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| Sitaram, age 7, is the only son of consanguineous parents and grandson of an individual who had acute low vision. In 2005, after being examined by a number of hospitals and eye care specialists, diagnosis was confirmed to be progressively deteriorating RP, incurable and likely to lead to complete blindness in the next few years. He was advised to see Vision-Aid for a long term Rehab plan. VisionAid Vizag arranged a series of comprehensive sessions over a two-year period (2005 2007) with both the Optometrist and Rehab counselor working jointly with Sitaram. Special glasses were fitted, a telescope was prescribed for class-work, Braille tutoring was started, and Computer education program was designed to induct into early computer usage. Currently Sitaram is taking computer classes and finds it great fun to listen to the computer talk to him. The parents have purchased a computer at home and are optimistic that this will be long-term educational aid for him. |
Here are a few more profiles and case Studies to illustrate the kind of patients Vision-Aid is serving..
Please note : Each of the persons listed below has been served at the Vizag Centre supported by Vision-Aid. To
protect their privacy , only the first names of patients is used. In certain cases (marked with a * after the name), a
pseudonym has been used at the request of the patient.
7 year old Ramesh is in the IInd Grade, studying in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. His teacher observed that
he often looks away from the black board and copies class work from neighbor .Based on this feedback, his parents
took him to several eye hospitals coming eventually to the VisionAid Center in Vizag, through the referral of Visakha Eye
Hospital. The patient was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa but the Doctor also noted that the patient was
"non cooperative" - resistive to eye testing or the use of spectacles or other assistive devices.At Vision Aid
with the help of the special children's program which amongst other things uses color coded toys and attractive vision
kits that can measure the visual acuity of children while they play with the specially designed toys and kits. He was
diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa with better than 6/19 visual acuity in both eyes. He was called back formultiple
follow up sessions for evaluation and the center staff hope to succeed in gradually training him in the use of normal
spects for near vision and pocket telescopic low vision aids for distant vision in the classroom. The staff also counsels
parents to provide the needed support and monitoring and to motivate Ramesh to succeed.
Skuntala, age 3, was born with only one eye partly usable .She was referred to the Vision-Aid center by Regional
Government Eye Hospital which does not have Vision Rehabilitation facilitie. Her mother Ramulamma is a daily wage
low incomve worker , keen to keep child at home and study in a regular school instead of sending her to a blind school
as advised by the Regional Eye Hospital. After being fitted with special spectacle frame with high mag lens for the
good eye, one eye is now usable. This child is extraordinarily cheerful and cooperates with the optometrist , and with
training, is not only able to read but copy letters and numbers onto a slate or paper. This patient was treated at no cost
and provided with free optical assistive devices for near and distant viewing.
Jami , age 10, was referred to the Vision Enhancement center with a significant loss of central vision and Nystagmus.
His parents are both daily wage construction labourers in Tagarapuvalasa Village. Jami was attending the village
school but not able to cope because of his vision condition despite being apparently bright and well behaved. Jami
was referred to Vison-Aid by Sankara Eye Hospital. After due evaluation (lasting two sessions of approximately 2
hours each), Jami was fitted with a stand magnifier for reading , eye glasses for distant vision and in a follow up visit
will be trained with a monocular telescopic aid, the combination of which is helping him cope with school work more
independently.
Surya(*), age 13, was referred to the Vision Rehabilitation center with a diagnosis of early Macular Degeneration,
causing significant loss of vision in both eyes. His school (KDPM school, Vizag) was frustrated because he was
unable to see the blackboard despite being seated in the front row . Surya visited the center multiple times and after
evaluation, was trained in the use of a monocular telescope and stand magnifier. He was also trained to work with
improved lighting at home. The Center wrote to the school explaining his condition , the prescribed solutions and how
the school could assist him in using these aids and perform his work effectively. Two weeks after he returned to
school , the teacher from KDPM school wrote a letter to Vision-Aid informing that he is now able to follow the class
instructions much better. His parents have also indicated that he is able to read and perform his home-work
independently.
Ramana , a carpenter by profession came to the Vizag center from the BKPally Village, because he had lost usable
vision in both his eyes due to severe glaucoma which could no longer be treated. He was evaluated and referred to the
Rehab. Section where he is scheduled to learn skills in Basket weaving. Vision-Aid was happy to provide him free
service based on his need.
