation, pitch, or inflection that does not hit the listening ear well. Having a book read by the author is one of my preferences; others enjoy the more theatrical readings. Whatever the cause, when an audiobook, or even just one character, sounds bad, it may be difficult to get through.

Twenty years ago I successfully moved from reading books with my eyes to reading with my ears, a process that took some work. Around that time I was hearing about the massive international bestselling novel by author Dan Brown, The DaVinci Code. The male narrator provided his rendition of the french-accented female protagonist. Every time she spoke, I wanted to cover my ears. I did not give up, but it took a good long time to finish this book. To be fair, the audiobook was successful and the narrator received favorable reviews, and there is no evidence to say many others had the same reaction as me. My difficulty tolerating a narration has been repeated only a few times over many years, and that is probably typical. Overall, the audiobook reading experience is more good than bad.

Colorful illustration of audiobooks on smartphone showing
play button, stacked books and headphones

Recently I received a message from a friend, new to audiobooks. He was coming off an audio experience he did not enjoy and asked, “Do you know if there is a way to search audiobooks by narrator? I really miss the guy who narrated The Lincoln Highway.” A very good question and one I did not have an immediate answer for. It made sense, though, if you appreciate a narrator, why not follow their work? My search for the answer began on Google, where I used search terms like, “best audiobook narrators” or “audiobooks narrated by (name).” The search results confirmed that the narrators were in a league of their own. There were numerous articles ranking and rating narrators; here are links to just a few.
- 20 Famous Audiobook Narrators You Can Listen to All Day
- 16 of the Best Audiobook Narrators (and Their Greatest Work!)
- 8 Best Audiobook Narrators of 2022
To be sure, I was providing a thorough and accurate response to the question, “how do I search audiobooks by narrator,” I consulted my go-to audiobook expert, Michelle Ritholz, who had also generously shared her expertise with us in a previous episode of the OE Patients Podcast. Michelle wrote, “I have two suggestions for searching for audiobooks by narrator.” Here they are:

1. AudioFile Magazine currently has more than 55,000 audiobook reviews. You are able to search by several criteria, including narrator. Each of these books is (or has been) available commercially. Here is the link to the search form on the AudioFile Magazine site:

Reviews | AudioFile Magazine

2. You can search on both Audible and Libro.fm audiobook sites by narrator. All you need to do is locate the search box and type in the name of the narrator. For example, if you go to the Libro.fm site and type in Julia Whelan, you will get 361 results. Here is the link to the Libro.fm site with the search box:

Libro.fm | Search audiobooks

Listening to an audiobook is meant to be easy, convenient and enjoyable. The success and growth of the audiobook segment proves it is very good overall. Should you hit a snag in the narration, don’t give up, get another book, and try again!
September 29, 2022
10 Kitchen Tips for Cooking with Low Vision

If you enjoy preparing good food and consuming it, low vision will not bring an end to that. It requires some adjusting, in very much the same way all other daily activities do. If cooking is not your thing, the fact remains, preparing food and eating it is a necessity. Continued comfort in the kitchen can, and should, be addressed in stages, as the need arises. It’s always good to consider helpful tips along the way.

1. Organize.

Keep everything in its place. It’s wonderful to reach into a drawer or a shelf and find exactly what you’re looking for. Place frequently used items toward the front of each shelf and on easiest to reach shelves. Arrange shelves with similar items. Ask everyone in the house to help out by returning items to their appropriate spot.

2. Prep.

Get the needed cookware, utensils, bowls, dishes, and cutting boards out of their designated places. Having all ingredients prepped before cooking is the key to every chef’s success. Wash, peel, slice or chop fresh produce; measure out and set aside the wet and dry ingredients.

Woman wearing apron in prepped kitchen.

3. Setting Temperature.

Getting the right temperature set on your stovetop or oven can be tricky. Use adhesive bump dots to indicate where the most frequently used settings are. When in doubt, get a quick check on the temperature setting with a video call to a volunteer on the BeMyEyes app.

4. Cooking Meat.

When it comes to meat, best follow cooking directions to avoid undercooking. Experienced cooks can tell by the firmness of the meat when pressed with the index finger. To be safe, get a talking meat thermometer.

5. Use Color Contrast.

For low vision cooks, similar colors can blend together and disappear. Using multi-colored measuring spoons and cooking utensils with brightly colored handles will make them easier to identify. See the food you’re prepping better with dark foods on light colored cutting boards and light food colors on darker boards. Contrasted placemats, napkins and dishes also improve visual clarity.

