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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a visually impaired person’s eyesight cannot be corrected to a “normal level”.

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What is Vision Impairment? - Vision Awareness Training Part One

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Veterans of the US Armed Forces who are legally blind or suffering from impaired vision can get assistance from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

Programs include:

Support blind and low vision Veterans and active duty Service members in regaining their independence and quality of life to enable their successful integration into family and community life.

Support family and significant others to better understand visual impairment and foster the provision of appropriate support, to assist in enhancing home environments and to reduce caregiver burden.

he Visual Impairment Center to Optimize Remaining Sight (VICTORS) program provides rehabilitation through definitive medical diagnosis, functional vision evaluation, prescribing and training in use of low vision aids, counseling and follow-up.

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Visual Impairment Centers to Optimize Remaining Sight (VICTORS) Program

The Visual Impairment Center to Optimize Remaining Sight (VICTORS) concept was developed to complement existing inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Centers (BRCs) to care for Veterans with significant visual impairment (20/70 to 20/200 or worse visual acuity and/or significant visual field loss). The interdisciplinary VICTORS outpatient program represents a unique team approach to vision rehabilitation using the disciplines of optometry, ophthalmology, social work, psychology and low vision therapists. VICTORS provides rehabilitation through definitive medical diagnosis, functional vision evaluation, prescribing and training in use of low vision aids, counseling and follow-up.

There are currently 3 VICTORS programs:

Palo Alto, CA

Northport, New York

Lake City, Florida

Veterans interested in this program should contact the VIST Coordinator in the VA facility nearest their home.

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visual impairment centers to optimize remaining sight (victors) program

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The Visual Impairment Center to Optimize Remaining Sight (VICTORS) concept was developed to complement existing inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Centers (BRCs) to care for Veterans with significant visual impairment (20/70 to 20/200 or worse visual acuity and/or significant visual field loss).

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Globally, the leading causes of vision impairment are:

Uncorrected refractive errors

Cataract

Age-related macular degeneration

Glaucoma

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This page shows simulations of visual symptoms caused by a variety of eye disorders, from simple refractive error, to localized eye problems, to neurological problems. Please note that these simulations are generally based on the author's interpretation of symptoms described by patients, as well as on knowledge of the disease processes themselves. There may be wide variations in an individual's own visual experiences with any disease process.

Read this important information before proceeding further:

These sections are not intended to replace the professional examination and diagnosis by a physician, and they are presented here purely for informational purposes. All possible diagnoses and treatment options are not covered, and the information discussed should not be taken as a recommendation to self-diagnose and self-treat a condition. A misdiagnosed or improperly treated eye condition can result in a permanent loss of vision, or a permanent loss of function of the eye or visual system. In the case of any eye problem, seek medical attention promptly. This can include emergency room treatment, as well as treatment by a medical physician or eyecare provider.

Refractive Errors

Refractive errors are optical abnormalities in the eye that lead to improper focusing of images onto the retina. Refractive errors are generally correctable by glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. Thus, blurred vision due to refractive error alone does not cause an untreatable loss of vision (the eye is otherwise healthy). For more information on the optics of the eye and refractive error, go to Optics and Refractive Error.

This is a normal image of the Italian Gardens at Maymont Park, Richmond VA. Both the foreground and the far distance are clear. "

Nearsightedness

In this myopic (nearsighted view) of the gardens at Maymont Park, the foreground is clear but the midrange and distance become progressively blurrier.

Farsightedness

Both distance and near are blurred, but the distance is relatively clear compared to the foreground.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is usually caused by the cornea not being perfectly round in all directions, leading to different parts of an image being blurred, depending upon the orientation of the astigmatism. In this image of Capitol Square in Richmond, Virginia, the astigmatism is oriented vertically, thus there is selective blurring of vertical lines as shown in the photo.

Cataract

Clear image of the Virginia Biotechnology Center in Richmond, Virginia.

Nuclear Sclerotic Cataract

This image represents the view through a "nuclear sclerotic" type of cataract. Note that in addition to the image being blurred, it is also dim and less colorful than the normal view. The color blue is especially obscured by this common type of cataract.

Posterior Subcapsular Cataract

An infamous decorated house on Asbury Ct. in Richmond, Virginia.

