GLARE CONTROL

I have to wear sunglasses even on sunny days. Read below about protecting your vision with outdoors.

 

Photophobia or extreme sensitivity to light and glare can be a severe problem for many low vision patients. Many eye diseases create intraocular light scatter that can significantly reduce effective vision. The eyes become hypersensitive to what the normal eye sees only as moderate glare. The shorter wavelength, high-energy part of the visible spectrum dominates daylight and is a contributor to glare. Glare can be a problem both indoors and outdoors.

Patients complain of intense light sensitivity and hazy vision. Visual function is impaired by glare and loss of contrast. To effectively improve a person’s vision, problems with glare need to be addressed when glasses or other low vision ads are prescribed. Special tints will also increase contrast sense which will also increase visual acuity.

There are a large variety of tints or filters with varying degrees of light transmission and contrast enhancement. The glasses can be pre-made to be worn alone or over the patient's current eyeglasses. They can also be custom-made with the patients prescription. Wellness Protection Eyewear, Polaroid lenses, Corning Glare Control Lenses, Drivewear lenses, ultra-violet (UV) coatings, anti-reflective coatings and pinhole contact lenses will all help a patient become more comfortable both indoors and outdoors. Light sensitive patient should also consider wearing frames with side shields along with hats and visors.

During your eye examination, your ViewFinder Eye Doctor will evaluate your glare sensitivity in different situations and prescribe the appropriate tint to maximize your vision and increase your comfort.

From Viewfinder

http://www.viewfinderlowvision.com/index.php?page=glare-control

CAMPING

MY MUST HAVE CAMPING GEAR

It's been two years since I've gone camping but there are many things that help a low vision person have a pleasant experience. One is camping near the bathroom. Here are my must have items.cam

First-Up rope light. You can clip them to a 10 x 10 sports tent too. They come in 12' for $7.88 and 39' for $15.88 at Wal-Mart.

Ozark Trail LED 24 tent light for $6.88 at Wal-Mart. I keep this light hanging in a small closet in my bedroom.

I have one with three lights. I found some on Amazon for under $2.04. Hands Free "Clip On" light for fishing.

These cute flashlights are at Farmer's Tractor Supply for $1.99 each. By Metrix 9-LED. Comes in three colors.

Riverbank California Area's Visually Impaired Participate In Annual Run

By JOHN BRANCH

Wearing dark shades and holding the white cane that denotes the blind, Mauricio Molina of Modesto was staffing the booth for the Vision Impaired Persons Support (VIPS) group at Saturday's fundraising run in Riverbank.

Molina did not participate in this year's event but did take part in the first VIPS run/walk three years ago when his sight was already deteriorating. He was willing to talk about how it feels to run when you can't see very well.

"I have a disease called retinitis pigmentosa that will cause me to go totally blind eventually," he said. "I was a postal worker for 15 years. Now I work at the VIPS support center in Modesto teaching others who are visually impaired how to manage in daily life."

Riverbank optometrist Dr. Brian Elliot, who served on the planning commission here for many years and has offices both here and in Modesto, helped start the VIPS group and organized Saturday's event with the help of the ShadowChase Running Club of Modesto.

More than 250 runners and walkers took part in the event that started from the Galaxy Theater and followed Jackson Avenue north into the River Heights residential area. Elliott said there were half a dozen participants who were visually impaired taking part in Saturday's run.

"I realized maybe I should stop when I came dangerously close to some trash cans when training," Molina said of not currently putting on the running shoes. "But I'd like to try it again, next year maybe. I'd probably have to run with a sighted person."

The totally or the partially blind can run beside a sighted person, some of them touching an upper arm, some of them holding a baton between them so they are connected but don't bump into each other, said Elliott.

It still takes a lot of courage and trust.

Very often the visually impaired runners are former athletes, who can't give up the idea of competing.

They vary in how much they can see from very low vision to legal blindness, Elliott added.

The annual run has both a 5K and a 10K course. Most of the vision impaired opt to take on the 5K with a sighted guide.

