OE Patients

Tag: low vision

  • Living Better With Low Vision

    Living Better With Low Vision

    It’s the beginning of 2020, a symbolic year and we hope it brings great things!  Let’s start out the year with an important reminder about the many ways you can promote better living with vision loss, for yourself, a family member or a friend.  It definitely takes some effort to adjust and continue living life productively, but it’s well worth the work, and it totally beats the alternative. 

    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.

    The basic fact is, when you know better, you do better.  OE Patients is dedicated to elevating awareness and empowering patients to live their best life. Improve your low vision IQ, or help a loved one do the same. 

    Here’s our list of basic tips to inspire change.

    Adjusting

    Small changes have big impacts on daily living.  Your willingness to adjust, as necessary, little by little, delivers compounded dividends.  Forget about the inconvenience of doing something different than the way you did it before, it’s way better than giving up something you love altogether.  Making adjustments is primary, and all you need is some practice!

    Reading

    Reading options are a great way to begin your practice of adjusting.

    • Magnifiers can be a great benefit for reading and other tasks and are available in wide ranges of power and price. More
    • Switch to audiobooks with a free membership to National Library Service. More
    • Adjust the text and contrast on smartphones, tablets and computers.

    Voice Assistants

    Get to know Alexa, Google and Siri, the voice assistants whose popularity is growing at record speed.  They can do simple or complicated tasks, the choices are yours.

    • Get the time, weather, news and music.
    • Play a game, check a score or a stock price.
    • Turn on lights, lock doors, and set thermostats.
    • Listen to OE Patients Podcast: Siri, Google & Alexa
    Happy senior woman with smartphone sitting on bench at park.

    Smartphones

    Apple and Android phones go the distance with accessibility settings that cover the spectrum of vision loss.  And then there are endless apps that do even more.

    • Get help with iPhone, call Apple Accessibility: 877-204-3930
    • Get help with Android through Be My Eyes.

    Accessible Technology

    Accessibility support is available to help you set visual preferences on smartphones, tablets and computers.  So stop struggling with technology and make some adjustments.

    Utilize Contrast at Home

    Low Vision Rehab Services

    Ask your ophthalmologist for information and referral for a Low Vision Evaluation and Vision Rehabilitation Services.

    There’s lots more information on the pages of OEPatients.org.  Here’s to a happy, healthy and productive year!

     

  • OE Agrees With AAO Advice

    OE Agrees With AAO Advice

    With a nod to Healthy Aging Month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) published a series of tips for living better with low vision.  They point out that the number of older Americans with low vision will likely double by 2050.  The leading causes of low vision, a visual impairment that cannot be corrected by lenses or medical treatment, are age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma and inherited retinal diseases.  To add insult to injury, most people with declining vision believe that nothing can be done to help them.

    We are pleased to stand in agreement with AAO’s recommendations for maintaining a productive and independent life in the face of vision loss.  Subscribers to OEPatients.org are ahead of the curve and already aware and implementing the small changes that keep them actively engaged.  Let’s walk together through an overview of how their tips concur with our content.

     

    • Improve Contrast

    Utilize contrasting colors throughout the home to improve clarity in table settings, kitchen tools and surfaces, furnishings, door frames and steps. 

    OE:  Nate’s Low Vision Makeover

    OE:  Adjusting Your Home For Vision Loss

     

    • Prevent Falls, Improve Lighting

    Add lighting to hallways and staircases, task lighting in the kitchen and work places.

    OE:  Don’t Take The Fall, Prevent It

    OE:  Home Safety & Light Checkup

     

    • Reduce Clutter & Organize

    Essential to safety and sanity, keep things in their appropriate places and don’t be a collector.

    OE:  Low Vision Awareness: Time To Get Organized

    OE:  Spring Cleaning Gives More Than It Takes

     

    Headphone on a side stack of books.
    Headphone on a side stack of books.
    • Embrace Technology

    Audiobooks and voice assistants like Alexa & Google are enormously helpful and easy to adopt.

    OE:  Get Back The Joy Of Reading With NLS

    OE:  Alexa, Read My Book

    OE:  Event Recap: Siri, Google & Alexa

     

    Man using IrisVision technology.
    • See Ophthalmologist & Low Vision Specialist

    The doctors can help patients maximize remaining vision.