The "posterior subcapsular" type of cataract often affects younger individuals, and those with diabetes or on steroids. There may be severe glare with this type of cataract, with halos and starbursts being visible from point sources of light.

Glaucoma

This is a normal view of a street with no loss of peripheral vision.

This demonstrates a common type of blind spot found early in glaucoma. If the eye is fixating down the road, the pedestrian on the right partially disappears. There is a reduction of sensitivity in the peripheral vision in the area shown within the dotted lines below.

Glaucoma, severe loss of vision

This shows a severe loss of visual field in advanced glaucoma, left eye. Only an island of central vision remains, with some field of vision toward the outside left as well. The blind spot cuts horizontally through the center of vision, an especially severe loss of vision.

Macular Degeneration

Normal view of Richmond skyline.

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This page shows simulations of visual symptoms caused by a variety of eye disorders, from simple refractive error, to localized eye problems, to neurological problems. Please note that these simulations are generally based on the author's interpretation of symptoms described by patients, as well as on knowledge of the disease processes themselves.

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Their mission is to provide education, tools and services that enable all persons with vision loss to achieve greater independence.

Services include:

1. Preschool program

2. College readiness program which helps visually impaired college-bound high-schoolers prepare for college

3. College preparation program where students live on the ASU Tempe campus for six weeks during the summer

4. Courses where students learn how to properly read and write Braille,

5. An assistive technology class that teaches students how to properly use assistive technology and how to do various tasks on computers,

6. An employment services program connects visually impaired job seekers with potential employers

Telephone Number:  (602) 331-1470

Email: INFO@SEEITOURWAY.ORG

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Check back often as our Virtual Resources are being updated daily.
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The Foundation for Blind Children was founded in 1952 by parents of blind children.

About the Foundation for Blind Children.

Back to the top of this page

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JAWS Users: We recommending using Internet Explorer as your browser. The Foundation for Blind Children was founded in 1952 by parents of blind children. About the Foundation for Blind Children. Back to the top of this page

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The Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

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The Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

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An agency providing services so that individuals with vision loss can achieve their full potential

Their mission is to facilitate independence and promote full participation in all spheres of life for those who experience vision loss

P.R.I.D.E. Program -  participants will be given comprehensive skills training in the
following areas:

1. Rehabilitation Counseling and Orientation and Adjustment to Blindness

2. Adaptive Living Skills Training

3. Orientation and Mobility Training

4. Low Vision Evaluation and Training in Use of Aids & Devices

5. Social/Leisure Skills Development

6. Career Exploration and Readiness Training

Services include: Assistive Technology, Counseling, Low Vision Services, and Rehabilitation Teaching

OFFICE: 3100 East Roosevelt Street,
Phoenix, Arizona,
85008

Telephone Number: (602) 273-7411

Email: contact@acbvi.org

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arizona center for the blind and visually impaired

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Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) Program

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Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) Program

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Program helps persons who are blind or visually impaired achieve their goals for independent living.

Services include: Rehabilitation Teaching, Orientation & Mobility, and Orientation & Adjustment to Blindness

Eligibility:

1. They are 55 years of age or older and have a significant visual impairment;

2. Their visual impairment substantially limits their ability to be independent;

3. They require OIB services in order to become or remain independent; and

4. They are able and willing to participate in OIB services.

Telephone Number: 888-282-9857

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What is the Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) Program?

The Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) program helps persons who are blind or visually impaired achieve their goals for independent living. OIB services may include Rehabilitation Teaching, Orientation & Mobility, and Orientation & Adjustment to Blindness.

Am I Eligible for the OIB Program?

You may be eligible for OIB services if you meet all of the following requirements:

1. You are 55 years of age or older and have a significant visual impairment;

2. Your visual impairment substantially limits your ability to be independent;

3. You require OIB services in order to become or remain independent; and

4. You are able and willing to participate in OIB services.

How do I apply for the OIB Program?

If you would like to speak with someone about the Older Individuals who are Blind program or start the application process, please call Toll-free 888-282-9857.

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Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) Program

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The Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) program helps persons who are blind or visually impaired achieve their goals for independent living. OIB services may include Rehabilitation Teaching, Orientation & Mobility, and Orientation & Adjustment to Blindness.