Author: Melody

Depression, Vision Loss and Vision Rehabilitation

Image from npr.com.

If you’re one of many older adults with vision loss who also experience depression, you’re not alone. While depression is not an inevitable consequence of vision impairment, it is common. An estimated one-third of older adults with vision loss report clinically significant depressive symptoms1. These may begin at the initial diagnosis of an eye disease, or they may appear many years later when vision problems worsen

What Can I Do About Macular Degeneration?

You have control over some of the known risk factors for macular degeneration. If you have macular degeneration, a family history of AMD, or are in the “macular generation” (age 60 or above), you should be particularly attentive to these. However, it is most effective to take these steps well before you are at risk.… Continue reading What Can I Do About Macular Degeneration?

Types of Age Related Macular Degeneration

There are two types of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). One form is known as “wet” and the other is “dry”. It is possible to experience both forms at the same time, in one or both eyes. It is not uncommon for a patient with the “dry” form to develop the “wet” form later. The onset… Continue reading Types of Age Related Macular Degeneration

Ensight Skills Center Celebrates 10 Years of Serving Coloradoans with Low Vision

Ensight staff in front of Fort Collins office

The Ensight Skills Center (ESC) which was founded on July 7, 2001 will be celebrating 10 years of service this July. It all began with a few visually impaired Lions: Carol Louks, Alan Beatty and Denny (Bettenhausen) Moyer, talking at a Fort Collins Lions Club meeting one day about how nice it would be for… Continue reading Ensight Skills Center Celebrates 10 Years of Serving Coloradoans with Low Vision

Our Wonderful Supporters: Lions Clubs of Colorado

We have so many wonderful supporters that help to keep Ensight going strong. First off, Ensight is a statewide Lions Club project. This means that we are lucky enough to have the encouragement and support of Lions Clubs all over Colorado. We exist because of the Lions Clubs. In fact, it was the Fort Collins… Continue reading Our Wonderful Supporters: Lions Clubs of Colorado

Importance of Lighting for Vision Loss

Good lighting is important for performing tasks like reading or sewing; it also creates a safer environment and helps to prevent accidents. As you age, the amount of light entering the eye is reduced, causing a reduction in visual acuity, contrast and color intensity. The type of lighting and its intensity, color and direction all… Continue reading Importance of Lighting for Vision Loss

My Mom is Visually Impaired

When I was growing up, I never understood what visually impaired meant. I was only 4-years-old when my mother was diagnosed with Stargardts, a juvenille onset of macular degeneration. When I was old enough to understand that my mom had difficulties with her vision, I still didn’t comprehend what the problem was. I knew that… Continue reading My Mom is Visually Impaired

Personal Vision-Loss Story: Lost in the Rain

I have worked in the field of blindness and visual impairment for the last 13 years, am the director of a visual rehabilitation center and have lived with low vision for the last 33 years, and yet, I still forget my tools and become lost! What a day. I am on my way to an… Continue reading Personal Vision-Loss Story: Lost in the Rain