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
by admin | Apr 29, 2020 | Blog, News
VLANJ Tech Talks virtual classroom kicks off “Zooming” its first session this evening, Wednesday, April 29th, from 7PM to 9PM. Led by VLANJ technology instructors Christina Brino and Susanne Sytsma, VLANJ Tech Talks is a monthly technology discussion forum, overviewing different accessible technologies and accessibility features of iPads, iPhones and personal computers. Tech Talks was made possible by a generous grant from The Provident Bank Foundation.
This evening’s topic is a demonstration and discussion of the Zoom platform. Below are instructions for downloading the Zoom app, using the iPhone and iPad accessibility feature “VoiceOver”:
Link to zoom:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/zoom-cloud-meetings/id546505307
Find: Zoom Cloud meetings, meet happy.
Find the “get” button double tap.
Sign up at the bottom of the screen, double tap,
Find email address, complete,
Find first name, complete,
Find last name, complete,
Find I agree to the terms of service.
Instructions for using Jaws and Zoom:
Go to the zoom web site:
www.zoom.us.
Go to the join meeting menu.
Tab over to the edit box where you will type in the meeting ID which will be in the meeting invitation that you received.
Tab over to the join button and hit enter on that.
You can also join the zoom meeting by entering on the link that says join which is in the email that you received. It will take you to the zoom site and there you will get a message do you want to open this app and you will hit open app. It will take you right to the meeting.
When you are at the meeting controls it will have options to choose from such as turn on video.
You can also enter the zoom room by copying the link in the email that you received.
Then open your browser of choice. Go to the address bar by pressing the shortcut key alt. D. and that will take you directly to the address bar. Paste the link into the address bar. It will either automatically take you to the zoom meeting or you might have to just hit enter after pasting the link.
by admin | Apr 27, 2020 | Blog, Program
A new class is open to all people with vision loss: Now and Zen. Join us for an audio described Yoga experience that will facilitate core strengthening, flexibility, and an overall sense of peace and well-being. This class will take place on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM, beginning May 6th. The class will continue through the week of June 8th.
Class dates and times:
May 6, 2020 10:00 AM
May 13, 2020 10:00 AM
May 20, 2020 10:00 AM
May 27, 2020 10:00 AM
Jun 3, 2020 10:00 AM
Jun 10, 2020 10:00 AM
The class will take place via the Zoom platform. Advanced registration is required, as space is limited. This class is free and open to all people who are experiencing vision loss. Follow the link below to register:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkc-6qpjIuHNYis4-Lnwcl_8_QaWIQVVxD
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. For any questions, please reach out to us via email:
beyondsight@vlanj.org
by admin | Apr 24, 2020 | Blog, News, Program
As part of our Beyond Sight series of programs we are offering Meditation and Mindfulness, an online class to help you cope with the stresses of everyday life. This class will be held at 1:30pm EST on Tuesdays through the week of June 8th, using the Zoom meeting platform.
There is no cost to participate, however registration is required and seating is limited. This program is open to all people with vision loss. Register in advance by clicking on the following link:
https://zoom.us/…/regist…/uJMpcumqpjMpKyFOZ0cDng4VVkxGz3M6NQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. We look forward to having you in our classroom! For questions regarding Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey and our programs please email us:
beyondsight@vlanj.org