Low Vision and Blindness Program
The Department of Special Education at Illinois State announced that it will offer a new online master’s program in low vision and blindness. The online program will provide licensed teachers an opportunity to add an endorsement in low vision and blindness while they work to obtain a master’s degree. The program came about because there is a serious shortage in low vision and blindness educators.“I cannot think of a more rewarding and inspiring career than working as a teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired,” said Dr. Mindy Ely, assistant professor and program coordinator. “We make a difference in the lives of our students while building relationships that endure beyond graduation. I look forward to sharing this opportunity with the graduate students who commit to this new preparation program at Illinois State.”
Please reach out to SDCB to learn more about our vision rehabilitation programs and services.
“New online master’s program in Low Vision and Blindness”
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Right now, over 3 million Americans and more than 60 million people worldwide have glaucoma. However, the number of people impacted by glaucoma is projected to climb to 4.2 million by 2030. The condition is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Since many people don’t realize they are losing their vision, glaucoma is referred to as the "sneak thief of sight."
McKenzie Hanlon is 22 years old and has struggled through more than most will endure in a lifetime. Hanlon has suffered a brain aneurism, two nearly-fatal strokes, mobility loss, and vision loss. Thanks to her guide dog CJ, Hanlon can overcome any challenges she faces. CJ assists Hanlon in traversing the world while maintaining her independence from vision loss. Her companionship with CJ inspires her to help others with similar hardships.
Dr. Pippa Anderson and Dr. Mari Jones, of Swansea University's Centre for Health Economics (SCHE), were awarded a substantial Research for Patient and Public Benefit (RfPPB) grant from Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW). The team is studying how better to manage chronic vision loss conditions in a community setting.
RetinaRisk is an app that helps people determine their risk of blindness from diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is a form of vision loss that affects over 120 million diabetics worldwide. RetinaRisk was created by healthcare entrepreneur and doctor Arna Gudmundsdottir and her team. The company, which is based in Iceland, has raised $1.8 million; the app has been downloaded by more than 800,000 people worldwide.
2020 was an exceedingly challenging year, but the New Year is upon us. Now is good time to look back on the previous 365 days and consider the advancements in ophthalmology 2020. Despite COVID-19, advancements in the field of medicine, technology, and science continued to occur. Interestingly, research on the coronavirus led to a better understanding of preventing irreversible vision loss.
Vision loss and blindness can occur suddenly or gradually over time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 12 million people age 40 or older in the United States are visually impaired; over 1 million people are blind. It can be helpful to understand the symptoms of vision loss and blindness. By 2050, experts estimate that the number could double.
At San Diego Center for the Blind, we are adapting our services for those who depend on us and cannot wait for normalcy. COVID-19 has disrupted our lives and we need your help now more than ever. Right now, it’s critical we support the blind and visually impaired. Please visit our 
With the coronavirus pandemic causing financial hardships for many individuals and families, you may benefit from one of SDG&E’s assistance programs. You can apply online for these bill discount programs. Many people who previously couldn’t take advantage of these income-based programs may now qualify due to lost wages – even if they’re receiving unemployment benefits. These programs include: 
Many of us are spending more time at home so we’re probably using more energy. Here are some no-cost and low-cost energy-saving tips. We know that every little bit helps, especially now.
People love lighting up their homes for the holidays – whether it’s inside your home along the fireplace or on your front lawn decorating your trees and bushes. What most people don’t love is the increase in their electricity bill after all the holiday cheer and lights are gone. 
A study conducted on 37 patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) produced some surprising conclusions. A revolutionary gene therapy showed promise on both eyes, even when only one eye was treated. The researchers found that 78 percent of participants had improved vision in both eyes. The gene therapy restores vision in legally blind patients. LHON affects around 1 in every 50,000 people, and the condition can steal one’s vision rapidly.
Robert Lucky, 25, became legally blind when he was 14. Nevertheless, he decided to live life to its fullest despite vision loss. He lives independently and has a job; he taught himself how to play the guitar and is even in a band. Even though he is legally blind, he has devised a way to ride an electric scooter. His rare genetic condition slows him down but does not hold him back in life.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of tens of millions of Americans, especially those living with vision loss and blindness. We ask that you help SDCB help others in 2021 by donating. With your support, we can provide vision rehabilitation services to those most in need in our COVID-19 world.
In 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) set a goal to reduce preventable vision loss by 25 percent by 2020. However, two studies appearing in The Lancet Global Health examining blindness and vision loss rates worldwide found no significant reduction in the number of people with treatable vision loss.