    OE:  Event Recap: Electronic Glasses

    OE:  Magnifiers Are A Must

    OE:  Be An Informed Patient

     

    • Vision Rehab

    Often this suggestion comes as a last resort for patients with advanced vision loss.  It usually requires legal blindness to qualify for vision rehabilitation services, but it is most effective when included early in the process.  Making incremental changes at every stage helps to dramatically ease the adjustment. Attempting to recover once the vision loss is severe, is far more difficult. 

    AAO:  Low Vision Rehabilitation Services

     

    Read the AAO News Release that inspired our post:

    More Older Americans Will Suffer From Low Vision,Here’s How to Make Life Easier and Safer

    Happy senior friends drinking tea at a table.

     

  • Event Recap: Siri, Google & Alexa

    Event Recap: Siri, Google & Alexa

    OE’s September Accessibility Session at MEETH was lively.  Attendance was excellent and our audience was actively engaged, even in the midst of a change of rooms, technical difficulties, and a fire alarm, thankfully false.  The podcast that would have been created from the recording of this event, did not work out exactly as originally planned, but that will be redone soon, in a quieter setting, and available for all to enjoy.

    The voice assistants, Siri, Google & Alexa, are powered by Artificial Intelligence, technology that mimics cognitive human function, such as learning, planning and problem solving.  It comes as no surprise that this technology is being adopted at a rapid rate by everyone, especially people with vision loss.  It makes life a little easier and a little more interesting. The voice interaction eliminates the stress of reading with low vision.  A myriad of tasks are there for the asking.  To get their attention just say, “Hey Siri,” “Okay Google,” or “Alexa.”

    We access our digital assistants on smart speakers, mobile devices and computers.  In fact, it is possible to call upon all 3 assistants from 1 iPhone.  Both Alexa and Google Assistant are available for iOS, however there is no Siri for Android.  You may be partial to one or another, and you may think your assistant is the smartest, or not.  While they are quite comparable in ability and intelligence, when put to the test, Google is numero uno, followed by Alexa, then Siri.  But they’d all be the first to tell you, they’re still learning.

    Although it feels as if we’ve known them forever, Siri, Alexa and Google were all introduced within this decade.  Siri was launched as an app in 2010, and acquired shortly after by Apple.  Amazon Echo & Alexa came to life in 2014, creating the first smart speaker for home.  Google got in the game in 2016 delivering Google Home & Google Assistant, serious competition to Amazon.  And Siri’s high end Home Pod just joined the group in 2018.

     

    What can they do?

    You can always just ask, Siri, Google or Alexa, “What can you do?” However, there are no complete answers because the list goes on and on and on.

    Keeping Time

    • What time is it?
    • Set an alarm for 6 am.
    • What time is it in Tokyo?
    • Set a timer for 10 minutes.
    • Set multiple times simultaneously with Google or Alexa.

    Checking Weather

    • What’s the weather going to be like?
    • Is it windy?
    • Is it raining?
    • What’s the humidity?
    • What will the weather be like in Paris tomorrow?

    Dictionary

    • How do you spell “ophthalmology?”
    • What is the definition of “integrity?” 
    • Is “user-friendly” hyphenated?

    Math Calculations

    • What is 500 divided by 8?
    • What is 177 times 12?
    • What does 5,679 minus 834 equal?

    Get the News

    • What’s the latest news on CNN?

    Radio

    • Play WNYC radio.

    Podcasts

    • Play The Daily from The New York Times.

    Stock Quotes

    • What is Apple trading at today?

    Music

    • Play Nora Jones.
    • Play the Beatles.
    • Play “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.
    • Play Beethoven.

    Sports Updates

    • Are the Yankee’s winning?
    • What’s the score for the NY Giants?
    • When does the NBA season begin?

    Shopping

    • Alexa reorder vacuum bags.
    • Hey Google, buy paper towels.

    And More…

    • Turn on the lights.
    • Play relaxations sounds.
    • Get an Uber.
    • Schedule calendar events.
    • How do you say “voice assistant in Italian?
    • Apple Pay $25 to Bert.
    • Apple Pay $20 to Dan.
    • Send a message to Jill.

     

    Do They Respect Your Privacy?

