Advanced Low Vision Headsets Help Legally Blind to See Their Present and Future More Clearly.Enhanced Vision's JORDY JORDY Joint Optical Reflective Display (NASA) Digital Video Headset Allows Students, Workers to See and the Freedom "To Do," Some for the First Time in Their Lives HUNTINGTON BEACH Huntington Beach, city (1990 pop. 181,519), Orange co., S Calif., on the Pacific coast, across from Santa Catalina Island, in an oil-producing area; inc. 1909. It manufactures aerospace vehicles, aircraft parts, optical instruments, and heat transfer equipment. , Calif. -- Those who suffer from low vision or are designated as legally blind as a result of disease or genetic disorders can now see and do, some for the first time in their lives, thanks to new advanced magnification technology. Experts estimate that more than 3.3 million Americans suffer from low vision, which can severely affect their ability to read and do traditional tasks. Yet most people with low vision have a great deal of useable sight. Some may be considered legally blind, meaning they have less than 20/200 vision or their field of vision is restricted to a 20-degree diameter. But even then they often have a lot of available vision that can be used with proper instruction and vision enhancement. But thanks to new products made by companies like industry leader Huntington Beach, Calif.-based Enhanced Vision, those with conditions such as macular degeneration macular degeneration, eye disorder causing loss of central vision. The affected area, the macula, lies at the back of the retina and is the part that produces the sharpest vision. , glaucoma glaucoma (glôkō`mə), ocular disorder characterized by pressure within the eyeball caused by an excessive amount of aqueous humor (the fluid substance filling the eyeball). or Retinitis Pigmentosa Retinitis Pigmentosa Definition Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) refers to a group of inherited disorders that slowly lead to blindness due to abnormalities of the photoreceptors (primarily the rods) in the retina. or even Diabetic Retinopathy diabetic retinopathy n. Retinal changes occurring in long-term diabetes and characterized by punctate hemorrhages, microaneurysms, and sharply defined waxy exudates. can learn to see, some for the first time in their lives. Manhattan School of Music Founded in 1917, the school is located on Claremont Avenue in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of New York City, adjacent to the campus of Columbia University, where it has been since 1969. Many of the students live in the school's residence hall, Andersen Hall. violin student Allan Bailey is considered legally blind but reads documents and can see with the help of products like the Joint Optical Reflective Display, named the "JORDY," which may recall the television series "Star Trek: The Next Generation," where a character's blindness was corrected to 20/20 vision by wearing a similarly designed high-powered magnification device. Manufactured in the U.S., the JORDY unit is the most advanced head-worn magnifier on the market. The JORDY is a battery-operated system that can be worn like a pair of glasses or used as a desktop video magnifier when placed on its docking stand. With its 30X magnification range, built-in lighting system and auto-focus feature, the JORDY enables people with low vision to see objects at a distance, up close, or at any range in between. "My first reaction was thrilling because I could see clearly at any distance and everything was so bright that it made it possible for me to read music again," said Bailey, originally from Florida, who uses the product to read music. At age five, he was diagnosed with optic atrophy Optic Atrophy Definition Optic atrophy can be defined as damage to the optic nerve resulting in a degeneration or destruction of the optic nerve. , which is the loss of some or most of the fibers of the optic nerve optic nerve: see vision. . For photos and more information on the JORDY or other Enhanced Vision products, go to www.enhancedvision.com or call 888-811-3161. LIFE STORIES Some of the many life stories of people who use Enhanced Vision products are available on the website. Go to www.enhancedvision.com and click on "Life Stories" at the bottom of the home page. About Enhanced Vision Enhanced Vision is the leading developer of innovative products designed specifically for people who are legally blind and have macular degeneration and other low-vision conditions. The company has helped thousands of people regain their visual independence by providing the ability to read, write, watch TV, enjoy a play and live again. Headquartered in Huntington Beach, Calif., Enhanced Vision products are available in more than 70 countries worldwide. For more information, please call (888) 811-3161 or visit www.enhancedvision.com. |
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