VIPS is a non-profit corporation that opened a facility in downtown Modesto in 2005. It has a computer lab for assistive technology instruction (like handling computers), a full kitchen and laundry area for independent living skills training and a conference room for Braille instruction and other meetings.

VIPS became a vendor for the California Department of Rehabilitation in 2009 and for the Veterans Administration in June of this year. There is a scholarship fund for those who do not qualify with DOR or the VA and need financial assistance.

VIPS' web site is www.vhips.com and the telephone number 522-8477.

Over one million Americans aged 40 and over are blind and an additional 2.4 million are visually impaired with those numbers expected to double over the next 30 years as the baby boomer generation ages, according to VIPS statistics.

Mauricio Molina of Modesto ran in the first Vision Impaired Persons Support (VIPS) fundraising event three years ago when he was already losing his sight. Since then his sight has deteriorated but he has become program director for the support group based in Modesto and was staffing its table at Saturday�s walk and run in Riverbank. JOHN BRANCH/THE NEWS

TRUSTING AND BEING TRUSTED

I love camp so much. I’m so glad I’m here again! Are the same horses here this year? Is Amanda back? What cabin am I staying in? Who’s my counselor?” The excited questions poured from Susan’s lips in an unstoppable waterfall of syllables. This was my first year working at summer camp, and I could already tell that our week of camp for
people who are blind would be like nothing I had experienced.
“The horses are here,” I jumped in at her next pause to come up for air, “and most of them are the same ones that were here last year. Amanda got married this summer, so
she’s not working here anymore. And as soon as we get over to the registration table, we’ll find out where you’re staying and who your counselor will be. I’m glad you’re back too.” I tried to think back through the menagerie of questions to see if I’d forgotten any.
“Goody!” Susan clapped her hands and reached for my elbow. “Let’s go!” As we walked, I marveled at the energy and sheer joy emanating from Susan’s face.


“GET THE CARROTS”
Down at the barn the next morning, I finished tacking up our smallest horse, Ranger. “You be good this week,” I whispered in his fuzzy butterscotch ear. “No more kicking. I mean it.” Ranger turned to eye me, then the saddle, and then resumed munching his breakfast. Shawndra, barn director and worrier extraordinaire, flew past me and into the office. “They’re coming,” she called out. “Get the carrots.” I headed out of the barn and into the corral to greet the campers. Some were chatting nervously about that one time, when
that one horse did that one thing, and now they don’t like any horses. At all. Others were nearly bouncing, telling the aides that they wanted to ride the same one as last year. Was it Abraham? Or Isaac? No, it must have been Jacob. Who is the brown one again? One of
the assistant counselors quieted the group as I neared them.
“Hey, everyone, welcome to the barn,” I said. “Is everybody ready to meet some horses?” The little group burst into a new cacophony of “all rights,” “yeahs,” and “no ways.” Okay, who wants to get on up first?” Shawndra smiled nervously, and I wondered
how she had avoided a heart attack in the four years she had been running the barn. “Me! Me, oh, me!” I knew Susan’s voice before I could find her in the group. I helped her to Lida Rose, one of our veteran camp horses, and prepared to watch the magic that
was sure to ensue between her and old Rosie. With Shawndra’s help, we lifted Susan’s leg up to the stirrup of Rosie’s saddle. “Okay, now lean forward and take a big jump up. But remember to be gentle when you sit down.” I took Susan’s hand and began to
help her mount. Instead of leaning forward, however, she leaned back from the horse and jerked her arm around. Rosie started at the sudden motion and skittered a few inches the other direction.