    The question is can these technologies be trusted to protect or respect your privacy?  The answer is probably not.  When you agree, and we all do, to their privacy policies, because you want to use their technology, you are basically agreeing to give them access to your personal information.  We’re not talking about your social security number, financial information, or the skeletons in your family closet; we’re talking about the questions you ask and the searches you request.  This is information that is recorded and may be used to market products to you or to improve the responses you receive.  It’s hard to say definitively how much they have on you.  The invasions of your privacy can be limited, and that responsibility falls on you.  So if this is concerning, read the policies you are agreeing to to and limit your exposure where possible.

    Apple’s privacy policy is the most customer centric, Google’s the least.  Basically, Google takes liberties with their policy, but they also provide privacy controls that give you choices about how they use your information.  We discovered, for example, you can delete your voice recording in the Alexa app, or simply say, “Alexa, delete everything I said today.”  It’s important to review your app settings and opt in or out as you deem appropriate.

    All the assistants have technical support available by phone, they can help you better understand the policies and get the settings updated.  Here are the phone numbers to call, followed by a few links to interesting policy references.

    • Alexa Technical Support: 877-375-9365
    • Apple Accessibility Support: 877-204-3930
    • Google Home Support: 855-971-9121

    You can finally delete (most of) your Amazon Echo transcripts. Here’s how

    Hi Alexa, How Do I Stop You From Listening In On Me?

    Apparently, Apple Was Listening To Some Siri Recordings — But It Has A New Privacy Policy

    Google Privacy Policy & Terms

     

  • Aira Adds A Free Tier

    Aira Adds A Free Tier

    The free tier of service described in this post ended in August 2020, for updated article on Aira services, go to Aira is Remote Visual Assistance.

    Independence is a prideful thing, asking for help is not always easy. Getting help, when you need it, is also a challenge. It can be a recurring conundrum for people with vision loss. In a move, that might nicely serve this need, Aira recently announced the addition of a new free tier of service. All calls to Aira agents under 5 minutes are free. Aira is a service that connects people with low vision or blindness to specially trained agents in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. You’re not bothering them, they want you to call, it’s what they do. They offer another pair of eyes, when you need them.

    The announcement came to me in a text message as I was preparing dinner a few weeks ago. It said, “Big Aira news: short calls with Aira agents are now free, every day. Great for quick 5 minute tasks around the house, try it now!” So I did. It just so happened, I was wondering if my oven temperature was set correctly, one of those tasks only a better eye than mine can determine. The agent answered immediately and greeted me by name. She asked that I move the phone camera slightly to the left, and then right, before confirming the settings were accurate. I’ve also called upon Aira for help in the supermarket to read product packaging and Use or Sell By dates. When I couldn’t find an address in an unfamiliar location, a quick call to an agent helped me get right to the door.

    Screenshot of Aira app home page.
    Screenshot of Aira app home page.

    The App

    Access to Aira’s free services requires an app. Create an account and sign in as a Guest. The app will tell you what Aira Access Location are in your vicinity. In Access Locations, which include Bank of America, Walgreens, AT&T, select airports (read Aira At The Airport) and transit systems, like all of Boston’s MBTA railroad, subway and bus stops, the service is paid for by the location and you enjoy guest access for free. If you already have an Aira account, you’re good to go, just make sure you have the latest version of the app.

    Optional Upgrade To A Monthly Plan

    For calls that require more than 5 minutes you can upgrade to a monthly plan, starting at $29 for 30 minutes, to $199 for 300 minutes. There are no contracts and plans can be increased as needed. Service can be upgraded in the app or with a free call to an agent. Paying members, called ‘Explorers,’ still get the first 5 minutes of every call free.  

    You may find great value in a plan that enables you to take a guided stroll through a museum, rediscover your neighborhood restaurants and shops, or get help navigating an airport that is not yet a free access location. The possibilities are endless.

    Smart Glasses

    The Aira service is not limited to smartphone users, it can also be accessed by Explorers using smart glasses. This is an option some smartphone users may also prefer, as it allows relatively hands free access. For more information on Aira with smart glasses speak to an agent or call 800-835-1934.

    Tell Aira Where You Want Guest Access

    To sponsor more free service and expand inclusivity, Aira needs to build their Guest Access Network. The most significant impact comes from businesses with many locations. If you know of a someone with interest in making Aira’s services available to their customers, send that information to: [email protected]. 

    Website: Aira.io

    Phone: 800-835-1934

  • Grandpa, You Can See That?

    Grandpa, You Can See That?

