July Newsletter No. 323
Experience of someone who lost their sight overnight
The experience of someone who lost their sight overnight and how they have been helped by a succession of guide dogs since.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/jun/24/experience-i-lost-my-sight-overnight
Blind photographer explains how she operates
British photographer Andrews, who has no useful sight in her left eye and no central vision in her right, explains how she goes about her photography work.
UK charity Guide Dogs is giving away 2,500 iPads to visually impaired children
Following a successful pilot scheme last year, the Tech for All program from the charity Guide Dogs is now open to applications for 2022.
It’s open to any child aged between three and 18 with a visual impairment and will provide them with an iPad tablet to use outside of school.
Tips to reduce digital eye strain
The use of digital devices has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as people shifted to remote work and children had to spend more time on their mobile or computer, thanks to online classes. This has led to a significant rise in digital eye strain. This makes an individual vulnerable to different eye issues ranging from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to dry eyes.
However, to get respite from digital eye strain and alleviate various disorders, eye yoga can prove to be extremely effective. Eye yoga usually involves eye movements that can condition and strengthen the muscles of the eyes. Practising eye yoga over a period of time can bring immense benefits to a practitioner and can facilitate the normal functioning of the eyes. More details here:
Partially sighted author, 96, celebrates having her first book published
Sheila Rainey, who is partially sighted, has enjoyed writing for years and has now had latest novel, called ‘Innocents In London’, published after being encouraged by a friend.
Mother can read letters for the first time thanks to new device
A Scots mum has been able to “read” a letter from her daughter’s school for the first time thanks to a life-changing device.
Jolene Whyte, from Aberdeen, who suffers from severe sight loss, had to give up her job as a carer in January due to agonising headaches and being left unable to see. The OrCam MyEye allows Jolene to use vocal commands to find specific information on a page and reads it out loud to her through the “Smart Reading” function.
The device which can be attached magnetically to any pair of glasses, also helps her know where her young children – aged three and seven – are when they are out together at the park through facial recognition technology.
It can tell her what items she is looking at in her cupboards or while out shopping by reading barcodes, and it recognises the value of different bank notes.
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-mum-can-read-letters-27287008
Smart glasses technology
A mother, Kathleen Williams, who was diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition with no known treatment three decades ago has spoken of the joy of being being able to see again – 33 years after she started experiencing the symptoms from the condition.
The special technology launched by OXSIGHT Onyx last October has allowed Kathleen to watch TV again.
The smart glasses use AI technology to help people with eye problems ‘see’ by allowing them to zoom in with image enhancement, adapting exactly to the wearer’s needs.
Kathleen says she now feels part of her family again and of being able to see again – thanks to new smart glasses technology.