“I WANT TO GET DOWN!”
“No! I want to get down. I want to get down!”Susan’s foot was out of the stirrup in a fragment of the time it had taken to get it up there. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Shawndra
flitted to Susan’s side like a mother hummingbird. Susan lunged backward until she hit the barn wall, then crumpled into a heap on the ground. “I don’t want to ride. I want to go back to
my cabin.” Tears fl owed. I sat in the dirt beside Susan and motioned for Shawndra to keep going with the other campers. “I thought you liked horses,” I said after a minute. “No. They’re mean to me. They scare me.” “Rosie didn’t mean to scare you. She just got a little scared too. Horses don’t like sudden movements.” “Neither do I,” Susan muttered. She was calming down considerably, and I thought we might be able to give it another shot. “Let’s just go talk to Rosie.”
“No, I don’t like her.” “Really? I thought you liked all the horses . . .” “I do. But not her. I don’t trust her.” “Why not? She was scared, just like you. You know, horses can tell what people feel. Maybe she could tell that you don’t trust her. Maybe that convinced her not to trust you.” Susan looked in the direction of the big horse, who was snoozing on her loose lead rope, lower lip hanging loosely in relaxation. “I want her to trust me. Can I just pet her?” “Of course.” Susan slowly stood, and we approached Rosie’s neck. The horse reveled in the pats and coos that followed. A few minutes later,
Susan was ready to try again. At first, Susan and Rosie walked slowly
around the corral. Both horse and rider were calm. “Look! She trusts me,” Susan called out. “Yep. Do you trust her?” “Yeah! See?” Susan dropped the reins, leaned down, and wrapped her arms around the horse’s neck. “Uhmm, maybe you shouldn’t trust her that
much.” I grinned and grabbed the dragging reins as we headed out of the corral and onto the trail.


Lifeglow September - October 2010, Vol. 27, No. 5

A WEEKEND OF WALKING

A few weeks ago I posted that I fell going to my son's football game, since then I have carried my cane in my purse. I have gone to several football and soccer games without any problems. I know my husband fells better now that I have a cane. He even parked in the back of the parking lot last night. In July we traveled out of town to see family and that is the last time I have seen my handicap tag for my car. Now every state issues one per person with your photo on it. You have to be a passenger in the car if you use it. This will keep people from abusing the privilege of using them. Today I went to a huge outdoor craft show which is usually set up in the grass. I had my cane and tennis shoes ready for the walk. I was happy to see they moved the booths to the streets. I only used my cane in the crowded areas. My oldest son questioned the fact that I needed a cane at the football game. My husband told him no she does need it because it is the universal sign that she's blind but my response was it tells everyone to get out of my way. Now I don't need to worry about falling and can enjoy the rest of the football and soccer season.