Multi-colored measuring spoons on black background.

6. Wear Safety Glasses.

Wear safety glasses so you don’t jeopardize your remaining eyesight with hot grease splatters or other possible injuries. Always better to be safe, than sorry.

7. Google & Alexa.

Voice assistants are the most valuable players in the kitchen. Get cooking directions for anything, including frozen or packaged foods. Set multiple timers. Ask for nutrition info, ingredient substitutions, and convert measurements. Keep a grocery list. Browse recipes and have them read as you cook. Siri can be used in the kitchen, but not quite as easy to work with as Google and Alexa.

8. Grocery List.

Dictate your grocery list to Google, Alexa, or Siri, as items come to mind. Refer to the list from your smartphone, when shopping in a store or placing orders online.

9. Recipes Read Out Loud.

The Google Assistant, on a smart speaker, will help you find a recipe and read it to you as you cook. Ask for a recipe and Google will suggest from the most popular options and tell you the cook time and number of servings, then ask if you want to start with ingredients or instructions. This method works best for recipes that don’t take a lot of time and don’t require a lot of ingredients.

10. Pestle App Makes Recipes Easier To Read.

This app is a natural for low vision cooks because it takes internet recipes and edits out all the chatter to deliver a clean and clear recipe starting with ingredients, then instructions. More about how to use Pestle here.

August 26, 2022
Q&A Update

At OE Patients, we are always fielding questions related to vision loss. While we do our very best to answer each individual one, we realize the questions received, and answers provided, are likely to be beneficial to many of our readers. Here is a curated selection.

ADJUSTING

Image shows house icon.

Q: How can we help my, independent 87-year-old, mom with low vision proof her home for safety without sacrificing aesthetics?

A: This is a very good question and one we’re delighted to have excellent answers for.

Adjusting Your Home for Vision Loss

Nate’s Low Vision Makeover

Low Vision Awareness: Time to Get Organized

Q: I was informed, at my last eye exam, that I am now legally blind from macular degeneration. The doctor told me to stop driving (which I did long ago) and gave no other advice. What do you suggest I do now?

A: Speak with your physician again and ask for referral to a low vision specialist and vision rehabilitation services. Be aware there is much you can do, on your own, to live better with vision loss. Read: OE Agrees with AAO Advice, and listen to the OE Patients Podcast, Episode 4: Must Know Info for Adjusting to Low Vision.

HEALTH

Image shows woman smelling flowers.

Q: I have recently been diagnosed with early dry macular degeneration. Both my ophthalmologist and the retina specialist I consulted pulled some AREDS 2 vitamins out of a drawer and said “take these.” I have been researching and finding out that these vitamins are recommended for intermediate MD to prevent it from advancing. But what is a patient who has early supposed to do? No one seems to be able to give me a definitive answer. Please let me know where I can read about the effects of the vitamins for patients with early macular degeneration. Thank you.

A: Although these supplements are often suggested to early stage AMD patients, the studies show no proof of effect in the early phase of AMD. Based on that result the National Eye Institute expressly recommends AREDS vitamins for patients with moderate to advanced disease.

Here is a link to the published AREDS study information from NEI:

https://www.nei.nih.gov/research/clinical-trials/age-related-eye-disease-studies-aredsareds2/about-areds-and-areds2

Q: Following a cataract operation on my second eye, for two weeks I’ve been unable to read without my glasses, but vision is improving. How can I protect my eyes and keep them healthy?

A: Thanks for getting in touch. To protect your eyes, here are 5 Sight-Saving Habits To Start Today.

Q: I am a 51-year-old female diagnosed with early stage dry macular degeneration. I am concerned about visual deterioration over time as it is incurable and progressive. I am afraid and in search of something I can do to help minimize the loss of sight.

A: A diagnosis involving progressive vision loss is frightening, but we know people with dry macular degeneration generally can do well and adjust to the very slow progression over time. The result is impaired central vision, not blindness, and you can do your best to slow that progression by protecting your eyes from the sun and eating a healthy diet rich in whole foods, leafy greens, citrus and omega 3. Making small changes along the way will keep you doing all you need to do and love to do. Technology today accommodates every level of visual impairment. More detail about living with macular degeneration in these articles on OE.

And on the OE Patients Podcast.

ACCESSIBLE TECH

Image shows i-phone.

Q: A low vision specialist showed my dad the OrCam ($4,500.), a wearable device for reading text, identifying faces, colors and products. Dad is hesitant to buy another piece of high priced low vision technology that probably won’t meet his expectations. What is your advice? Are there any lower cost alternatives?