    There is a famous proverb I learned in drama class many years ago and thought it apropos for this article.  “Do not judge a man until you’ve walked two moons in his moccasins.”  I offer up this advice, with a tinge of humor, for family, friends, colleagues and caregivers.  Having contracted macular degeneration more than 50 years ago, I feel well qualified to share my insights.

    Grandkids, or maybe even spouses, leave shoes, toys, and other obstacles in the middle of the living room floor.  They know you have a visual impairment, but it’s their house too, and this is normal behavior.  There are other usual and obvious hazards created by loved ones all the time, unintentionally.  Cabinet doors, closet doors, and drawers left open are undetectable by my eyes until it’s too late, and a collision is the end game.  The Bible tells us, not to place stumbling blocks in the path of the blind.  Although this may be a metaphor for life’s travails, for me it’s a truism.

    The pointing finger really gets my goat.  I walk into a retail store wearing the standard blindness indicators, dark glasses and white cane.  I ask a sales associate for help locating an item.  The answer comes back, “It’s over there,” and I see, peripherally, the finger is pointing in a general direction.  To avoid repeating this experience, I learned it’s best to immediately go to the register and state directly, “Can you help me find something? I’m blind.”  This pronouncement is necessary because in many stores the training is not inclusive of the accouterments of vision loss, or how to accommodate customers who are visually impaired.

    My lovely wife is always exhorting me to use the motorized cart when we shop, because I have difficulty walking.  I constantly tell her, “Honey, I’m blind in my left eye, leaving me with no depth perception, and I’m afraid I’ll hit somebody.”

    Neighbors, not accustomed to living with a person who has low vision, can be unaware of the pitfalls.  Serving me water in a clear glass is a risky move, placing the glass on a mirrored coffee table top, totally treacherous.

    Sometimes, even the youngest child can surprise you.  It happened on a trip to the zoo with our 5 year old great-granddaughter.  We were enjoying ice cream cones and getting a little messy.  My wife asked where the ladies room was and I pointed to the restrooms behind her.  My little one exclaimed, “Grandpa, you can see that?”  I told her that I knew where it was because I had used the facilities before, but was charmed at her cognition of my condition.

    And a child shall lead the way.

     

  • Event Recap: Amazon’s Accessibility

    Event Recap: Amazon’s Accessibility

    Like everything about Amazon, its commitment to accessibility is big. Because there is so much to know, we decided to make it the subject of this Accessibility Resource session for people with vision loss.  You may be familiar with font and screen settings for Kindle, or voice assistance from Alexa; but did you know about Accessibility Support for shopping, or the VoiceView screen reader in Kindle’s and Fire tablets.  And there’s more.

    Here is a rundown of vision accessibility options available in Amazon’s products and services.

     

    White shopping cart icon on blue circle.

    Shopping Made Easier

    Amazon recommends its mobile site for improved access visually or with screen readers.  Optimized for mobile devices, this site offers a much cleaner, less cluttered interface which simplifies navigation.  They also added an Accessibility Support Phone for retail, a personal shopper will help you find the products you want and put them in your cart, then you just have to click to place your order.  You can also ask Alexa to find products or reorder items.

    • Contact Accessibility Support / Personal Shopper: 888-283-1678

     

    Fire TV

    The streaming media player connects your TV to the internet and allow you to access channels and apps.  Ask Alexa to turn on the TV, dim the lights, and play “Stranger Things.”

    • Alexa – voice access
    • VoiceView – screen reader
    • Screen Magnifier – zoom in for closer look
    • High Contrast Text – white on black with a border
    • Audio Description – on movies & TV

    More at: All New Fire TV

     

    Amazon Fire 7 Tablet with opened box.

    Fire Tablet

    • Alexa – voice access video, books, apps
    • Screen Magnifier – pinch to zoom
    • Large Font Mode – increase font size on menus and text, emails, books
    • Kindle App – adjust font (11 sizes) background color, brightness and margin
    • VoiceView – screen reader with onscreen tutorial
    • Explore by Touch – gestures and shortcuts
    • Braille Support
    • Help – accessibility user guide
    • Technical support with remote access

    More at: All New Tablets

     

    Kindle eReaders

    • Customize font size, style and weight
    • Invert background color to black with white text
    • Control screen brightness
    • Select themes including line spacing and margins
    • Glare-free screens
    • VoiceView screenreader (external for Paperwhite)

    More at: All New Kindles

     

    Light blue and white Amazon Alexa app icon.

