Feeding Our Eyes!

By June M. Lay, Lifestyle Columnist - HealthNewsDigest.com
Aug 10, 2010 - 8:43:23 AM

We feed our hunger, our appetite and most of us feed our cravings, at least once in awhile. But how often do we feed our body mainly for the purpose to nourish and protect? Okay, in other words, how many times during this past week did we consider how our food choices are connected to the function, appearance and health of our body? This week, let's discuss "Feeding Our Eyes" because they are vital to our health and happiness.

There's a saying that "Our Eyes are Our Windows to the World" (Okay, this is my version of the saying), and I think most of us would agree that our eyes are very important. Unfortunately, even those of us who were lucky enough to be born with 20/20 vision need to protect ourselves from the two most common age related eye diseases, Cataracts, and Macular Degeneration. Macular Degeneration in particular, is a disease that we can help ourselves prevent by eating those wonderful, colorful phytochemicals known as the Carotenoids!

Why? Well, the retina in our eyes contains the highest concentration of pigments in our body, which absorb the sun's rays (acting as antioxidants) and which overtime (I'm referring to the aging process unfortunately) we start to lose. [Check out Vision Dynamics' Ultraviolet and Infrared Absorbing Sunglasses] Studies have found that those of us with the lowest amount of the phyto's Leutein and Zeaxanthin circulating in our blood, have the highest rate of age-related macular degeneration. But let's not fret, we can replenish these pigments with food. Studies have also shown that people with macular degeneration have been found to have lower levels of zeaxanthin and lutein in the macula itself than people without—which supports the premise that these antioxidants provide some protection. Since our eyes are so important to us, let's think about replenishing the pigments in our eyes with nature's chemicals that are found in foods.

So, what can we eat to help keep our eyesight?
Eggs. Yes, whole eggs contain a high bio-available form of Leutein (meaning very useable by our body). One study used designer eggs with the highest amount found in the yolks, but regular supermarket eggs still contain high amounts.

Spinach. Popeye was misinformed about spinach's high iron content, (it may contain a high amount of iron, but it's not a good source of Bio-available iron) but it does contains high Bio-available amounts of these colorful carotenoids.

Vitamin C, Vitamin E. These important vitamins act as antioxidants and they are also found in our eyes in high concentrations. So, citrus fruits as well as all fresh fruits and veggies all contain Vitamin C, including once again spinach! Vitamin E is found in Spinach (Popeye was on the right track here), Broccoli, Sweet Potatoes, Avocado, Chick Peas, and the highest Bio-available forms of E (with the most calories unfortunately) are found in Soybean oil, Corn oil, Canola oil and Cashews. So, with these last few foods, let's think moderation as in 1 tablespoon?

Here's to "Feeding Our Eyes"!

Adaptive Technology Available for People with Low Vision

Have you ever felt unsafe because of your vision? Do you worry about things because you think you will be unable to do them because of low vision? Are you sad, insecure, and hopeless because of what you are right now? Think again.

The problem with low vision started ever since man began to see. Vision is one of our primary senses by which we rely almost all the time when doing things like cooking, walking, reading, playing, and other everyday activities. However, Low vision interferes so much with our daily life that it disables us from doing things the way they were done before. Worst case, Low vision cannot be adequately corrected with medical, surgical, therapy, conventional eyewear or contact lenses.

For many decades, men and women with low vision have suffered from depression, hopelessness, and insecurity due to the fact that there was no remedy available for persons with visual impairment. It was not until 1284 when Salvino D'Armate (Italy) invented the first ever wearable eye glasses.

Today, Science and Technology have advanced well enough to make life here on Earth much easier. It has also offered us a wide array of products that it can provide for us.

One of the most remarkable advancement in terms of technology is its branch called "Adaptive Technology."

Adaptive technology pertains to a wide variety of electronic items that enable an even wider variety of people with disabilities and seniors, to live independently. Many of the devices are based on computer technology. It can help you not only to restore your sight, but to restore your hope, dreams and your ability to snatch back your independence.

Some adaptive technology products are:

A Video Magnifier or Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV)

A video magnifier or closed-circuit television (CCTV) uses a video camera to display a magnified image on a monitor or television screen. Video Magnifiers are used by people with low vision to help with reading and writing difficulties caused by visual impairments. The video magnifiers we carry come in various shapes and sizes to meet any low vision need.

Optical Scanners and Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

The purpose of optical scanners and optical character recognition (OCR) software is to make print materials accessible using synthesized speech. The OCR software takes a picture of text that is on a print page, coverts it to computer text and then displays it on a screen. The text is done by the optical scanner. Some optical scanners and OCR software that are used by individuals who are blind or severely visually impaired include software that will read the document using a speech synthesizer.

Notetakers and Accessible PDAs

People without vision loss can take advantage of various types of personal data assistant (PDA) devices. Most are not useable by persons who are blind or visually impaired.

An electronic notetaker which may have a Braille or a Qwerty type keyboard is basically an adapted PDA device. Users can do the same type of tasks that a typical PDA system allows.

