Los Angeles, CA -?The?Discovery Eye Foundation partners with the US Department of Health and Human Services
Since 1998, the Macular Degeneration Partnership (MDP), a program of the Discovery Eye Foundation, ?has been dedicated to providing accurate, timely information about age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with a unique focus on low vision rehabilitation. Now, that focus is receiving national emphasis due to Healthy People 2010, an initiative sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Every aspect of living becomes more difficult due to sight impairment. Vision rehabilitation helps people with AMD and other vision problems to maximize their remaining eyesight through consulting services and the many innovative assistive devices now available.
?It has been very satisfying to see the progress we?ve been able to help our members achieve,? said Judith Delgado, director of MDP. ?Healthy People 2010 is amplifying our voice in a way that will help many more people benefit from our programs.?
Healthy People 2010 is a national disease prevention initiative that identifies opportunities to improve the health of all Americans. A key objective of the program is to increase the use of vision rehabilitation services and devices now widely available. The DHHS recommends MDP as a key source of such services on its website list of organizational resources at www.healthyvision2010.org/rehabilitation/index.asp. For those who join MDP, regular communications in the form of group counseling, email alerts, and a monthly newsletter are available.
?When common eyeglasses or contacts no longer give people the quality of life they need, group counseling and assistive devices can really help,? said Delgado. ?Recent studies have proven the value of the support MDP offers.?
People with significant vision loss, especially those who suffer from depression due to their blinding condition, benefit significantly from self-management and support groups, according to a recent study at the UC San Diego Shiley Eye Center and School of Medicine. For those who started the study with measurable depression, a marked improvement in mood and function were measured after participation.
Judith Delgado, who leads a support group as part of her work with MDP, said, ?Steps as simple as improving the lighting in your home can make a world of difference. We try to help people not to become discouraged if they don?t get immediate results. Many of our members try multiple devices before seeing an improvement. Remarkable inventions like video magnifiers, reading machines and assistive software are delivering marked improvement.?