At Harvard University, researchers reversed vision loss in mice that have a condition mimicking human glaucoma. Instead of stemming the progression, the scientists successfully inverted glaucoma-induced vision loss. The findings could lead to the development of new therapies and treatments for reversing aging and age-related diseases in humans.
COVID-19 has disrupted the lives of tens of millions of Americans. We have adapted our services to continue helping people living with vision loss and blindness. SDCB needs your help more than ever to assist as many people as possible during these challenging times.
Despite vision loss, Zamarian Griffin loves to draw. Griffin has albinism, which affects his vision. He says whatever he draws is his vision. His talent has not gone unnoticed; it helped the visually impaired artist win a graphic design competition. Griffin's work showcased various aspects of visual impairment.
Many blind and visually impaired individuals take part in the sport of running. However, they often cannot run without support; dogs and human guides help blind runners excel. One instance of this is blind high school freshman Paul Scott and fourth-grader Rebel Hays. The latter helps Scott navigate cross country race courses using a rope. They work together as a team; Scott says that his guide inspires him to run faster.
December 1st is 
There are millions of people living with vision loss and blindness, but sadly there aren't enough guide dogs available. Guide dogs can help people living with vision loss go running. Fortunately, the new Project Guideline app helps blind people run.
In 2016, Dr. Rachel Pilling – a pediatric ophthalmologist – won Vision UK's Astbury Award for her work within the Bradford Learning Disability Eye Service. Now, the vision loss doctor was appointed with a professorship at the University of Bradford School of Optometry and Vision Science. She is the first professor in special needs and learning disability eye care in the United Kingdom.
It's easy to take eyesight and hearing for granted. Sixty-one million Americans live with a disability like vision loss, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, there are many accessibility tools for people with vision loss, including text to speech, braille, large-print, and alt text.
Many people do not understand that diabetes can impact one's eyes. During National Diabetes Awareness Month, we would like to bring your attention to diabetic retinopathy; it's one of the most common forms of diabetic eye disease. It occurs when diabetes affects the retina causing abnormal blood vessels to grow and to bleed. If not treated properly, diabetic retinopathy can cause permanent vision loss. During National Diabetes Awareness Month, you can benefit from scheduling an eye exam.
People with both hearing and vision loss benefit from a new AI-powered wearable device. The assistive technology combines Starkey's Livio Edge AI hearing aids with OrCam's wearable MyEye device. OrCam Technologies of Jerusalem is an artificial vision pioneer. Starkey is an American hearing industry leader. The two systems are integrated via a wireless connection.
In Calgary, a skatepark was repurposed for blind and visually impaired skateboarders. Using high-contrast markings and audio cues, blind and visually impaired skaters could utilize The Compound skatepark in Ramsay. The team of visually impaired and blind skateboarders goes by the name the "Skate Bats."
Dr. Michael Cusick, an ophthalmologist with the University of Virginia Health, is raising awareness about vision loss for people under 65. Dr. Cusick points out that many people have no symptoms of diabetic retinopathy until it's too late; it's the leading cause of vision loss for people under 65. Regular eye exams are crucial to spot leaking blood vessels in the back of the eye.
Red-green color blindness or deuteranopia is an inability to distinguish red and green pigments. It is most likely a congenital condition that many people don't know they have unless it's pointed out. There are red-green color blindness indicators, including confusing red and green pigments. A difficulty spotting reds and greens or their variations (oranges and browns) is another indicator.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of adult blindness, it slowly robs people of their vision. Over the years, companies have made claims that Vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and other supplements may help with preventing macular degeneration or vision loss. However, new research suggests that neither vitamin D nor omega-3s reduced the number of AMD cases. The findings were published in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Maeve Doyle is living with a genetic condition that impacts her ability to see—Stargardt disease. Doyle, 18, started college this year; she is studying genetics and may one day find a treatment for her blinding eye disease. Stargardt disease causes progressive vision loss. She says:
Nearly 8 million Americans are living with diabetic retinopathy, but most people don't know how to spot the signs of the condition, according to a new survey. Identifying the signs of diabetic retinopathy early on can prevent blindness. The survey showed that 64% did not know that high cholesterol increases the risk of developing the disorder. Of those polled, 48% didn't know that high blood pressure increased the risk of diabetic retinopathy.
In August, the biotech company eSight met the European Union's health, safety, and environmental protection standards. Almost 2 million people in the UK are living with vision loss. In Europe, there are an estimated 30 million blind or partially sighted people, according to the European Blind Union.