These activities can include:
• Taking notes
• Allowing for print or Braille output of input
• Reading e-mail
• Calculating math
• Setting a timer
• Creating calendar events
• Playing music or digital books
• Uploading or downloading information from a computer
• Playing accessible games

Because the electronic note takers are adapted for persons who are blind or visually impaired, they have built-in speech output.

Screen Reading Software

Screen Reading Software attempts to identify the visual display and provides voice output or refreshable Braille. Screen Reading Software may be stand alone or be in combination with other assistive technology, such as screen magnifiers

Screen Enlargement SoftwareSoftware

People with low vision often benefit from text, icons, menus, and graphics being enlarged. Also, some people can see better when the foreground (text) and background colors are changed. Screen enlargement software allows various magnifications of fonts, graphics, icons, and menus. Also, users can adjust colors on the screen for greater contrast.

Refreshable Braille Displays

A refreshable Braille display is a device that is added to a computer. The refreshable Braille display provides the text that is displayed on the screen in Braille. As the user moves the cursor on the page the Braille on the device is updated. A refreshable Braille display is controlled by speech output software.


Braille and Tactile Embossers

A printer takes a document and makes it print, a Braille embosser takes the document and displays the text in Braille.

Braille transcription or translation software converts literary, textbook, music, and math formats into Braille code. This code is sent to a Braille embosser or printer. While the software makes it very easy to convert text to Braille, a sighted person using Braille transcription or translation software should have a working knowledge of Braille.

For thousands of years, technology has always aimed to make us live a better life. These few things that these gadgets can do for you have helped many individuals with low vision live a very fruitful life. Some testimonials say it helped them to snatch back the independence that they thought they had lost. Right now, it has been tested and proven that these products work.

Life choices can either make or break your life. It is really important to think over the things that we need to risk in our lives each time we are making a decision. We need to take time to ask ourselves whether we need it or not. The decisions that we make from time to time should be able to help us cultivate our lives and eventually make it more fulfilling. In fact, we should bear in mind that we need to choose a decision that will make our lives better than it is currently.

Vision Dynamics Customer Donates Optelec Video Magnifier to Local Library

Record-Journal, Friday, April 16th, 2010

Donated machine is ‘manna' to library patrons

By Andrew Perlot
Record-Journal Staff

MERIDEN - There are thousands of books in the Meriden Public Library, but for some, the wealth of knowledge they contain remains an elusive blur. Or at least that was the case until Thursday, when an anonymous donor gave the library a reading magnification machine worth just under $3,000.

Looking at the machine, which was made by a Dutch company called Optelec and consists of a large flat-screen monitor, a high-tech camera and an adjustable platform for holding reading material, library Board of Directors President Joan Edgerly called it "manna from heaven."

Dave ZajacCharlie Collins, owner of Cheshire based Vision Dynamics, Charlie Collins, of Vision Dynamics demonstrates an Optelec machine given to the Meriden Public Library by an anonymous donor Wednesday. The machine helps the visually impaired read.Stick any sort of written text under the camera and a dial allows you to magnify it up to 72 times its normal size. The push of a button turns the background color of the page to black, making the text stand out in a vivid white.

Although the donor of the machine did not wish to be identified, Library Director Karen Roesler said the donor wished "for the machine to be used for the love of reading." The library has many vision-impaired patrons who struggle to read the small print in its books and magazines, Roesler said.

Although the library already has a computer equipped with a screen capable of magnifying digital text, the new machine, which will be placed near the existing computer in the library's main room, opens the world of printed text to vision-impaired readers. Roesler was contemplating ways to raise money for such a machine before she received a phone call from the donor, she said.

The machine came from Vision Dynamics in Cheshire, which specializes in products that assist the visually impaired. Vision Dynamics' owner, Charlie Collins, told the small crowd gathered at the library Thursday he was diagnosed with juvenile macular degeneration in early childhood, and is legally blind.

He spent his early years concentrating on what he couldn't do because of his impairment, and "I kind of limped through life," he said. Eventually, Collins said he started concentrating on solutions and using magnifiers and lights to be able to function in society independently.

Technology has advanced so fast in the last decade that there are technological aids that can dramatically improve the lives of the visually impaired, he said, adding that hopes library patrons will enjoy the new machine. "The sky is the limit," Collins said.

What It’s Like To Live With a Legally Blind Person

At first, I played the caretaker role which did not last long. My husband has been legally blind since age 13. I learned early on not to enable him. While driving the car, I will read funny signs out or license plates out loud. If a nice race car is approaching, I tell him so he can look when it goes by. With the great increase in technology, he is able to do so much more on his own. We have added special lighting to our home and adapted necessary items to make it more comfortable for him. The TV was hung on the wall so he could see it. Furniture is placed strategically near the TV or a certain lamp. It shows me what a precious gift it is to have eyesight, when living with a person who has legal blindness.

Book Sense: digital audio player

The Book Sense which is a digital audio player is another educational and entertaining product from GW Micro and is available at Vision Dynamics.