Naguraya , a senior Citizen , (age 83 years) was unable to read print (newspapers and books) because of ARMD,
despite the attempted use of conventional optical magnifiers. The evaluating optometris recommended the use of an
electronic CCTV device and provided the necessary training. His family now reports he is able to read the newspaper
and most printed matter with the help of the CCTV.
Devi(*), a middle level school teacher, age 42, and mother of two, has almost no usable vision in one eye, due to
optic nerve atrophy bur retains usable vision in the other eye. She was trained in the use of both optical and electronic
aids (like CCTV) and has reported improved ability to perform her work more effectively at home and in school . The
center offered Devi the low vision assessments at no cost.
Nikhil (age 15) and his sister Navya (age 12) suffer loss of vision due to a hereditary congenital retinal disorder. They
were prescribed with telescopic devices which could help them to see the black board better in school and trained in
the use of illuminated stand magnifiers and use of lighting to perform reading and writing tasks.
Suryanarayan, age 82, regained his ability to see distant objects with the use of spectacle mounted binoculars and
his ability to read with a pair of high diopter prismatic glasses prescribed by the Vision-Aid optometrist. He was offered
both the service and the devices completely free of cost due to his need.
Pavan age 8 ,student grade 2 picked up by the free weekly transportation service run from the local govt. Regional Eye
hospital which does not have adequate facilites to treat low vision patients. The boy was declared ad partially blind due
to premature birth which caused Optic atropophy acute myopia and the resulting poor mobility. The vision-aid center
fitted him with appropriate magnification devices and he was provided with mobility training and classroom training,
now able to read well. The Vision-Aid center is following up with his school administration to make sure that he
receives support in the classroom
Azad age 15 is a 10th grade student residing in the Dimilada village in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh,
India. Azad had frequent headaches, and could not see the blackboard even from the first row of his class even with
prescribed spectacles. He was diagnosed with Congenital Albunism and Nystagmus with Visual Acuity of less than
6/60 in both eyes in October 2005 and referred to VisionAid Vizag Center for Low Vision Rehabiliation. When they
called the Center Helpline, because of congenital and family history both Azad and his father were asked to come in to
the center. Azad's father was also found to be a low vision patient with below 6/48 visual acuity in both eyes and told
the center staff that he has lived with this level of poor vision for 30 years. Even though he has a teaching job at the
village school, his disability causes difficulty in reading and writing. Albinism is a disease where the pigmentation of
the skin (and sometimes the retina) is absent and can cause loss of vision. Azad is not only a severe albino like his
father but also noticeably nystagmic. Nystagmus is involuntary rapid oscillatory movement of the eyes this combined
with acute albinism causes further drop in visual functions. After detailed low vision evaluation the father was fitted with
a high power low vision devices to help him to read large text comfortably (devices included hand held optical
magnifier and spectacles). Azad was trained in the use of a 5x optical pocket telescope to read blackboard and a
portable spects magnifier In addition to providing optical devices Azad was encouraged to use support of auxiliary
devices like soft tip pens and pencils, clearly ruled paper and the use of peaked caps to avoid glare (all of these
increase comfort and efficiency of low vision patients) Since Albinism and Nystagmus incidence is notably higher in
consanguineous marriages (inter marrying with close relatives, a practice common in certain parts of India), the family
was counseled to be aware of the risks of this kind of inter-marriage. Azad's father promised to campaign for
awareness about this in his village community. VisionAid staff scheduled follow up visits by Azad so his progress in
school can be tracked. If determined appropriate in cases like Azad's the center staff will write to the school teachers
and principals encouraging them to support Azad in his academic and other school activities. We commend Azad and
his family for their enthusiasm and efforts while visiting the center.
Sampath, age 4, was a premature baby with acutely low vision .He was unable to see text in a book when admitted
into UKG. He was referred to the VisionAid Vizag center by Visakha Eye Hospital. After 2 sessions with the optometrist
and center staff, he is making a lot of progress, and now readily agrees to use the prescribed spectacle magnifiers.
Parents and teachers were both counselled by the center staff so they can work with him effectively. He is now able to
read and write basic alphabet with the new devices and training.
