PBA launches new low vision program

Chicago-Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has launched a new online resource called “Living Well with Low Vision.”

The goal of the new site, Lowvision.preventblindess.org, is to make it easy 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.

The new online resource was specifically developed from the point of view of patients and patient advocates.

According to PBA, the information on the website 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 low vision loss is not an overwhelming, impossible task.

Dan Roberts, MME, a patient advocate and low vision educator, serves as editor-in-chief.

“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 chief executive officer of PBA. “Through this new . . . 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.”

Additionally, PBA has announced its 2013 Most Beautiful Eyes Contest state winners.

All state winners will receive a free pair of RKS sunglasses and a copy of the soon-to-be-released book, “Jacob’s Eye Patch,” by Beth Kobliner Shaw and Jacob Shaw.

State winners are also eligible for a $10,000 educational scholarship from Marchon Eyewear.

The photo gallery of the state winners can be found at: Preventblindness.org/2013-most-beautiful-eyes-state-contest-winners.

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