    Ask Alexa

    • What are your skills?
    • What time is it?
    • What is the weather?
    • Turn on TV, lights, appliances.
    • Read my Kindle or Audible book.
    • Play a podcast.
    • Play a game.
    • Check spelling, grammar and definitions.

    More about: What Alexa Can Do

    More on Amazon at: Amazon Accessibility

     

    Black and white telephone call icon.

    Amazon Support Phone Lines

    Customer service and technical support are very good and the new Accessibility Support (primarily for retail purchases) will connect to any other specialists you may need to access.  All are well versed in accessibility features for specific devices.

    Accessibility / Personal Shopper: 888-283-1678

    Alexa: 877-375-9365

    Kindle & Fire: 866-321-8851

     

    Amazon Books Store

    Amazon takes a new physical form, at their store in NYC, they will set up your device with an emphasis on accessibility and show you how to use it.

    Amazon Books

    7 West 34 Street (across from Empire State Building)

    New York City 10001

    Phone: 212-695-8704

    More at: Amazon Store NYC

     

  • Don’t take the fall, prevent it

    Don’t take the fall, prevent it

    Falling is unpleasant at any age, for older adults it is downright dangerous.  Getting up from a fall becomes more difficult with each decade, and we are much slower to recover, both physically and emotionally.  There are many contributing factors that increase the risk, vision loss is certainly one of them.

    Hindsight is, as they say, 20/20.  Succumbing to injury is always regrettable, and in retrospect we often realize, it could have been avoided.  With the help of Alice Massa, an experienced Occupational Therapist and low vision expert, we’ve organized a list of guidelines to elevate your awareness about falls prevention and keep you on your feet.

     

    1. Vision

    Consult with your ophthalmologist to insure you are maximizing the vision you have.  Updating prescriptions and having cataracts removed can help make your surroundings a little more clear and easier to negotiate.

     

    1. Balance

    Remaining steady on your feed has a lot to do with good balance.  If you are feeling unsteady or faint, sit down immediately to avoid the fall. Regular exercise and strength training is highly recommended.  Each day practice standing on 1 leg to improve balance.  For more about the Single Leg Stance click here.  

     

    1. Floor Coverings

    Rugs and runners can be treacherous, be sure they are flush to the floor and have non-slip backing.  Get rid of rugs or carpet with fraying or curled edges.  Repair damaged or uneven flooring.

     

    1. Walkways

    There should be zero tolerance for clutter on floors.  No wires or cords that can catch a foot and take you down.  Something as innocent looking as a single sheet of paper can cause a deadly slip.  Shoes, particularly dark shoes on a dark floor, can go unnoticed, creating a serious hazard. 

     

    1. Footwear

    Wear well fitting shoes and boots with flat, non-skid soles.  If you do not feel secure in a shoe, get rid of it.  Walking around the house in socks, or barefoot, is not recommended, broken toes are also extremely painful and debilitating.

     

    1. Lighting

    Don’t skimp on lighting.  Make sure rooms are well lit and light switches are easily accessible.  Keep night lights on and a flashlight on hand.

     

    1. Kitchen

    Clean up spills immediately to prevent slips.  Keep frequently used items on lower shelves, to minimize the need for step stools.

     

    1. Bathroom

    Make sure your tub has a non-skid surface and grab bars if needed.  Keep a light on for travel to and from the bedroom during the night.

     

    1. Streets

    Cracked and uneven sidewalks create serious risk.  Pay attention and step carefully.  Using a cane can help you identify changes in the elevation of walkways and street crossings.  Read “Consider The Long White Cane” on OE.

     

    You know, they also say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Take steps today to avoid the fall, and the regret.

     

  • Hope For Age-Related Macular Degeneration

    Hope For Age-Related Macular Degeneration

    Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye condition that impacts millions in the United States alone. In our previous article, we explored the different levels and types, as well as major risk factors.

    Thankfully, treatment is an effective option now.

    Even just fifteen or so years ago, having the advanced form of AMD almost guaranteed that your vision would become severely impaired. 

     

    Treatment for Wet AMD

    Treatment for wet AMD is one of the biggest advances – in all of medicine – within the past two decades. 

    Currently, the standard treatments for wet AMD are delivered by injections into your eye. 