Kalyan and SuresKalyan are the two out of 3 sons ,of consaguinally related parents . Both are nystagmic but were
able to accomplish significant Vision Enhancement with the use of special tinted spects for near vision and
telescopes for distant vision.h ( seen in the photo with spects ) are the two out of 3 sons ,of consaguinally related
parents . Both are nystagmic but were able to accomplish significant Vision Enhancement with the use of special
tinted spects for near vision and telescopes for distant vision.
protect their privacy , only the first names of patients is used. In certain cases (marked with a * after the name), a
pseudonym has been used at the request of the patient.
7 year old Ramesh is in the IInd Grade, studying in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. His teacher observed that
he often looks away from the black board and copies class work from neighbor .Based on this feedback, his parents
took him to several eye hospitals coming eventually to the VisionAid Center in Vizag, through the referral of Visakha Eye
Hospital. The patient was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa but the Doctor also noted that the patient was
"non cooperative" - resistive to eye testing or the use of spectacles or other assistive devices.At Vision Aid
with the help of the special children's program which amongst other things uses color coded toys and attractive vision
kits that can measure the visual acuity of children while they play with the specially designed toys and kits. He was
diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa with better than 6/19 visual acuity in both eyes. He was called back formultiple
follow up sessions for evaluation and the center staff hope to succeed in gradually training him in the use of normal
spects for near vision and pocket telescopic low vision aids for distant vision in the classroom. The staff also counsels
parents to provide the needed support and monitoring and to motivate Ramesh to succeed.
Skuntala, age 3, was born with only one eye partly usable .She was referred to the Vision-Aid center by Regional
Government Eye Hospital which does not have Vision Rehabilitation facilitie. Her mother Ramulamma is a daily wage
low incomve worker , keen to keep child at home and study in a regular school instead of sending her to a blind school
as advised by the Regional Eye Hospital. After being fitted with special spectacle frame with high mag lens for the
good eye, one eye is now usable. This child is extraordinarily cheerful and cooperates with the optometrist , and with
training, is not only able to read but copy letters and numbers onto a slate or paper. This patient was treated at no cost
and provided with free optical assistive devices for near and distant viewing.
Jami , age 10, was referred to the Vision Enhancement center with a significant loss of central vision and Nystagmus.
His parents are both daily wage construction labourers in Tagarapuvalasa Village. Jami was attending the village
school but not able to cope because of his vision condition despite being apparently bright and well behaved. Jami
was referred to Vison-Aid by Sankara Eye Hospital. After due evaluation (lasting two sessions of approximately 2
hours each), Jami was fitted with a stand magnifier for reading , eye glasses for distant vision and in a follow up visit
will be trained with a monocular telescopic aid, the combination of which is helping him cope with school work more
independently.
Surya(*), age 13, was referred to the Vision Rehabilitation center with a diagnosis of early Macular Degeneration,
causing significant loss of vision in both eyes. His school (KDPM school, Vizag) was frustrated because he was
unable to see the blackboard despite being seated in the front row . Surya visited the center multiple times and after
evaluation, was trained in the use of a monocular telescope and stand magnifier. He was also trained to work with
improved lighting at home. The Center wrote to the school explaining his condition , the prescribed solutions and how
the school could assist him in using these aids and perform his work effectively. Two weeks after he returned to
school , the teacher from KDPM school wrote a letter to Vision-Aid informing that he is now able to follow the class
instructions much better. His parents have also indicated that he is able to read and perform his home-work
independently.
Ramana , a carpenter by profession came to the Vizag center from the BKPally Village, because he had lost usable
vision in both his eyes due to severe glaucoma which could no longer be treated. He was evaluated and referred to the
Rehab. Section where he is scheduled to learn skills in Basket weaving. Vision-Aid was happy to provide him free
service based on his need.
Naguraya , a senior Citizen , (age 83 years) was unable to read print (newspapers and books) because of ARMD,
despite the attempted use of conventional optical magnifiers. The evaluating optometris recommended the use of an
electronic CCTV device and provided the necessary training. His family now reports he is able to read the newspaper
and most printed matter with the help of the CCTV.
Devi(*), a middle level school teacher, age 42, and mother of two, has almost no usable vision in one eye, due to
optic nerve atrophy bur retains usable vision in the other eye. She was trained in the use of both optical and electronic
aids (like CCTV) and has reported improved ability to perform her work more effectively at home and in school . The
center offered Devi the low vision assessments at no cost.
