Career Resources for People with Vision Impairments

The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) hosts a number of important career resources to assist people with vision impairments in their career development, including CareerConnect and its family of ConnectCenter websites.  These sites provide job listings, advice for career exploration and development, and help and support for navigating the work world. APH has… Continue reading Career Resources for People with Vision Impairments

Ensight’s Online Low Vision Education Series Provides Helpful Tips

Living with low vision means making many adaptations and learning new ways to do old things.  If you want to keep learning about new technologies, techniques, and the latest news about eye disorders, you may want to attend Ensight’s online presentations.  You can now watch Ensight Low Vision Education Series from the comfort of your… Continue reading Ensight’s Online Low Vision Education Series Provides Helpful Tips

Accessible Voting 2020

Are you wondering how to vote in the November 2020 election?  The following accessible voting options are available for Colorado voters who have low vision.  This information was provided by the Larimer County Elections Division  (Vote Larimer.Org):  If you live in Colorado in other counties, please visit your local Secretary of States’ website as well… Continue reading Accessible Voting 2020

Podcasts for People with Vision Impairments

Audio Information Network The Audio Information Network of Colorado (AINC) is an Ensight partner serving people with low vision, blindness, or print disabilities.  AINS provides a large number of podcasts on a variety of subjects through their app or website.  You can access various Colorado newspapers, or  podcasts on health, entertainment, employment opportunities, sale and… Continue reading Podcasts for People with Vision Impairments

Exercise May Slow or Prevent Macular Degeneration

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]From newsroom.uvahealth.com Exercise can slow or prevent the development of macular degeneration and may benefit other common causes of vision loss, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, new research suggests. The new study from the University of Virginia School of Medicine found that exercise reduced the harmful overgrowth of blood vessels in the eyes of… Continue reading Exercise May Slow or Prevent Macular Degeneration

Low vision safety during COVID19

Ensight Skills and Curtis Strong Center are open for appointments!  We are following CDC guidelines:  masks are required, and we are cleaning thoroughly between client visits.  Doors are closed to walk ins.  Our low vision occupational therapists are also making home visits for those who need and want them. Our low vision support group is… Continue reading Low vision safety during COVID19

Director Adam Morse releases new movie, reveals he’s blind

Actor Laurie Calvert and Director Morse

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Adam Morse always wanted to make films. The 28-year-old from Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom, began to lose his eyesight in 2009, and he told The Guardian that at that time his confidence, mobility, and social interactions were all profoundly affected. He was diagnosed with Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder. But he… Continue reading Director Adam Morse releases new movie, reveals he’s blind

FFB Funding More than $2 Million in New Research Including Several Studies on Retinal Diseases

Low vision assessment

By Ben Shaberman on August 6, 2018 Reprinted with permission of the FFB The Foundation Fighting Blindness has announced funding for seven new research projects to advance the development of treatments and cures for retinal degenerative diseases. Each project will receive a total of $300,000 over a three-year period. The grants were selected through FFB’s annual… Continue reading FFB Funding More than $2 Million in New Research Including Several Studies on Retinal Diseases

Foundation Fighting Blindness Clinical Research Institute Hosted Workshop for ProgStar, Largest Natural History Study for Stargardt Disease Ever Launched

NEI

Reprinted with permission of FFB The primary goal of the landmark study, funded by the Foundation, is to provide companies and researchers with disease-progression data and potential clinical trial endpoints to drive therapy development Columbia, MD – More than 60 leading retinal disease clinical researchers from around the world gathered in Baltimore on June 11, 2018… Continue reading Foundation Fighting Blindness Clinical Research Institute Hosted Workshop for ProgStar, Largest Natural History Study for Stargardt Disease Ever Launched

NEI funded researchers identify 133 genetic variants that predict glaucoma risk

Glaucoma (NEI)

Results inform strategies aimed at preventing vision loss From the National Eye Institute Researchers funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI) have identified 133 genetic variants that predict with 75-percent accuracy a person’s risk for developing glaucoma related to elevated pressure within the eye. Future genetic tests could identify high-risk individuals who would benefit from… Continue reading NEI funded researchers identify 133 genetic variants that predict glaucoma risk

My aching neck: Massage for people with vision impairments

Excerpted from “Insight for Bodyworkers: Connecting with Blind and Visually Impaired Clients” By Mary Kathleen Rose Sept/Oct 2012 issue of Massage and Bodywork magazine Conditions of the eyes range from common eyestrain, myopia (nearsightedness), and presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) to diseases that threaten significant loss of vision, such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinopathy.  While… Continue reading My aching neck: Massage for people with vision impairments

Immune cells in the retina can spontaneously regenerate

Macular Degeneration (NEI)

From nei.nih.org 5/13/18 Immune cells called microglia can completely repopulate themselves in the retina after being nearly eliminated, according to a new study in mice from scientists at the National Eye Institute (NEI). The cells also re-establish their normal organization and function. The findings point to potential therapies for controlling inflammation and slowing progression of… Continue reading Immune cells in the retina can spontaneously regenerate

Studies Show Mediterranean Diet May Lower Advanced AMD Risk

eatingwell.com

ARVO 2018: Mediterranean Diet May Lower Advanced AMD Risk Reprinted with the permission of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. By Ben Shaberman on May 1, 2018 Several research studies have suggested that the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) – which is rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, and fish – may be good for your health, including lowering your risk of… Continue reading Studies Show Mediterranean Diet May Lower Advanced AMD Risk

Vision Loss and Career Concerns

Education and Support

People who have vision impairments have unique career challenges:  In a 2014 article for Massachusett’s radio station WBUR’s opinion page, Dave Powers wrote that “A staggering 75% of individuals who are blind or have low vision are currently unemployed despite being capable, motivated, and having access to adaptive technology that allows them to perform many… Continue reading Vision Loss and Career Concerns

Ophthotech Launching Human Study of Emerging Therapy for Stargardt Disease

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]  Reprinted with permission from the Foundation Fighting Blindness Blog Ophthotech, a biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for eye diseases, has enrolled the first patient in its Phase 2b clinical trial of Zimura® for people with Stargardt disease caused by mutations in the gene ABCA4. The 120-participant study will be taking place at more than 30 sites. Data and… Continue reading Ophthotech Launching Human Study of Emerging Therapy for Stargardt Disease