A: Low vision devices are highly specific to the individual and must be tried in the context of daily life. Ask if there is a trial period, loaner program and reasonable return policy. To be of value, these devices must enhance life every day, not just occasionally. If it does not meet expectations, return it for a refund.

The functionality of OrCam is also available in free smartphone apps. Seeing Ai for iPhone was developed by Microsoft and Google’s Lookout for Android. Both are popular accessibility apps for smartphone users with vision loss.

Q: I recently switched to an iPhone for the low vision accessibility and I’m very happy I did. I’m getting accustomed to it, but find I tend to quickly forget the steps involved in using features new to me. How can I do this with more success?

A: It is very easy to forget steps you’ve taken just once or twice. Committing a process to memory, or memorizing the steps, takes repetition, 10 or 20 times. That is why the things we do every day become embedded in our muscle memory. When you don’t know, or have forgotten, no worries, just phone and get help from Apple’s Accessibility Support at 877-204-3930, they’re available 24/7. Here are more tips for Learning at Any Age with Vision Loss.

Q: I need a new iPhone but am not feeling good about an upgrade to a model with no home button.

A: Many people had this concern, but it turned out to be a relatively easy transition. Just a few new screen swipes that will become natural in the first few hours. Adjusting to iPhone X & 11

Q: Can you offer any tips to increase accuracy in Speech to Text or Dictation, as I often find that the text that is transcribed is very different from what I said.

A: Enunciate clearly. Speak punctuation, symbols, new lines, etc. Always best with minimal ambient noise. Dictate one sentence at a time for easier correction of error. Practice definitely improves ability. More on OE: Are You A Dictator?

Q: Hello, I want to find a mobile phone with the most up-to-date technology for vision loss. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, are there any seminars to help those with vision loss to use smartphones? Thanks!

A: The iPhone has the best accessibility features for vision and is by far the most popular mobile phone used by people with vision loss. Linked below are some of our articles on the subject. There are regular workshops at Apple Stores and other options depending on where you are. Check local libraries, senior centers and vision rehab agencies. Also HadleyHelps.org has a wonderful series of video tutorials for iPhone, some are linked to the articles we’ve published.

iPhone Accessibility Articles on OE

More questions? Don’t hesitate to ask. Email us at [email protected].

June 9, 2022
Is Vision Rehab the Best Kept Secret?
Patients with progressing vision loss, for which there is no treatment or correction, are frequently told, “Nothing can be done.” The statement is meant, specifically, to say there is no medical intervention available. Too many times the patient interprets the words to mean, “There is nothing anyone or anything can do for you.” But that’s not true. At this point in the dialogue between doctor and patient, would be a good time to consider vision rehab services. But it often goes unmentioned.

The process equivalent to physical and occupational therapy, for loss of sight, is vision rehab. It is the “best kept secret, “according to Stephen Kelley, Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, quoted in the Web MD article titled, “Vision Rehab Helps People With Low Vision Navigate the World.” Kelley says, not only patients, but many medical professionals do not know the service exists. Perhaps because it does not qualify as medical and is not covered by health insurance, instead it’s considered a social service, usually funded by state agencies. Another issue, Kelley explains, is that vision rehab services are provided at agencies for the blind, which is intimidating because people who are visually impaired do not see themselves as blind. Getting past the obstacles and getting services, as soon as possible, is the priority, and Kelley knows, that to be true, because twenty years ago, he started having vision problems and lost his job in web design, while he was trying to figure out how to keep it.

The Web MD article also illustrates how a cardiologist, Joseph Fontenot, MD, developed untreatable macular problems at age 50. As his vision quickly declined, he learned about vision rehab from another patient with a similar condition. Rehab services enabled him to continue working. In the process, he too shared his experience with other low vision patients, and he began to understand how little patients knew about the kind of assistance that is available to them. At age 65, Dr. Fontenot became a certified vision rehab therapist, opened a practice, and went on to serve as chair of the Vision Rehabilitation Committee for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).

Watch the video below, conceived and created by Dr. Joseph Fontenot for the American academy of Ophthalmologists, to send the message loud and clear, “There is something you can do.”

Video: There is Something Else You Can Do

A full-service program will include a comprehensive evaluation with a low vision specialist. It’s about a thorough review of the patient’s vision and an understanding of their needs and goals. What do they have to do, want to do, love to do? The objective is to improve the individual’s ability to function at home, at work and out in the world. Improving the quality of life, elevates everything.