Nikhil (age 15) and his sister Navya (age 12) suffer loss of vision due to a hereditary congenital retinal disorder. They
were prescribed with telescopic devices which could help them to see the black board better in school and trained in
the use of illuminated stand magnifiers and use of lighting to perform reading and writing tasks.
Suryanarayan, age 82, regained his ability to see distant objects with the use of spectacle mounted binoculars and
his ability to read with a pair of high diopter prismatic glasses prescribed by the Vision-Aid optometrist. He was offered
both the service and the devices completely free of cost due to his need.
Pavan age 8 ,student grade 2 picked up by the free weekly transportation service run from the local govt. Regional Eye
hospital which does not have adequate facilites to treat low vision patients. The boy was declared ad partially blind due
to premature birth which caused Optic atropophy acute myopia and the resulting poor mobility. The vision-aid center
fitted him with appropriate magnification devices and he was provided with mobility training and classroom training,
now able to read well. The Vision-Aid center is following up with his school administration to make sure that he
receives support in the classroom
Azad age 15 is a 10th grade student residing in the Dimilada village in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh,
India. Azad had frequent headaches, and could not see the blackboard even from the first row of his class even with
prescribed spectacles. He was diagnosed with Congenital Albunism and Nystagmus with Visual Acuity of less than
6/60 in both eyes in October 2005 and referred to VisionAid Vizag Center for Low Vision Rehabiliation. When they
called the Center Helpline, because of congenital and family history both Azad and his father were asked to come in to
the center. Azad's father was also found to be a low vision patient with below 6/48 visual acuity in both eyes and told
the center staff that he has lived with this level of poor vision for 30 years. Even though he has a teaching job at the
village school, his disability causes difficulty in reading and writing. Albinism is a disease where the pigmentation of
the skin (and sometimes the retina) is absent and can cause loss of vision. Azad is not only a severe albino like his
father but also noticeably nystagmic. Nystagmus is involuntary rapid oscillatory movement of the eyes this combined
with acute albinism causes further drop in visual functions. After detailed low vision evaluation the father was fitted with
a high power low vision devices to help him to read large text comfortably (devices included hand held optical
magnifier and spectacles). Azad was trained in the use of a 5x optical pocket telescope to read blackboard and a
portable spects magnifier In addition to providing optical devices Azad was encouraged to use support of auxiliary
devices like soft tip pens and pencils, clearly ruled paper and the use of peaked caps to avoid glare (all of these
increase comfort and efficiency of low vision patients) Since Albinism and Nystagmus incidence is notably higher in
consanguineous marriages (inter marrying with close relatives, a practice common in certain parts of India), the family
was counseled to be aware of the risks of this kind of inter-marriage. Azad's father promised to campaign for
awareness about this in his village community. VisionAid staff scheduled follow up visits by Azad so his progress in
school can be tracked. If determined appropriate in cases like Azad's the center staff will write to the school teachers
and principals encouraging them to support Azad in his academic and other school activities. We commend Azad and
his family for their enthusiasm and efforts while visiting the center.
Sampath, age 4, was a premature baby with acutely low vision .He was unable to see text in a book when admitted
into UKG. He was referred to the VisionAid Vizag center by Visakha Eye Hospital. After 2 sessions with the optometrist
and center staff, he is making a lot of progress, and now readily agrees to use the prescribed spectacle magnifiers.
Parents and teachers were both counselled by the center staff so they can work with him effectively. He is now able to
read and write basic alphabet with the new devices and training.
Kalyan and SuresKalyan are the two out of 3 sons ,of consaguinally related parents . Both are nystagmic but were
able to accomplish significant Vision Enhancement with the use of special tinted spects for near vision and
telescopes for distant vision.h ( seen in the photo with spects ) are the two out of 3 sons ,of consaguinally related
parents . Both are nystagmic but were able to accomplish significant Vision Enhancement with the use of special
tinted spects for near vision and telescopes for distant vision.
(c) Copyright, 2004. Vision-Aid. All Rights Reserved.
Vision-Aid
A 501(c)(3) Non Profit Organization serving the visually disadvantaged in Under-Served Areas
A 501(c)(3) Non Profit Organization serving the visually disadvantaged in Under-Served Areas
