Equipping Alaskans who are blind and visually impaired for success in life and work

The Center served 400 clients throughout Alaska last year

Almost 14,000 Alaskans have sight loss that cannot be corrected by eye glasses or surgery

Vision rehabilitation teaches people new ways of doing things when sight loss interferes with employment or daily living

Leading causes of blindness in the U. S Leading causes of blindness in the U.S. are: macular degeneration diabetic retinopathy glaucoma

Diabetic Retinopathy A possible complication that occurs when the disease affects the tiny blood vessels inside the retina Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes There are a variety of stages, however, it is caused from damaged blood vessels in the retina- since the retina needs a lot of oxygen and nutrients, a good blood supply is needed. When the blood vessels are damaged, the retina is not getting the nutrients that it needs and it starts to create new blood vessels.

Diabetic Retinopathy The problem is that the new blood vessels are always bad because they leak, bleed and hemorrhage. Both visual acuity and fields can be affected. Laser surgeries are available to “zap” those leaking blood vessels but there is typically no improvement in vision, it simply keeps it from getting worse. If left untreated, total blindness can occur.

A sneaky disease Diabetic retinopathy can cause permanent eye damage before you know anything is wrong. This is also true for glaucoma.

See your eye doctor every year Get a dilated eye exam at least once a year if you have diabetes. (Lions vision screening cannot detect diabetic retinopathy.)

90% of people with sight loss have remaining usable vision

Sight loss affects all ages 5% are under age 18 30% are age 18-64 65% are 65 or older

By 2020 almost 100,000 Alaskans will be 65 and older, greatly increasing the number needing vision rehabilitation

The Center was founded in 1977 and continues as Alaska’s only vision rehabilitation agency