Determination and drive Champion blind golfer stacks up another win

BRIAN MACLEOD STEPS toward the tee. He takes a practice swing, and in seconds his Callaway ball is soaring some 230 yards.
"First one was good, right?" he says to his friend Andy Crowe.
Then the two jump into their golf cart and head to the next shot, chattering about which iron they’ll choose for MacLeod’s approach.
It’s Tuesday, and MacLeod, 52, is relaxed in the morning sun at the Mountain Golf and Country Club outside Truro.
He has every reason to be — he’s just returned to Truro with a coveted U.S. golf championship won at Columbus, Ga.
But his success differs from that of the others who play alongside him — because he can’t see.
"Sometimes I forget he’s blind," says Crowe, who’s been coaching MacLeod since 2003.
Since then, MacLeod has won enough tournaments to become one of the top five blind golfers in the world.
Crowe has travelled with MacLeod to Japan and to the United States, lining up the sweet shots that have helped take his friend to multiple victories. Along the way, other friends, including MacLeod’s wife Joanne and Kevin Lemmon, have also taken on coaching roles.
"It’s the ultimate team sport," MacLeod says.
"(Crowe) lines them up. I just hit the ball."
MacLeod defers to Crowe’s setup and advisory chats at the tees.
"You’re only as good as your coach," he says.
Before MacLeod’s win at the U.S. Blind Open last week, he took home the trophy at the Canadian Blind Open on Aug. 17 at his home Mountain course.
MacLeod’s odyssey from perfect vision to blindness began in 1988 when he was struck in the right eye with a puck while playing pickup hockey with pals. There was bleeding but he didn’t think it was that serious and he finished the game. It would turn out to be his last.
Turns out, the bleeding was behind his eyeball and he’d detached his retina, losing his sight in that eye.
Within weeks, MacLeod, then 29, returned to his job at a propane company in Truro. But then he hit his left eye on the corner of a wooden shelf while checking a serial number on a barbecue. He’d suffered a second detached retina, robbing him of his vision in that eye.
He had surgery in Halifax and regained partial sight in both eyes. Then he was referred to Toronto in an attempt to improve his sight. Some 3½ months and many surgeries later, he totally lost what he’d gained.
"In six months, I went from 20-20 vision to totally blind," he says.
He’s never seen his daughter Sarah, who is now 23.
"That’s the biggest regret in my life."
Several years later, he dropped in to see a friend at the Truro Golf Club. His chat with the club’s pro, the late Jim Crowdis, would change everything.
"Jim was the man who told me that, ‘Brian, you can still play.’ I said, ‘Jim, I’m totally blind, I can’t see, so how can I play?’ "
Crowdis told him to keep his front arm straight, so the club would always return to the ball.
By 1997, MacLeod was back in the game, with more passion than before, and he credits his victories and the awards he’s won to his determination, which includes taking shots into a net in his garage in winter.
"I’ve probably got more out of golfing blind than sighted," he says. "It’s become everything to me. Don’t let anyone ever tell you you can’t do it."
And he’s glad he didn’t let anyone or anything get in his way.
Back at the Mountain course Tuesday, he and Crowe are already at the seventh tee. He says other golfers are often shocked that he and Crowe can play 18 holes in about four hours, about the same time it takes many sighted golfers.
MacLeod, whose best score at Mountain is 86, doesn’t think he plays differently from a sighted golfer.
"I think I’m a golfer that’s blind," he says.
There are a couple of different rules, though. Blind golfers are allowed to ground their clubs in a hazard, for example, and their coaches are permitted to stand behind to follow the flight of the ball. But that’s it.
"I play with sighted golfers all the time," MacLeod says.
On the seventh green, he and Crowe count out the yards to the hole, taking yard-long paces while each holds on to one end of MacLeod’s club, so the golfer will have an idea of how far away his ball is from the cup.
"I read the break with my feet," he says.
"What’s the idea here, Andy?" MacLeod asks his coach.
"Smooth and easy, there’s nothing fancy here," Crowe replies.
MacLeod strikes the ball.
"Good, good shot!" Crowe says.
MacLeod already knows.
"I can tell by the sound of the clubhead," he says.
Half of this course was designed and added after MacLeod lost his sight, but he’s as familiar with the terrain as if he could see it himself.
"I can see it in my mind’s eye," he says. "In my mind, I can see every hole."
At other courses, he relies on Crowe to set up the scene.
"I get Andy to describe everything to me. He paints the picture. I like to get a picture in my mind."
MacLeod is set on winning the world blind golf championship at the Truro Golf Club next year.
He has been the runner-up twice but has never won the world title.
There are no big purses in blind golf like those won by the Rory McIlroys and Phil Mickelsons of the world. Except for free equipment from Callaway, MacLeod, who pays his own way to tournaments, has to be satisfied with winning a trophy.
But there’s another reward, like the one he hears on the seventh green when his nine-foot putt drops into the hole for a par.
"Love that sound," he says. "That’s just the best sound out there."

•Has won 46 of 71 tournaments, aims to win his 50th before playing in his 80th.
•Won the U.S. Blind Open in 2005 and again last month.
•Won the Canadian Blind Open in 2004 and 2008 and again last month.
•Has won the North American Match Play Championship three times.
•Has won the Canadian Blind Championship nine times.

HUNTING ISLAND LOGGERHEAD TURTLES

The Hunting Island beach is a nesting ground for the Loggerhead turtle. Loggerhead turtles born on Hunting Island will return to this beach to lay their own eggs. There are rules we all must follow to help protect the nesting grounds and to ensure the Loggerhead continue to survive their native environment.

