Low vision challenges, screening, tools and support for both the young and old

Kathleen Anderson

I am a proud member of the Olympia Host Lions Club. There are many reasons I am proud to belong to this special group of people, but for me, the most important one deals with helping our community members with low vision. I think most people have a good idea of the challenges blindness entails, but low vision is a horse of a different color.

The Olympia Host Lions Club Foundation operates a visual aid program without income or time limits. Visual aids are loaned to our community neighbors to enhance their quality of life and empower them to live life to its fullest.

If we do not have the equipment needed for your vision problem, we can refer you to a company that carries and sells everything available for low vision.

Formerly known as the Corbin Low Vision Resource Center, the Lions Low Vision Resource Center is operated entirely by volunteers belonging to the Lions Clubs throughout District 19N, under the auspices of the Olympia Host Lions Foundation.

We also offer educational opportunities for those with low vision by referrals to the Hope Vision Foundation and Washington State Department for the Blind and introductions and training on phone apps designed to read-aloud information on labels, prescriptions, and other helpful options.

In addition, the South Sound Senior Center offers a monthly low vision support group, that meets the second Monday of every month. Members of this group come together to share their ‘finds’, contacts, experiences, and information helpful to their everyday living needs.

What is Low Vision?

According to the National Eye Institute, low vision is defined as a visual impairment that cannot be corrected by standard eyeglasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery.

 A person with low vision must learn to adjust to it.

The most common causes of low vision are age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Low vision can include blind spots, poor night vision, and blurry sight.

Treatment options will depend on the specific eye condition that caused your low vision. Eyeglasses, medicine, and surgery can’t usually cure low vision — but sometimes they can improve vision, help you do everyday activities more easily, or keep your vision from getting worse. Vision aids and vision rehabilitation are also common treatment options.

Over 4000 residents in Thurston County suffer from low vision. This affects not only their day to day living at home, but things like navigating transportation, shopping, medication dosages and more.

The little girl with glasses is drawing on a white surface.

Can children have low vision too?

Childhood low vision refers to vision impairment in a person under 21 that cannot be corrected by medical or surgical treatments or conventional eyeglasses. A child can be born with low vision (congenital) or suffer vision loss during childhood. Vision loss can be caused by disease or damage to the eye or visual areas of the brain.

Low vision may not be suspected in a child because the symptoms may be attributed to other physical or genetic conditions. All children whose development is atypical should see an eye doctor with experience in assessing and treating children’s vision as soon as parents or guardians suspect a delay. Regular medical eye exams by an ophthalmologist are important to diagnose eye diseases early. It is essential to identify conditions that are treatable.

For decades, Lions’ clubs nationwide have offered school children free visual screenings.

Having low vision does not mean children cannot learn, but it may mean they need to learn in a different way. A child with low vision may need vision-enhancing devices, changes to the classroom, or teaching modified to fit their needs. Services include early intervention for children under 3, occupational therapy, and teachers of students with visual impairment (TVI) for school-aged children. These resources can help children succeed in the classroom and promote their independence.

While the Olympia Host Lions Foundation does not charge for their equipment, they do accept donations and fundraise. One of their most successful efforts is the sale of apples, supported by most of the Lions Clubs in our district.

Orders are now being taken for 20 lbs. of apples for 45.00. Funds raised by apple sales also support other efforts to donate to the community, like the Thurston County Food Bank, childhood diabetes and cancer, the environment and more.

The Lions Low Vision Resource Center is open by appointment on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Appointments can be made by calling 360-790-8667 and is located at 2600 Martin Way E. in Olympia.

For more information, click on the link.

Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week from her home in Olympia.  Contact her at  kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comment below.