Coming out of the Dark about Vision Loss

Did you know that over 25% of Americans over the age of 75 have some
form of vision impairment and that over the age of 85, one out of three
elders suffer from low vision? Seniors often don’t realize they have
lost vision because their brains will fill the gaps in vision with the
appropriate information. In addition, some individuals with macular
degeneration have a condition called Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS)
and experience visual hallucinations. For years, many people describing
these symptoms were written off as mentally ill; now we understand that
CBS is just another part in the ongoing conversation about vision loss.

To help our community understand vision loss and what can be done, please join us for an informative session about vision loss.

The event begins with a 90-minute film, “Going Blind and Going
Forward,” by Joe Lovett, Peabody Award-winning producer/director, that
looks at each aspect of vision loss: detecting, treating, and coping.

The movie will be followed by a panel discussion with eye care
professionals and consumers providing an opportunity to talk about how
better coordination of professional services, earlier referrals, low
vision therapy, and new technologies can vastly improve the quality of
people’s lives.

A variety of products will also be available to purchase.