by admin | May 17, 2020 | Blog, Program
Made possible by a generous grant from The Provident Bank Foundation, VLANJ Tech Talks discusses accessible technologies and accessibility features of personal computers, iPads and iPhones. The classroom is virtual, conducted via Zoom, and free for all attendees.
In our next session, taking place on Wednesday, May 27th from 7PM to 9PM EST, we discuss grocery store shopping apps and the Amazon shopping app. Learn what shopping options are available for people with vision loss and find ways to navigate shopping for groceries and other necessities from home.
Registration is required for this class, as spots are limited. Use the link below to register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEucuCupzMqEt3AsqebyOHAllv5-knTE7am
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. For more information, email beyondsight@vlanj.org.
by admin | May 11, 2020 | Blog, News
May is Healthy Vision Month. It’s important to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam once a year to check for common eye problems. Taking care of your eyes is a priority, just like eating healthy and getting physical activity. While in quarantine, it may not be possible to get an eye exam; however, there are things you can do to protect your eyes.
Eat right to protect your sight.
Keep your eyes healthy by eating a well-balanced diet. Load up on different types of fruits and veggies, especially leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens. Fish like salmon, tuna, and halibut have been shown to help your eyes, too.
Get moving.
Being overweight or obese can put you at higher risk for diabetes and other conditions that can lead to vision problems. Exercise keeps your weight in check!
Speak up if your vision changes.
Is your vision blurry? Do you squint a lot? Ever have trouble seeing things? Consult your ophthalmologist if your eyes are bothering you or if you notice any changes in your vision.
Keep the germs away.
Always wash your hands before putting them close to your eyes, especially if you’re putting in or taking out contact lenses.
Gear up.
Playing your favorite sport? Using chemicals to clean your home? Mowing the lawn? Wear the right protection to keep your eyes safe. Many eye injuries can be prevented with better safety habits, such as using protective eyewear.
Wear your shades.
The sun’s rays can hurt your eyes. Choose sunglasses that block 99% or 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation from the sun. And remember, you should never look directly at the sun.
Give your eyes a break.
Do you spend a lot of time looking at a computer, phone, or TV screen? Staring at any one thing for too long can tire your eyes. Give your eyes a rest with the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look about 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Say no to smoking.
Did you know that smoking is as bad for your eyes as it is the rest of your body? Smoking can put you at risk for some pretty serious eye issues, which can lead to blindness.
Talk about it.
Does anyone in your family have issues with their eyes? Not sure? Ask! Talking about eye health with your family can help all of you stay healthy, and discover any underlying hereditary or genetic issues with your eyes!
by admin | May 5, 2020 | Blog, News
Health experts are urging people to avoid touching their face, as SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19 can enter the body through the mouth, nose and eyes. This leaves millions of people across the globe who wear contact lenses wondering whether they are placing themselves at risk with use of contacts, or if they should make the switch to glasses during the pandemic. A lot of information has been circulating the internet about contact lens wearers being at higher risk of becoming infected with COVID-19, but there’s also a lot of misinformation – let’s put the rumors to rest.
There is currently no scientific evidence that contact lens wearers have an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 compared with users of eye glasses. Should you have some questions about this, it’s best to consult your ophthalmologist.
Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert, says it is safe for people to continue wearing contact lenses as long as they remain diligent about hygiene. And good contact lens hygiene means washing your hands with soap and water. A lot. It’s also better to avoid alcohol-based soap alternatives, or sanitizers, before inserting or removing contact lenses, as you may experience some stinging or burning. Lastly, it’s not just washing to watch out for – drying is just as important! It’s imperative to use a clean towel and dry your hands thoroughly. These habits will help you stay healthy and out of your eye doctor’s office or hospital in general.
Whether you wear contacts, glasses, or require no vision correction, you should avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth when your hands are unwashed, to avoid contracting any illnesses. Dirty hands mean more than just the spread of COVID-19. You can also contract Pink Eye or other eye infections or other unpleasant illnesses. Ophthalmologists recommend that you temporarily stop wearing your contacts and use your glasses instead if you become ill. Once you return to full health and have spoken with your eye doctor, it should be safe to return to contact lens use.
Lastly, there is absolutely no scientific evidence supporting rumors that everyday glasses or spectacles offer protection against COVID-19.
For more information about eye safety, contact lenses and their use, as well as information on how to protect yourself from coronavirus, visit the following website:
https://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/protect-your-eyes.html
by admin | May 2, 2020 | Blog, News
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey to halt programs at its locations, that left a hole in the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired. VLANJ needed a temporary home for its Beyond Sight wellness classes, peer support groups, and an apps club, and found it through video conferencing.
“We wanted to give participants something to look forward to, and help everyone stay calm and connected,” said Linda Groszew, VLANJ’s senior program manager and volunteer coordinator. VLANJ is running Fit & Balance classes twice a week. Yoga, two support groups, and an Apps Club are offered weekly. Between nine and 14 people participate in each session using Zoom, Groszew said.
All of our classes are free to join, and all people with vision loss are welcome! Registration is required because space is limited. Find out more about how you can join our classes by emailing beyondsight@vlanj.org.
Read the full article published in Parsippany Focus here:
https://parsippanyfocus.com/2020/04/26/vlanj-goes-virtual-to-serve-people-with-vision-loss-during-covid-19-crisis/
by admin | Apr 30, 2020 | Blog, Events
Join Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey on Tuesday May 5th as we kick off #GivingTuesdayNow, a day dedicated to inspire donations and citizen engagement to support communities and nonprofits around the world.
Communities and individuals are encouraged to help a neighbor, advocate for an issue, or donate to nonprofits, such as Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey, who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vision Loss Alliance is a non-profit organization, dedicated to supporting individuals with vision loss. We rely on your donations to bridge the funding gap caused by the pandemic. With your help, we can continue to provide classes through our new virtual program BeyondSight to aid our students in staying connected, active, and maintaining their independence. Every little bit helps!
Donate by clicking the link below:
vlanj.org/donations
