Southeast Alaska Independent Living in Haines will host a low vision clinic on Sept. 27 and 28 in collaboration with the Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Low-vision specialist Nicole James, based out of Anchorage, will help people experiencing vision problems like glaucoma and cataracts find out how their vision is impacting their daily life. James will offer tips, guidance, devices and tools – called low vision aids – that could make ordinary tasks easier for people with impaired vision.
Independent living advocate Margaret Sebens said the clinic will offer up to $100 worth of “free goodies” like magnifiers, special-colored glasses and other helpful tools. “(Participants) can learn simple tricks about how to adjust so they can see better,” Sebens said. There is no cost to the assessment, but James will have low-vision aids available for people to test and order.
The clinic will take place in the Soboleff-McCrae Wellness Center conference rooms, but home visits may also be possible. Sebens said this event occurs in Haines roughly every two years. The center will also host another clinic in Skagway on Sept. 29. Both events will not include eye exams or fittings for glasses.
Call Sebens at 766-3297 to register.