Key Commitment... Sight:

Macular Degeneration affects central vision, which is essential for reading, driving and most other things in life and as its name suggests, it is progressive.  While there is no cure for AMD, there are currently a number of things that can be done to cope with it and to slow its progression.   Age-related Macular degeneration, often called AMD, is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among Americans who are age 65 and older. Because people in this group are an increasingly larger percentage of the general population, vision loss from Macular degeneration is a growing problem. That evening, Dr. Jeff Hilovsky, a highly respected local eye specialist, presented the facts about AMD, current treatments available and how to reduce your chances of acquiring this disease.. Jim Hindman, who is best known as the founder of Jiffy Lube, told his story about being diagnosed with AMD, losing his sight, then having it restored by a miraculous procedure involving implanting a “miniature telescope” in his eye.  (Jim has written a book about his life, “Was Blind, but Now I See”, the proceeds from which are devoted to AMD research.  He has also established a foundation, whose primary purpose is to educate people about this disease and provide hope for all who have been affected by AMD.) Another   exciting   project   in   the   works,   which   is   supported   by   Jim   Hindman   and   his   foundation,   is   the   making   of an   educational   video.      This   will   be   directed   toward   eye   care   professionals   and   is   intended   to   encourage   them   to become   familiar   with   all   of   the   resources   available   for   those   have   lost   their   sight…      With   the   ultimate   goal   of educating low vision patients and giving them hope. (Further information on this project is detailed below.)    Lions Past International Director Joe Gaffigan and Lions Past District Governor of Delaware, Rich Merriwether, both spoke of the exciting Lions initiative known as the Lions Low Vision Rehabilitation Network (LOVRNET), which is currently in the trial phase.  L OVRNET   is   a   program   of   the   Low   Vision   Research   Foundation   at   the   Wilmer   Eye   Institute   at   Johns   Hopkins Hospital.      It   is   funded   through   grants   from   Lions   Clubs   International   and   Readers   Digest.      It   is   designed   to eliminate or minimize barriers to providing low vision rehabilitation services within the community. Thank you