    A needle to the eye sounds scary, and everyone is nervous the first time.  But rest assured, it’s not as bad as it sounds. 

    Every single one of my patients after their first injection has commented along the lines of, “That’s it?”, “That wasn’t bad at all!” or “You’re done already?”.  We numb the eye well, and you might feel some pressure, but it shouldn’t be painful.

    Your eyes may feel irritated for the rest of the day after the numbing medication wears off though, and this is caused by the anti-septic that we all use to prevent infections. 

     

    Stay Alert After Your AMD Treatment

    The main precaution is to contact your retina specialist if you have any vision loss or pain a few days after an injection, which are potential signs of an infection, and that needs to be treated aggressively.  Infections are very rare but that’s one thing to look out for as a patient receiving injections.

    One of the joys of being a retina specialist is that we get to know our patients with wet AMD and their families really well. 

    In fact, you’ll probably see us more than any one of your other physicians. The injections, for the time being, are required relatively frequently, especially in the beginning.

     

    New Advances in Treatments for AMD

    There are many promising new treatments in the pipeline for wet AMD also, that hopefully will work even better with longer durability, so that we can decrease the treatment burden and further improve outcomes.

    Tremendous efforts are being made in numerous laboratories and clinical trials to advance what we can offer patients with wet AMD. 

    Right now, is one of the most exciting times for developments in the management of wet AMD, and hopefully, similar strides can be made for dry AMD as well.

    Some exciting clinical trials and research for geographic atrophy (GA) include agents to block specific pathways are also underway. 

    There is a lot of hype and hope surrounding stem cells in all of medicine, but one word of caution regarding stem cell therapies: please talk to your retina specialist before enrolling in stem cell trials. 

    There are very few legitimate active stem cell trials, but there have been reports of fraudulent and financially driven “stem cell clinics” that have blinded vulnerable patients looking for hope.

     

    Hope for the Future

    You are definitely not alone. 

    In addition to the millions of other people living with AMD, your retina specialists and thousands of vision researchers are working hard to make new discoveries.

    February is National AMD Awareness Month – please spend a moment to talk to your friends and family to discuss what it means to live with AMD, the progress that we have made, and the promising hope we have for the future.

     

  • What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

    What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

    You’re not alone if you were recently diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

    Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye condition that impacts millions in the United States alone. In our previous article, What is AMD?, we explored the different levels and types, as well as major risk factors.

    It’s one of the most common causes of visual impairment in older adults, affecting millions in the United States alone. Chances are, the nice woman sitting next to you in a clinic’s waiting room has AMD also, and undergoing treatment.

    AMD is caused by deterioration of the cells in the macula, which is the part of the retina that is responsible for your central vision. Why this occurs is complex and multifactorial.

    Risk Factors for AMD

    The biggest risk factors for AMD that are not under your control include older age, a strong family history of AMD, being Caucasian, and female.

    A modifiable risk factor that everyone should avoid is cigarette smoking.  Many studies have looked at other various factors, but optimizing your cardiovascular status and being healthy overall is beneficial.

     

    Types of AMD

    There are three levels of age-related macular degeneration: mild, intermediate, and advanced.

    Mild AMD

    Most patients have mild AMD, characterized by small yellow deposits in the macula called drusen, which are accumulations of metabolic byproducts.

    Intermediate AMD

    Intermediate AMD is when the drusen become larger and more numerous.

    Thankfully, vision is usually not affected at these levels of AMD, but it’s important for you to know of the diagnosis because it changes how your eye is examined.

    Intermediate AMD is when your doctor will likely recommend taking AMD vitamins, which have been shown in large clinical trials to slow the progression to advanced AMD.

    There are many brands of AMD vitamins, but make sure to look for the “AREDS-2” formulation.  AREDS stands for “age-related eye disease study,” which is the name of the National Eye Institute clinical trial studying these vitamin combinations.

    Advanced AMD

    Advanced AMD is when vision loss is noticeable.

    There are two types of advanced AMD: geographic atrophy (GA), and “wet” AMD.

    GA is a continuation of the dry 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 of your vision over time.

    We, unfortunately, do not have interventions to reverse this process, but it is one of the “hottest” areas of research in medicine, and there are numerous treatments in the pipelines.