The Nesting Cycle
Sometime around mid-May, female Loggerhead turtles begin to drag their huge bodies up onto the beach. This usually occurs at night or in the early morning. Once a female has found her desired nesting spot, she will dig a hole using her back flippers. She will lay about 100 - 160 eggs into the hole and when done, she will cover the hole with sand, again using her back flippers. She then will return to the ocean and will not return until her next nesting season. If you should find a nest, it is important NOT to disturb it.

If the nest looks new or is damaged, please report it to a ranger.

The Hatching
The eggs begin to hatch, usually at night and during a low tide, and the new baby turtles scamper to the sea. Many birds and other predators somehow know the hatching is occurring and will position themselves between the nest and sea. Artificial lights will often confuse the new turtles making them head for the light rather than the sea, usually with fatal results. This is why artificial lights are prohibited on the beach at night during nesting season. It is illegal to touch, handle or pick up a baby turtle unless certified. You can however assist a baby by walking with it to the sea.

WHAT A WEEKEND

The past few weeks have been very busy I haven't had time to post. Two events happened this weekend that I don't ever want to experience again.

My son had a high school football game out of town Friday night. After enjoying out with family and friends we headed to the field. I was more worried about rain than getting around that I brought my umbrella instead of my cane. The game was at a large public stadium with a security station like an airport. I was the last one to go through the metal detector. Everyone with me had gone ahead. As I was walking I could see that the field was designed in the bottom of the hill.  I took about four steps then noticed there was a "slop" ahead. At that point I thought the two metal bands in the concrete indicated steps. I stepped forward and before I knew it I was tumbling downward. The metal band was in the middle of the two steps instead of at the end. My family and the staff ran to help me "up" on my feet. My husband said "give her a few a few minutes". He was right I was still in shock. At times I feel self-conscious of having to carry a cane since I can see some out of the left eye but this is the last time I will leave it at home when I'm somewhere I haven't been before.  After a few minutes I was ready to watch the game. My son's team won the game and he scored 4 point as kicker.

Saturday we were at our local soccer tournament. I took my cane this time.  I did need it out at the field because we had to park by the woods. Sunday we were at soccer again. I also had my cane. We were watching the first game from the side line. It was almost half time. I had a hat on to protect my eyes from the sun because the were burning from all the sun and dust from the day before. I even used an ice pack the night before. As I was watching the game I saw something to my right / blind side. What I heard next was swoosh, pop and crunch as the soccer ball hit my face, eye and nose. My sweet husband came to  my rescue again. He ran to the first aid tent for a bag of ice. Someone handed me some Advil. The rest of the game I sat with a bag of ice on my face. The poor boy that kick the ball did apologize to me. For the next game and the rest of the season I'll be sitting at least six feet away from the side line.  

What an exciting weekend. 

PROTECT YOUR EYES FROM THE SUN PART1

How Can UV Rays Damage Your Eyes?

---

What are the dangers of UV rays?

There are two types of UV rays: 

UV-A and UV-B.

UV-A can hurt your central vision. It can damage the macula, a part of the retina at the back of your eye.

UV-B
The front part of your eye (the cornea and the lens) absorbs most UV-B rays, but these rays may cause even more damage to your eyes than UV-A rays.

What eye problems can UV rays cause?

Over time, the effects of UV rays may help cause a number of eye problems.

Macular Degeneration

UV rays may lead to macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss for older Americans.

Cataract

UV rays, especially UV-B rays, may also cause some kinds of cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, the part of the eye that focuses the light we see.

 Pterygium

  

Another UV-related problem is a growth called pterygium. This growth begins on the white of the eye and may involve the cornea. Eventually, the growth may block vision. It is more common in people who work outside in the sun and wind.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer around the eyelids is also linked to prolonged UV exposure.

