This year, we created a roundup of our most popular articles on OE Patients. Our best-of list for 2018 covers technology, health, and tips for making adjustments — from the secret to mastering iPhone’s VoiceOver to accessibility at arts museums.
We hope you’ll be inspired to develop a new skill or create a good habit for the fresh new year!
Apple’s iPhone
10 Things To Know About iPhone Accessibility For Vision
The iPhone is quite possibly the most adopted device, ever, for people with vision loss. This is because it is accessible out-of-the-box, even if you can’t see the screen at all.
Apple’s built-in screen reader was a game-changer for those living with vision loss. Our accessibility expert, Dorrie Rush, writes about the secret to mastering iPhone’s VoiceOver gestures — practice, practice, practice.
We love Microsoft’s Seeing AI, a free, intelligent camera app that translates images into words for people with visual impairments and blindness. Here are four features we especially like.
Microsoft Soundscape 2018, A Review of What It Can Do
Our accessibility expert Dorrie Rush appreciates the enhanced narration and awareness provided by Microsoft Soundscape, a navigation tool for people with vision loss.
In October, OE Patients held an accessibility event on wearable devices for audiences with vision loss. We took a closer look into head mounted products including: OrCam, IrisVision, Jordy and more.
Every eye condition is different. Read our article by ophthalmologist Dr. Yale Fisher, to understand how vision loss caused by macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma rarely results in blindness.
Cataract is the leading cause of reversible blindness and vision loss in the world. Read more by Dr. Amilia Schrier, Director of Education at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital.
On October 18, 2018, OE Patients held an accessibility event featuring smart wearables for people with vision loss, hosted jointly with Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital in New York City.
Representatives for major assistive technology brands spoke about and demonstrated their electronic glasses, such as OrCam, IrisVision, Jordy by EnhancedVision, and Acesight by Zoomax.
eSight and the service Aira were also described by Dorrie Rush, the moderator of the event, and the Chief Content Officer at OEPatients.org.
After product introductions, the speakers engaged in a lively Q&A with the attendees, the majority of whom were living with vision loss due to a range of eye conditions, including age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Pricing, features, and different uses for the electronic glasses were explored.
In the second half of the event, the attendees toured the room, to try the different wearables for themselves.
The Progress of Assistive Technology
The featured products at the event were smart wearables that helped with maximizing one’s remaining vision, to different degrees. Ideal uses ranged, depending on the product.
For example, certain electronic glasses such as IrisVision or Jordy, were more appropriate for specific, stationary activities such as watching TV or reading. Other options like the Acesight offered a wider range of mobility, with additional features like adjustable contrast or colors.
The OrCam My Reader and My Eye products, however, rather than enhancing one’s vision, used smart cameras to convey visual information from the world to the user. (For an overview of all the featured electronic glasses, read our event recap.)
If there was one thing everyone in the room agreed upon, however, it was that across the board, assistive and accessible technologies have flourished over the past decade.
Vishnu Hoff, an education coordinator at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital, has worked in ophthalmology for over 20 years and witnessed firsthand the evolution of technology for people with visual impairments.
“Seeing technology finally being to offer some relief from the difficulties of vision loss is fantastic,” he said. “Ten years ago, I could probably rattle off 4 or 5 technologies available and now, there’s that many coming out a month.”
Finding the Right Solution
OE Patients believes that every person with visual impairments lives a personal, very individual visual experience due to the unique progression of his or her eye condition.
Throughout the event, speakers and attendees alike echoed this sentiment, observing that it was vitally important to experiment with different solutions to see what worked.
Darius Pietrocola, an assistive technology trainer, liked that the demonstrations at the event helped attendees experience the wearables for themselves. He noted, “One size doesn’t fit all. You really, really have to see what works.”
The Importance of Persistence
When it comes to successfully finding the right solution, an attitude of persistence and perseverance is key — another tenet of the OE Patients philosophy.