    What about the other form of advanced AMD, the “wet” type?  Abnormal blood vessels develop underneath the retina and cause bleeding and swelling of the macula.  This happened in approximately 10% of all cases of AMD. Common symptoms include blurriness and waviness or loss of central vision.

    Please contact your retina specialist immediately if you experience such changes, as we have good treatments now, that can improve or stabilize the vision in the majority of patients.

     

    Up Next

    In a follow up article, we’ll explore available treatments for AMD, and why you should remain hopeful if you’ve been diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration.

     

  • eSight Up Close

    eSight Up Close

    Note: In January 2019, eSight announced a permanent 40% price reduction for its eSight electronic glasses, from $10,000 USD to $5,950 USD. In February 2020 the price was again reduced to $3995 USD.

    eSight is a head-mounted video display that uses magnification to help people with low vision see. It requires a visual function to work, provides optimal benefit to those with visual acuities around 20/200, and with a field view greater than 15 degrees. The device can even be useful for people with acuities as low as 20/1000.

    The 1st generation of this product came to market in 2013 at a price of $15,000. Generation 3 arrived in 2017 at just under $10,000.  Currently sold in about 42 countries, there are about over 1,000 eSight devices in use today. The company offers assistance to help customers find funding for the device.

    eSight has received a lot of media attention, but it has not really caught on. Price most certainly is a factor.

    A woman walking while using eSight glasses in a city.
    A woman walking while using eSight glasses in a city.

    Recently, a friend scheduled an eSight demo in New York and invited me to join. We both have advanced central vision loss. He was not able to benefit at all from eSight, but I was. And I began to see the light.

    The eSight 3 is a cumbersome visor-like device. It is heavier than I expect and there is a wire that is attached to a battery pack. The eSight specialist adjusts the device and I am able to look across the room and see her colleague smiling at me. I can tell she is wearing bright red lipstick and a red and white print scarf.

    This is indeed a moment. I look around the room and walk over to look out the window. They show me how I might read with this device, zooming into the print. For me, nothing else feels quite as profound as being able to see a person’s face from the other side of a room.

    Although I would have difficulty wearing the eSight device in public for daily activities like commuting, restaurant dining, or grocery store shopping, perhaps others would be unfazed. The potential benefits are highly individual. There are many ways this device can keep you working,  enjoying hobbies, watching TV. And of course, seeing people.

    Remember, it comes down to adjusting, and it takes some time to get comfortable. If eSight can give you back or help you maintain function, and you use it every day, it can be a worthwhile investment.

    eSight Resources

    eSight’s Frequently Asked Questions

    eSight 3 Demonstration Video from The Chicago Lighthouse

    In this video, Luke Scriven, Assistive Technology Specialist at The Chicago Lighthouse, explores eSight 3’s features.

    Testimonial Video by Techish

    Yvonne Felix is a working professional, public and community artist, and a mother of two, living with Stargardt disease. In this video, she demonstrates her experience with eSight 3. eSight CEO Brian Mech joins her to explain how it works.

    Disclaimer: Yvonne is a beta-tester number one for eSight, starting in 2012. We’d also like to note that, more accurately, the device can potentially assist with helping people who are “legally blind” see better with the sight they have remaining.

    Please note that this article was not paid for, affiliated with, or endorsed by any third-party companies. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author’s.

    Originally published on December 1, 2017 and updated on October 10, 2018.

  • Audio Description: The Visual Voice

    Audio Description: The Visual Voice

    How AD Helps You See The Details

    Perhaps you’ve noticed the increasing availability of audio description (AD) and descriptive video service (DVS) for movies, theater and TV. This is one of the ways digital technology is boosting accessibility for viewers with vision loss. The visual voice describes the images and fills in the details we might have otherwise missed. It is the great equalizer.

     

    Young happy smiling brunette woman with headphones outdoors on autumn day.
    Young woman outdoors with headphones on autumn day

     

    Audio description is a narrative guide subtly slipped into the quiet spaces of the program, its purpose to keep the viewer fully informed. AD is something of an art itself, delivered by trained, skilled professionals, with typically high-quality results.

    Access to the visual content through concise descriptions changes the experience completely. The things you cannot see become known: a facial expression, a subtle gesture, a funny quirk.

     

    Audio Description for Movies, Theater and TV

    The descriptive track is now embedded into most widely-released movies in the US.

