IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2011
Contact: Dominic Calabrese
312/997-3662
dominic.calabrese@chicagolighthouse.org

Chicago Lighthouse Store Offers Hope in Combating Effects of Macular Degeneration

CHICAGO – Reading a daily newspaper, driving at night, or even inspecting the ingredients listed on a can of vegetables at the supermarket.

These everyday tasks are taken for granted by most Americans except when they are coping with age related macular degeneration.

According to the American Society of Retinal Specialists, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic condition that causes central vision loss.  It occurs when the macula—the central portion of the retina that is important for reading and color vision—becomes damaged.  The disease affects millions of Americans and is a leading cause of blindness in people 60 and older.

“As the number of elderly people in the U.S. skyrockets in the years ahead thanks to the aging of the massive baby boom generation, we’ll see a tremendous increase in the incidence of macular degeneration,” noted Tom Perski, senior vice president of rehabilitation services at The Chicago Lighthouse who has AMD himself.

Perski adds that the older you are, the greater your chance of being affected. He points out that symptoms can include blurriness, wavy lines or blind spots.

“That's why it's critically important to learn the symptoms of AMD now, so if you ever notice anything wrong, you can see an ophthalmologist right away. Early detection is key to avoiding vision loss.”

In addition, there are numerous products available that can help people experiencing AMD and other forms of vision loss.  These products are available at the Lighthouse’s Tools for Living Store located at 1850 W. Roosevelt Road.  Opened just a year ago, the Store is especially designed to meet the needs of consumers who are blind or visually impaired.  It is believed to be among the first of its kind in the nation.

Products showcase state of the art technology and include CCTVs, talking clocks and watches, large button phones and cell phones, portable reading devices, accessible software, voice activated GPS and many more items.
To accommodate suburban residents who can’t travel into the city, the Store is taking its low vision products on the road.

Upcoming shows will be held next month at Friendship Village, 350 W. Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg, on Thursday, April 14th and at the Swing into Spring” Senior Expo at the Golf Mill Shopping Center, 239 Golf Mill Center in Niles, on Friday, April 29.

“Everyone is invited to come as our staff demonstrates and explains products that can help with school, work and daily life,” Perski said.

Products are also available for purchase online.  To view them, visit www.chicagolighthouse.org, and click shop online.  Larger items and technology will be delivered to the customer’s home by a Lighthouse representative with training and installation provided free of charge.

For further information on the Low Vision Products Road Show in Schaumburg or future shows, call 1-800-919-3375 or e-mail Tom.Perski@chicagolighthouse.org