Steven Hansen, from Eye Assist, described the Jordy users he personally knew. They ranged widely from little third-graders to even a 101-year old gentleman in the Bronx.
He pointed out the one thing he felt helped with one’s adoption of assistive or accessible technology across all ages — mindset. “You have to be optimistic,” Steven said. “You have to be good with technology. Anyone can pick up on it. It’s a learning curve, but you eventually can do it.”
The motivated energy in the room seemed to prove this point.
Judith Eisner, an attendee living with retinitis pigmentosa, expressed her eagerness for any chance to learn new technologies. Her newest project was mastering VoiceOver. She was also a big fan of Microsoft’s Seeing AI app. At the event, she was curious about electronic glasses as a potential solution.
“Necessity is the mother of invention,” Judith said. “When you need it, you try to do it.” She paused and then continued, as her friend next to her nodded, “Part of me would like to stay in my apartment all day long and keep listening to my books, but that’s not a healthy way to live. I have to keep making adjustments.”
Opening Up Direct Dialogue for Audiences
The uniqueness of the event’s format and environment was not lost on the representatives of the assistive technology brands.
David Bradburn, the CEO of Zoomax who debuted his company’s new electronic glasses, Acesight, earlier this year, spoke about the valuable opportunity to develop a dialogue with a motivated audiences.
“I wish every eye hospital would do the same thing,” he said. “Usually, we’re in a conference or at an exhibition, and people come to our booth and ask us questions in isolation, and they might forget what they’ve seen or heard.”
Innovative education for audiences living with vision loss was exactly what Joan Daly, board member of OE Patients and member of the Association for Macular Diseases, had in mind.
A year ago, Joan and Dorrie helped to launch the joint accessibility resources series with Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. “What we really wanted to do was to reach out to people and create awareness,” Joan said. “There are specific things that people need assistance with and all of this technology to use the vision they’ve got.”
So far, OE Patients’ Accessibility Resources series has spotlighted the most popular topics from the website, including accessibility tips for key Apple products, like the iPhone, iPad and the Kindle, smart speakers, audio description, and more.
About the Accessibility Resources Series
The “Accessibility Resources for People with Visual Impairments” series explores the latest tips, advice and news for living well with vision loss.
Dorrie Rush, Chief Content Officer at OEPatients.org, is the moderator and a key speaker for the series, which is hosted at Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat Hospital, and presented by the Association for Macular Diseases.
Every brain changes over time, but smart routines and practices can keep our minds young, sharp and healthy, even in our later years.
We are all empowered with brain plasticity, or neuroplasticity. This wonderful, innate ability gives us the potential to change at any time in our lives. While aging may weaken certain neural connections, the persistent practice of good habits can enhance and even build new pathways.
Here are 6 ways to strengthen your mind.
A smiling woman running in a park.
1. Exercise daily.
If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a million times — exercise is good for you. It’s impossible to exaggerate the positive benefits of a habit that helps young and old alike. Research shows that staying active promotes healthful aging, and helps both brain and body.
Physical activity helps blood flow to your brain and forges new connections between its many cells. Even bursts of exercise as brief as 10 minutes can temporarily enhance energy levels, focus, problem-solving, and memory.
Sharpen your reasoning and thinking skills and boost your overall well-being while you’re at it. Start with a commitment to mild or moderate physical activity for 25 to 30 minutes each day, such as walking or yoga. Pair with your favorite music or audiobook to help you enjoy the time.
Healthy fruits and vegetables in paper grocery bag.
2. Eat well.
Nutrition begins at the table. Make sure you sit down to foods that nourish your mind, as well as body. For a delicious and brain-boosting diet, look no further than the Mediterranean-style plate, rich in fruits, fish, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans and olive oil.
Enjoying a Mediterranean-style diet has been shown to decrease the likelihood of cognitive decline, reduce the risk of some neurodegenerative illnesses and to overall enhance brain function.
Stay away from or moderate your intake of high-calorie, highly-processed foods. Such foods can frustrate your cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, and the balance of nutrients that helps your brain operate at its best.