As we age, eyesight is apt to diminish. Almost 30 percent of people over 75 years are affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Macular degeneration is the most common cause of blindness in persons over 65 years of age. Currently, 196 million are affected by AMD.
On World Sight Day 2020, the UN Friends of Vision and others held the '2020 and Beyond: Accelerating Vision for Everyone.' The event was meant to raise awareness and global attention to blindness and vision impairment. Stewart Simonson presented WHO's work on vision impairment and blindness and emphasized the importance of integrated people-centered eye care for all.
Some of the most common causes of vision loss are avoidable; here are several tips for preventing vision loss. Avoiding certain behaviors and adopting a healthy diet can prevent eye disease from developing. You can also prevent existing eye problems from worsening. For instance, eye rubbing can worsen glaucoma.
Two of the most common eye disorders that affect people as they age are cataracts and glaucoma. It can be helpful to know the difference between the two eye conditions. The most common cause of vision loss is cataracts; they occur when proteins in the lens break down and stick together—obstructing vision.
A study appearing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shines a light on a breakthrough that could lead to new therapies for common eye diseases that cause vision loss and blindness. Scientists at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation discovered a compound that could lead to treatments for retinopathy of prematurity and diabetic retinopathy.
As with all things, misconceptions abound about vision loss. Some stereotypes and misperceptions can lead people living with sight loss to feel unsupported; they include but are not limited to the idea that a person using a white cane or guide dog is blind. Another stereotype is the belief that people living with vision loss can't play sports; many visually impaired people are involved in sports and exercise.
Vision loss is most closely associated with old age. However, it can impact people's lives at any age; even babies can lose their vision. New research shows that it may be possible to restore vision in the young and the old, when vision loss is due to retinopathy or when blood vessels grow out of control in the retina. Diabetic retinopathy is when blood sugar levels are out of whack, causing new blood vessels to grow in the retina.
Rupert Bourne, a Professor of Ophthalmology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), and colleagues analyzed more than 500 studies to forecast the prevalence of blindness and vision loss in the coming decades. The research predicts that blindness and severe vision loss will impact nearly 900 million people globally by 2050. Vision impairment affects 338 million people today. Professor Bourne said:
A three-year prospective study shows that cataracts were associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms in the elderly. Interestingly, the association was not found with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or glaucoma. The research, conducted at the University of Ottawa's School of Epidemiology and Public Health, did not discover the cause of depressive symptoms in elderly cataracts patients.
Botond Roska, leader of Central Visual Circuits and Human Retinal Circuit Groups, found a cure for a condition that causes blindness in 1 in 4,000 children. Roska works at the University of Basel in Switzerland. In recognition of his efforts, Roska received the Körber Prize for European Science.
COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of life, from grocery shopping to healthcare. Each day, hospitals are struggling to address the needs of tens of millions of people. Unfortunately, overburdened health care systems mean it's more challenging to access essential medical needs, such as eye health services.
The second Thursday of October is World Sight Day (October 8, 2020). The annual event was created by the SightFirst Campaign of Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) in 1998. The goal is to raise public awareness of blindness and visual impairment.
Age-related eye disorders like macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness. Diabetic eye complications, such as diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss worldwide. South Africans are facing an increasing risk of vision loss due to diabetes.
World Sight Day, Thursday October 8th, is a global event for raising blindness and vision impairment awareness. The theme of World Sight Day 2020 is "Hope In Sight." The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness wants to know when was the last time you had an eye exam? The IAPB writes:
Body: Many children are living with temporary or permanent vision loss. However, early detection can spare young people from developing severe vision problems. Knowing the signs of specific eye problems can prompt parents to act. Children exhibiting signs of vision loss should receive comprehensive eye exams to detect certain conditions before they worsen.
A team of researchers from Australia has built a bionic eye—"Gennaris." The creators say that it can reverse vision loss by using a brain implant. While the device has only been tested on sheep, scientists will begin human clinical trials soon. 
It's National Eye Health Week in the U.K. As the name suggests, the observance is about the importance of vision and receiving eye exams regularly. Early detection can prevent vision loss. In the U.K, about 2 million people are living with severe vision loss. However, around half of this population's vision loss is avoidable.
The VSP Global Premier Program will offer optometrists a free ADA-accredited virtual continuing education (CE) course on diabetes and prediabetes. Doctors with a better grasp of the risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment can help spare patients of diabetic-related blindness. 
