Tag Archive

Eye and Health Care

Resources in the Community

Resources for Veterans

In honor of  Veteran’s Day, the LightHouse wants to remind returning veterans who are new to blindness or aging veterans who may be experiencing decreased vision that the San Francisco Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center offers comprehensive services for regaining independence.

The Visual Impairment Services Team Program (VIST) at the VA assists veterans with mobility and adaptive technology training, as well ass offering classes in daily living skills and counseling sessions.

Referrals can be submitted by the Veteran, family, health care professional, or other concerned individuals. For more information contact:

Phone: (415) 221-4810 x2813
Email: lila.jaffray@va.gov

LightHouse News

Macular Degeneration: Vision Education Seminar

Join us today as the LightHouse hosts the “Be Informed” Vision Education Seminar on Macular Degeneration.

Click here to listen via web streaming , or visit http://www.lbvi.staging.wpengine.com.com/listen.m3u. The call in conference number is 888-275-8713, guest code 258

Dr. Robert Greer, O.D. and Chief of Low Vision at the UC Berkeley Low Vision Clinic will be joined by Dr. Shirin Barez MD, Ophthalmologist and faculty at UC Berkeley School of Optometry; Dr. Marlena Chu O.D. and panel of LightHouse Vision Rehabilitation Specialists and peers with macular degeneration. Together they will discuss the implications of macular degeneration, current treatments, and benefits of a low vision evaluation and training.

LightHouse News

Macular Degeneration Vision Education Seminar

Come learn about recent advances in Macular Degeneration therapies with Dr. Robert Greer, O.D., Chief of Low Vision at UC Berkeley Low Vision Clinic, on Friday, September 24 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

Join Dr. Greer and a panel that will discuss current treatment options, the importance of a low vision exam, and most importantly, the options and choices available for moving forward and living as independently as you wish!

Join us in person, listen via toll-free conference call or participate through live stream at http://bit.ly/lhlive. You must register for this seminar. Please call the LightHouse at 415-694-7326 or RSVP to rsvp@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Welcome Medical Community Friends!

The LightHouse is proud to partner with top-notch ophthalmologists and other physicians, scientists and specialists who have joined our Medical Community Friends of the LightHouse Committee. These dedicated practitioners will assist us in strengthening our programs while helping to spread the word about the LightHouse.

The kick-off of the committee, which took place on July 29, coincided closely with the reinstatement of MediCal coverage for low vision exams. Effective July 26, MediCal will allow coverage for individuals to have a low vision exam once every two years. The LightHouse will begin booking low vision clinic appointments for MediCal patients in late August. Patients who visit our clinic benefit from immediate follow-up with a Low Vision Specialist who provides demonstrations of adaptive aids and products; connection to LightHouse services, including interactive seminars on low- and high-tech devices, orientation and mobility training and peer-led support groups; community-building with others who are experiencing loss of vision; and access to Adaptations, an on-site retail store with highly trained customer service specialists who are users themselves of many of our products.

For more information about low vision exams at the LightHouse call (415) 694-7318. For a full listing of our Medical Community Friends of the LightHouse, visit http://bit.ly/aMvOor .

Resources in the Community

Podcast: I'm Not Blind, But I Can't See, Low Vision Seminar with UC Berkeley's Dr. Robert Greer

1 Commenton Podcast: I'm Not Blind, But I Can't See, Low Vision Seminar with UC Berkeley's Dr. Robert Greer

Podcast of low vision semianr a thte LightHouse on July 23, 2010, presented by Dr. Robert Greer.

I’m Not Blind, But I Can’t See:

How a Low Vision Examination Can Maximize Your Useable Vision

This seminar is part one of the Be Informed: Making Choices to Move Forward vision education seminars for older adults (ages 55 and over). These seminars are designed for people who are experiencing life changes and challenges because of a significant decrease in vision, and will highlight options for daily living that can assist you in moving forward as you adjust to your changing vision.

What is the difference between a low vision examination and eye health care treatment provided by an ophthalmologist? Why might a low vision examination be right for you right now?

Join Dr. Robert Greer, O.D., Chief of Low Vision at the UC Berkeley Low Vision Clinic as he engages the audience in dialogue about how the supportive and practical benefits of a low vision evaluation can make all the difference in maximizing your useable vision and enhancing your independence.