Finding a vision rehab program
- Ask your eye doctor to recommend a program
- Look for a program affiliated with a university or medical school
- Find a nonprofit organization that serves the needs of visually impaired persons with a full range of rehab services
- Veterans should contact the VA
May 26, 2022
The Inclusive Touch Card is Here, But Where?

Vision loss and credit cards don’t mix well. It’s hard to tell one card from the other, especially now as card designs have moved to flattened surfaces. Not that card’s with embossed numbers and names were all that accessible either. And although the focus here is just on card design, the accessibility of machines used to process payments is another issue in need of solutions. It is a pleasure to report a meaningful advance on the part of Mastercard in these efforts, and we hope they will hold the baton and run with it all the way to complete inclusion.

It was a while ago, in pre-pandemic times, that we heard there was an accessible credit card in the works. The very idea made us smile, its time had finally come. Who was creating this card and what would it be like? The details of the project did not leak, it was very top secret, so we waited for the news to break.

The first glimpse came late last year when Mastercard unveiled Touch Card, a new accessible design standard implementing a system of notches cut into the side of the card. A square notch identifies the credit card, a semicircle notch on debit cards and a triangular notch is for prepaid cards. The positioning of these cut-outs gives the customers the ability to use the right card the right way, by touch. Mastercard hopes the new inclusive designs will help the world’s 2.2 billion visually impaired people more easily identify and manage their cards.

In March, Mastercard began marketing Touch Card with a TV ad, embedded below. It seemed to signal the Touch Card was now available to consumers. But this commercial was actually meant to get people, and card issuers (which are banks), excited about the opportunity to obtain this new product.

Video advertisement for Mastercard’s accessible Touch Care for visually impaired and blind
consumers.

Naturally, we wanted to get our hands on the notched cards and try them out as soon as possible, but that was easier said than done. When we could not find the Touch Card online or at a bank, we reached out to Jill Davison in Global Communications at Mastercard. She said, “Thank you for your interest in the Mastercard Touch Card. We are currently working with several Mastercard issuers around the world to bring Touch Card to market. It is our hope that this becomes a global standard universally applied to all cards and not just a feature added upon request. Once we launch with Mastercard partners, the standard will be made available to all banks and networks, and it will be their choice whether to adopt this new card standard.” She also suggested, interested consumers contact their banks and request Touch Card in advance of its issuance.

The bottom line is, Touch Card is coming soon, stay tuned.

April 22, 2022
Universally Accessible Eye Clinic
Having low vision will help you see things others will miss. Perhaps most noticeable is the lack of attention paid to the visual accessibility in ophthalmic offices, eye clinics and hospitals. There’s a lot of white on white, no texture or color. Elevators are dark and buttons are not tactile. Signage is illegible and ill placed. The first issue is often just locating the reception desk.

It does not have to be this way. The design process is mistakenly targeted to 20/40 vision, slightly below “normal.” However, that is not going to be helpful for patients, with uncorrectable vision loss, who are visiting eye clinics or specialist’s office. The fact is, creating spaces and products friendly to people with low vision, actually makes them better for everyone!

At Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland, the Casey Eye Institute’s director, Dr. David Wilson, was determined to avoid visual stumbling blocks in the design of their new building for the Elks Children’s Eye Clinic, where patients of all ages are seen.

We would suggest following some of the sensible guidance from the OHSU design project. The designers developed filters to help them see the space through the eyes of patients with conditions that included cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. To learn how your space stacks up, why not invite a focus group of patients to stroll through the facility and call out the good, the bad and the ugly.

Waiting area at Elks Eye Clinic, Waiting area at Elks Eye Clinic
(Image credit John Valls/OHSU)

Implement Elements of Universal Design
- improve legibility and contrast of signage with clean, large sans serif font styles (never script or cursive)
- place signs near to eye level
- large reception desks, at the entrance, designed with highly contrasting colors to be most visible
- furniture is placed strategically to eliminate obstacles causing slips or trips
- handrails that lead to elevators for easier access to other floors
- flooring is seamless and free of carpet to prevent the possibility of slipping or tripping
- contrasting colors and textures on floors help to differentiate walkways and reception areas
- glare from surfaces eliminated by using matte and textured finishes
- hallway colors are contrasted with brightly painted doors to identify exam rooms
Perhaps that trend is about to change. The application of vision focused design principles make interiors friendlier for all.
March 31, 2022