Make conscious, small changes where possible, by switching to or substituting ingredients with healthful options. Find unique recipes that help you look forward to your meal. While eating, savor your bites.
Closeup of artist with palette and brush painting colorful still life.
3. Keep learning.
The practice of new skills stimulates your mind and keeps it strong. Whenever you try a novel, complex activity, your brain kindles connections between its cells. Continual learning and practice can even produce new cells, which shores against future cell loss.
Start by experimenting with a hobby or activity that ignites your interest.
Learn a new language. Speaking two or more languages has been proven to promote mental elasticity and one’s ability to understand information. Try studying a new musical instrument through a private or group music class. Playing an instrument can have a protective effect on your brain, as well as improve your memory, listening, hearing and motor skills.
You can pick up a book, try a crossword puzzle or Sudoku, or even try your hand at drawing, painting or photography.
If an activity seems difficult at first, stick with it. Don’t throw in the towel just yet. The more challenging it is for you to master, the more rewarding the brain-boost. Once you’ve practiced a skill enough times, you’ll find that it becomes easy, even rote.
White lotus flower floating peacefully on a pond.
4. Practice mindfulness.
The fast pace of our modern world, along with our ever-plugged-in connectivity, means that we are in a constant state of processing. Taking intentional pauses here and again, gives our minds the much-needed time and space for rest.
In fact, meditation over a long period of a time can help the brain to age slower, by increasing overall grey matter volume.
In a Harvard study, eight weeks of meditation resulted in changes to key areas of the brain; specifically, an increase in the thickness of the hippocampus, an area of the brain that controls learning and memory.
You can reap the benefits of mindful breaks too. Ease into the practice incrementally. Start by finding a quiet, calm place, free of distractions. Carve out five minutes to sit and bring your focus to your breath. Be patient with yourself if your mind wanders.
Extend the time only when you are ready — even meditating for a few minutes each day may make a difference.
Bed with comfortable linen, pillows, and desk plant on a side table.
5. Sleep soundly.
Don’t give into the myth that you need much less sleep as you age. A good night’s rest of around six to eight hours each night keeps your mind fresh and alert.
Science shows that sleep regenerates neurons that allow your brain to function at its best. Sleep also clears your brain of bad toxins that can stack up over time.
Getting consistently good rest leads to a number of positive effects. It boosts your power of recall, helps you make better decisions, improves your focus, and expands your learning capacity. Even 60-90 minutes of additional sleep per night can have an impact.
Set the way for success. Power down your devices — TVs, computers, and other blue-light sources — an hour before you head to bed. Opt for light evening snacks rather than heavy meals that may weigh down your digestive system. If you find yourself distracted by noises at night, a white noise app or machine can be helpful.
Lastly, if you have a lot on your mind, try reading, listening to calming music, taking a bath, or journaling. A relaxing activity can help you close down the day and ease into sleep.
Grandfather happily greeting granddaughter at family gathering.
6. Stay connected.
Research shows that social relationships are important to keeping brains young. Strong connectivity to others boosts our overall health, and is even associated with lower risk of dementia, as well as longer life expectancy.
Time spent with close family, friends, and our community helps us to enjoy life, feel appreciated and find purpose. Friendship allows us to share experiences, overcome challenges, and pursue learning and activities outside of our comfort zone.
Getting to know new people also supercharges your brain, as much as a puzzle or crossword, since socializing requires a combination of skills, including focus, short-term memory, and attention.
Strengthen your circle. Take time to reach out to those closest to you. Pick up the phone, write an email, plan a coffee or dinner date, tell your loved ones how much they mean to you. Attend the event where you’ll meet new people and widen your network. You never know which new acquaintance will turn into a lifelong friend and open up your perspective.
Keep your mind young and the spring in your step, anywhere and anytime in life, through persistent engagement and a positive outlook. Remember: every little change or resolution counts, and there is never a better day to start than today.