Resources in the Community

Podcast: I’m Not Blind, But I Can’t See, Low Vision Seminar with UC Berkeley’s Dr. Robert Greer

1 Commenton Podcast: I’m Not Blind, But I Can’t See, Low Vision Seminar with UC Berkeley’s Dr. Robert Greer

Podcast of low vision semianr a thte LightHouse on July 23, 2010, presented by Dr. Robert Greer.

I’m Not Blind, But I Can’t See:

How a Low Vision Examination Can Maximize Your Useable Vision

This seminar is part one of the Be Informed: Making Choices to Move Forward vision education seminars for older adults (ages 55 and over). These seminars are designed for people who are experiencing life changes and challenges because of a significant decrease in vision, and will highlight options for daily living that can assist you in moving forward as you adjust to your changing vision.

What is the difference between a low vision examination and eye health care treatment provided by an ophthalmologist? Why might a low vision examination be right for you right now?

Join Dr. Robert Greer, O.D., Chief of Low Vision at the UC Berkeley Low Vision Clinic as he engages the audience in dialogue about how the supportive and practical benefits of a low vision evaluation can make all the difference in maximizing your useable vision and enhancing your independence.

Resources in the Community

Macular Degeneration Study at UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute

8 Commentson Macular Degeneration Study at UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute

The Jules Stein Eye Institute at University of California, Los Angeles is seeking clinical research volunteers. Dr. Michael B. Gorin is conducting a nationwide study of genetic and other risk factors that contribute to the development of age-related macular degeneration (also known as Age-Related Maculopathy). Individuals or members of their family may be eligible to participate in this observational study (this is not a treatment trial) which does not require that individuals travel to UCLA, but allows individuals to participate through a confidential and secure website. Individuals will be required to give 1 saliva sample or have their blood drawn (20 ml). Photographs of the retina will be covered by the study.

The study is looking for:
1. Individuals from 49 to 65 years old who have/had a least one parent with macular degeneration. Spouses or partners will be included.
2. The parent(s) who have Age-Related Macular degeneration or have a first-degree relative with the disease (siblings).

If an individual wishes to learn more about this study, they can go to the following website and read about the study with complete anonymity (and even send questions to the research coordinators).

https://jseiclinres.jsei.ucla.edu/garm/

Call Dr. Michael B. Gorin or a research coordinator at 1-800-286-8581 for more information.

Resources in the Community

National Resource Directory for Veterans is New and Improved.

Press release:

Washington, DC – The U.S. Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs, as part of their continued commitment to our Nation’s Service Members, Veterans, and their families, launched  a new and improved National Resource Directory www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov.

This free online tool provides access to thousands of services, programs and resources at the national, state and community level.  The Web site has a fresh look with many key features that include an improved search engine, Really Simple Syndication (RSS) news feeds, subscriptions to e-mail updates, and new subject areas such as “Homeless Assistance.”

The National Resource Directory is designed to serve a broad base of users including transitioning Service Members, Veterans, Wounded Warriors, and their families and caregivers.  In addition, it is a useful tool for service providers who support Veterans and Service Members, such as Department of Defense Recovery Care Coordinators and AW2 Advocates, Veterans Affairs Federal Recovery Coordinators, health care providers and case managers at Veterans Service Organizations.

Resources in the Community

Live web chat on the Affordable Care Act for persons with disabilities. May 20.

Do you have a disability or have someone close to you who does? Do you wonder if and how the Affordable Care Act can really help you? On May 20 at 1:00 p.m. EDT White House and Department of Health & Human Services’ officials will be taking your questions about how the Affordable Care Act will benefit people with disabilities. Join the Web Chat this coming Thursday at www.hhs.gov/live. Send your questions to healthreform@hhs.gov and as many as possible will be answered during this Web Chat.

LightHouse News, Resources in the Community

This Saturday, join the LightHouse at a FREE RESOURCE FAIR for OLDER ADULTS and caregivers.

Saturday, May 8, 12:00–4:30 p.m.

San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102-4733
(415) 557-4400

The fair will be an informative and entertaining afternoon that will give attendees the chance to learn about programs, services and volunteer opportunities offered by San Francisco institutions. The fair will be peppered with bursts of live music, prizes and other fun activities. Among the topics offered are medical and financial information, educational opportunities, residential and environmental programs, and culture and leisure activities.

In addition, free hearing screenings will be offered by the Hearing and Speech Center of Northern California. Other medical screenings will also be offered. The LightHouse will have a representative on hand to talk about our services and Ed/Rec programs.

This is a “Library Wise Up!” program for learning and living well at any age.