Prevent Blindness America Launches New Education Program, “Living Well with Low Vision”
New Web Resource Designed to Serve Millions of Americans with Low Vision
CHICAGO (Sept. 12, 2013)– Almost 3 million Americans have low vision, according to the National Eye Institute. And, those numbers are expected to increase to more than 5 million by 2030 and close to 9 million by 2050. Low vision is defined as vision loss that cannot be corrected with eyeglasses, medicine or surgery. And, it may impact a person’s ability to do everything from working, driving, reading, or even walking safely around the home.
To directly address the needs of those with low vision and their caregivers, Prevent Blindness America has launched a new online resource: Living Well with Low Vision, lowvision.preventblindness.org. The goal of the newwebsite is to make it as easy as possible for people to educate themselves about loss of vision, to meet the daily challenges resulting from it, and to continue to have a high quality of life.
Living Well with Low Vision was specifically developed from the point of view of patients and patient advocates. The information on the site conveys the message that seniors experiencing vision loss are not alone, that other people have come through the experience with their independence and quality of life intact, and that adapting to vision loss is not an overwhelming, impossible task. Patient advocate and low vision educator Dan Roberts, M.M.E., serves as editor-in-chief for the online resource.
This new site, which is designed with viewing accommodations for differing levels of vision loss, provides:
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- an extensive list of searchable low vision resource directories;
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- a database of 1,500 municipal paratransit services;
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- a library of self-help guides and workbooks for people living with low vision, as well as their caregivers; and
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- an up-to-the-minute blog with news and features of interest for people living with age-related eye disease and significant visual impairment.
“As our population ages and the national diabetes epidemic continues to skyrocket, the impact of low vision on patients and their families will increase tremendously,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. “Through this new Living Well with Low Vision program, we can provide the public with the necessary resources to learn what low vision is, what to expect from the condition, and what tools are available to help limit the effects.”
For more information on Living Well with Low Vision, or other general eye health information, please call Prevent Blindness America at (800) 331-2020.
Download a copy of the Living Well With Low Vision press release.