Corneal Sunburn

Corneal sunburn, called photokeratitis, is the result of high short-term exposure to UV-B rays. Long hours at the beach or skiing without proper eye protection can cause this problem. It can be very painful and may cause temporary vision loss.

The UV Learning Center is made possible by a grant through the Transitions® Healthy Sight for Life Fund. 

To learn more about the steps that can be taken to enhance and protect vision, visit www.HealthySightforLife.org.

MY MUST HAVE CAMPING GEAR

First-Up rope light. You can clip them to a 10 x 10 sports tent too. They come in 12' for $7.88 and 39' for $15.88 at Wal-Mart.

Ozark Trail LED 24 tent light for $6.88 at Wal-Mart. I keep this light hanging in a small closet in my bedroom.

I have one with three lights. I found some on Amazon for under $2.04. Hands Free "Clip On" light for fishing.

These cute flashlights are at Farmer's Tractor Supply for $1.99 each. By Metrix 9-LED. Comes in three colors.

CAMPING

We went on our annual camping trip to Hunting Island, SC. It's a great state park. This is our fifth trip with the Steele family. This was my first year with my cane. We arrived Friday night. My son took me to the bathroom. Later that night I went by myself. After I left the bathroom I headed to our spot. I was wondering up and down the street with my cane. Someone asked if I needed help. Well she startled me. I asked her what spots were on the road. I don't' know why I asked that. I didn't even know our number. I decided to go back to the bathrooms and start over. I realized I took a right out of the bathroom instead of a left. I was on the wrong street when I got lost. I was happy I had my cane. Last year while I was walking back to our campsite some woman startled me while she was whipping by on her golf-cart from the rear. I tripped off the asphalt spread eagle on the ground. I was not happy. We went to Edisto State Park three years ago, never to return there again. They don't have street signs like Hunting Island and the beach is across the highway from the campground plus they gave us a spot with a tree right in the middle. I kept tripping over the tree roots. I remember the first year we camped at Hunting Island I wanted to put my eye drops in so I asked my husband for the flashlight. For some reason he didn't pack one - WHAT was he thinking. Two years ago I bought I rope light you plug in to light the walkway. That was a great buy for $13. This year I bought two flashlight for myself. A friend gave me a light that clips to my cap so I had that with me. I also have a LCD tent light to hang inside the tent. Camping is fun but I can only handle one trip a year. The best part of the trip this year was finding tons of big seashells.

GARDENING TIPS

Gardening Tips

Are you planning to work in the garden this summer? Here are some tips that visually impaired gardeners have found helpful:

• Paint tools bright colors so they don’t blend in with soil or lawn.
• Keep track of hand tools and other items by wearing an apron with lots of pockets.
• To make certain small seeds get planted, pick up seeds with a dampened finger, rub off onto a piece of toilet paper for easy viewing, wad up the tissue, and plant it in the hole.
• Use gardening felt to minimize weeding.
• Place high-contrast borders around flower beds to avoid mowing them.
• Choose identifiable plants for garden landmarks. Geraniums and herbs can be identified by scent. Plants with large leaves or curious textures can be identified by touch.

For more ideas, visit:
www.lighthouse.org/medical/tips-for-confident-living/travel leisure/how-does-your-garden-grow.

Lifeglow May-June 2008: Vol. 25, No. 3

SNOW

Winter is here. We have snow in the south were we hardly ever get snow. I don't do will in this weather. I have a hard time walking it in and worse if it's mixed with ice but I love to watch it come down. An untouched yard of snow reminds me of how wonderful God's gift of nature is. Maybe I might step out into it.

CURB

When I'm out shopping or going to sporting events I have to walk over several type of surfaces. Most of the time I'm ok but I have fallen a few times. Once I missed a step going down. My family and friends always say "watch your step...." or "Do you see that curb?". This is a big help. Some friends have said they tell other people they are with to watch the step whether they are blind or not. It became a habit for them. For some reason my husband wants to go to the highest point in each state so I do hike some. Going up is fine but coming down is a problem. I'm much slower on the way down.