There are several things which I especially like about the Book Sense such as louder volume, an easy to navigate menu structure, and the choice of two voices, Kate and Paul. For work, I can download podcasts about new blindness products and record meetings. At home, I can listen to my favorite books and have already put an oldies music collection on the Book Sense.

This player will help you to access information for education and entertainment. Students can access textbooks. Business executives can stay current with professional journals. On the entertainment side, everyone will enjoy listening to their favorite novels, magazines and newspapers. The media player will allow you to download your favorite music from Apple iTunes. Weighing only four ounces, the Book Sense is portable and compact. The Book Sense XT has three additional features including FM radio, built in memory and Bluetooth capability. While doing other activities, you can have the freedom of listening to books or music without being inconvenienced by wires from headphones. The Book Sense will benefit teachers, business professionals and anyone who enjoys reading and listening to music.
If I can be of assistance to you, please feel free to contact me.


Nancy Hays
Vision Dynamics
203-271-1944

Vision Open House offered to improve the quality of life for the vision impaired.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EDITORIAL CONTACT:
Jack Sheehan
Director of Marketing
Vision Dynamics
203-271-1944
jack@visiondynamics.com


See, learn and use the latest in vision aid technology and how it can help you or someone you love.

Cheshire, CT –, 2010.

Disability Resource Center of Fairfield County, Oak Hill of Hartford and Vision Dynamics of Cheshire are combining to present a Vision Open House on Tuesday March 30, 2010 at 11:00 AM. It will be held at the DRC, 80 Ferry Boulevard, Suite 210, Stratford, CT 06615.

This will be a presentation of the latest in vision aid technology by Charlie Collins of Vision Dynamics followed by a hands-on session providing personal experience to explain the life changing opportunities now available. “Nothing pleases me more than showing other people how easy one can use these aids to help them regain their freedom and independence.” said Charlie. “We will be demonstrating the newest in Video Magnifiers, handheld magnifiers, daily living aids, time products, lighting and sunglasses. We will also have some of the old low-tech favorites that remain basic to everyday needs.”

Stephanie Mastrolillo and Fran Sinish will represent DRCFC, Steve Famiglietti will represent Oak Hill. “We really are excited to have this open house and use this format to help change the lives of our consumers.” said Stephanie. “We look forward to seeing all our old friends and hopefully many new friends too.” added Fran. Steve added “I have seen many of Charlie’s presentations and each one is helpful to all who attend. Please bring your friends.”

The Disability Resource Center of Fairfield County is a cross-disability resource and advocacy organization for people with disabilities. Its basic values are Consumer primacy, empowerment and the independent living philosophy in which the focus lies in the belief that the issues of dependence and access lie not with the individual, but with the community’s attitudinal and architectural barriers. Thus, the work of Centers for Independent Living is directed primarily at advocating for the removal of physical and psychological barriers and assisting consumers in dealing with those barriers.

Oak Hill helps people with disabilities experience rich, fulfilling lives in communities throughout Connecticut. Through education, assistive technology, programs and advocacy, providing support at every stage of life along with a robust array of services to those people who work with, live with and care for people challenged by disabilities.

Charlie Collins, owner and founder of Vision Dynamics has supported both local agencies for many years providing information, education and training in the latest technology advances in vision aids.” We are happy to be available as part of the great work these agencies do for the local visually impaired community.” adds Charlie. “Many of our staff is visually impaired and we know what is important these people and to their care-givers.

Vision Dynamics is Southern New England’s premier company serving the needs of the Low Vision and Blind population. Its mission is to empower and inspire people with low vision, blindness, and learning difficulties with the hope, desire and ability to lead happy and independent lives. Discover more at VisionDynamics.com

Proper lighting is the most important aspect of preserving eyesight

According to a video on OttLite’s web site the Disney Corporation asked OttLite founder, Dr. John Nash Ott, to time-lapse film the growth of a pumpkin. It was to be used in the animation of the pumpkin that turns into a coach for the picture “Cinderella”. Unfortunately the pumpkin did not mature. Dr. Ott realized that the lights used for filming were too hot and they dried the plant and it died. He then created a lamp that provided natural daylight without the harmful effects of excessive heat. That led to the healthy, full spectrum lights that we have today.

OttLite today offers full spectrum lighting, natural daylight lamps. Vision Dynamics now offers their new lamps, all using OttLite™ Illumination, with 508™ Technology. They are not luxury items but cannot be found in mass market stores. They are professional grade lamps available to the consumer in select stores and medical offices. They are available as floor lamps , desk and table lamps, portable, specialty, and magnification lamps.

Proper lighting is the most important aspect of preserving eyesight and it is one that we can all easily make use of without breaking our budgets. Everyone should and can protect their present eyesight in every way possible. Being legally blind since childhood, I am keenly aware of the need for conserving the eyesight you have right now. There is no easier way to start doing that than by using the best light available for all the things you love to do. Light up your home or office, use them for reading or craft work. They will even help your plants!

I have always provided easy solutions to our clients and adding these new products is another step in that direction. Give your eyes a break! They’ll love you for it.


Charlie Collins