    To access the tracks on mobile devices or computers, it’s as easy as turning on Audio Description in the device setting. For example on an iPad, AD is turned on in the Accessibility settings under “Media”. More movie theaters are providing AD listening devices for any guest wishing to use them, and there is theater personnel on hand to assist.

    Getting access to AD on a traditional television is a bit more complicated, and dependent on the TV, the cable provider, and even the region. For TV, our best advice is, settle in for a long call with technical support, it will prove worth your while.

    Although it is lovely to have a live, professional audio describer at your service, it is not nearly as efficient as digital technology. There is a tremendous freedom involved in knowing an audio track is readily available for Broadway shows, museums and movies. Even better when the technology is accessed from your own personal device.

    Broadway has the Galapro app for iOS and Android, which syncs the audio description instantly to the live performance.

    There is an app for movies called Actiview, also designed to sync automatically and getting excellent reviews on the App Store. Rest assured, we will be seeing a great deal more development in apps of this nature for all arts and entertainment.

     

    The Audio Description Project: A Comprehensive Resource

    The progress we get to enjoy today is the result of inclusive technologies aligning with advocacy efforts years in the making. One of the organizations that stepped into a leadership role in AD is the American Council of the Blind (ACB).

    The Audio Description Project (ADP) “is designed to promote and advocate for the use of high-quality audio description in television, movies, performing arts, museums and educational materials,” Joel Snyder, PH.D, the project’s director told us in an email. He added, ADP’s goals “are to build awareness of audio description among the general public as well as its principal users, people who are blind or have low vision.”

    Started a decade ago, the scope of the project’s work include a Biennial ADP Conference, outreach and education, training courses and mentoring programs for professionals. And, we were pleased to learn there are even ADP Awards. The ADP website provides a comprehensive reference and resource for all things AD.

    Audio Described Program Listings are published for:

    • AD Service Providers
    • International
    • Museums and Parks
    • Performing Arts
    • TV
    • DVDs
    • Movies
    • Streaming Services

    The ADP website is intensive, so take some time to browse. There is a Master List with over 2,000 entries.

    If you’re wondering about a specific program, go straight to the website’s search field.

    And should you have a question or need assistance, click on the link to “Contact Webmaster” on the bottom of every page; his name is Fred Brack and we found him very responsive and extremely helpful.

     

  • You’re Never Too Old To Learn

    You’re Never Too Old To Learn

    Having chaired a support group for more than 20 years in Florida, the land of seniors and thus the land of visual impairment, I see an interesting story.

    From my own observation at my meetings, where I often invite presenters, such as Magnifying America, Enhanced Vision, Optelec, Freedom Scientific, Magnifeye, OrCam, eSight, I see surprisingly little buying.

    There is interest, of course, as some of these new devices now are portable and can read to you, along with other delightful add-ons and gadgets to allow us to function as independently as possible.

    I know that I couldn’t function without one such device and I have four: one in my office, one in my bedroom and another on my patio, plus a “mini” that I carry with me.  These must-have devices of mine are video magnifiers, also known as CCTVs.

    I’m legally blind: 20/400 in my left eye and 20/300 in my right. I have lectured on the advantages of adaptive devices, iPhones, as well as others that have been developed over the years, and I would love to know what keeps some people holding back.

    I had a member recently call me asking where he could get a large-number flip phone. I said, “Get a smartphone. You don’t have to look for numbers, you just have to program the phone and then ask them to call that person.” Then I added, “Even if that person is not on your contact list, you tell the phone the number you need.”

    I don’t think a day goes by that I’m not on my computer. I wake up to search my email and close down at night, seeing what else came in. I do research, catch up on the news of the day and visit my friends and family as well as the stock market.

    The doctor tells us our hearing is bad and we run to buy a hearing aid for an average price of $3,000. We run to the eye doctor, retina specialist, or low vision optometrist, and fit new glasses, yet don’t run to buy a CCTV. We ask others to read our mail, may not be able to read a newspaper or magazine or book, yet hesitate to get an electronic magnifier to open up the world.

    One thing I picked up on while lecturing on “Low Vision Rehabilitation” really opened my eyes. A lady in the front row said, “Why should I bother? I’m 95 years old.” I came back with, “What are you waiting for?”

    No one knows for sure how much time we have left. Why not make the time we do have left as good as we can make it? If we can better our lives on this Earth, let’s go for it!


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