Living Well with Partial Vision is a Medicare-approved comprehensive  vision rehabilitation program established in 2002 for individuals with severe vision loss. Occupational Therapists specially trained in low vision rehabilitation provide in-home treatment to individuals who are experiencing severe vision loss from macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, strokes and accidents. The program is designed to impart skills so that individuals can maintain independence and maximize the use of whatever remaining vision they may have. Clients help determine individualized goals and learn such skills as meal preparation, medication management, health and safety, and use of low vision devices (magnifiers, talking watches, clocks and thermometers, boiling water sensors, 20/20 writing pens, large TV remote controls, etc.), to name a few. For instance, women are often grateful to re-learn how to apply their make-up or tweeze embarrasing facial hair.

The Living Well with Partial Vision program serves around 200 individuals annually. Upon successful completion of the program, 80 percent of participants maintain a long-term improvement in knowledge, skills and self-sufficiency in activities of self-care and home-management, and 86 percent increased their reading/writing ability through the use of low vision devices and proper lighting.

The Association for the Blind is grateful to Trident United Way for the grant funds it provides for the Living Well with Partial Vision program.

To inquire about obtaining a referral for yourself or someone you know, please contact Gwen at (843) 723-6915.  

The purpose of the ReFocus Mobile Eye Clinic program is to provide free, comprehensive, professional eye exams, follow-up care, education and eyewear to medically indigent children, youth, families and homeless/uninsured adults. The ultimate goal of the ReFocus program is to reduce the incidence of unnecessary vision loss and impairment by providing access to an ongoing, donated system of comprehensive vision care services.

ReFocus on Children provides four and five year-old children in select schools the opportunity to receive free eye screenings and professional examinations with prescription eyewear if needed. One out of every 20 preschoolers has a vision problem that can affect learning ability, personality, social skills and self-esteem in school. The ultimate goal of ReFocus on Children is to reduce the incidence of unnecessary vision loss and learning impairment by providing access to comprehensive vision care.

Given that 86% of children start school without ever having an eye exam, the trained AFTB staff perform eye screenings utilizing the state-of-the-art PlusOptix Screener. This device determines the presence of several eye conditions and refractive errors, many of which are easily treatable with early detection. All exams are performed under the direct supervision of a licensed local Optometrist. Children who do not pass the initial eye screening are immediately fully examined at the school by the Optometrist, and those who need glasses will be measured for prescription eye wear by licensed Optician Donnie Anderson at no cost to them. Children requiring further care will be referred to local Pediatric Ophthalmologists.    

All parents receive their child's results through easy to understand forms sent home with their children. ReFocus on Children is funded, in part, by the Ladies Benevolent Society, individuals, foundations and corporations.  

A CCTV (closed-circuit television) uses a video camera to project a magnified image onto a TV screen. For individuals with visual impairments, a CCTV can help you accomplish a lot of daily tasks, such as reading, writing, viewing photos, working crossword puzzles, sewing or other hobbies. This program is funded in part by a fund set up by former AFTB board members. Contact Scott at (843)723-6915 for program information and enrollment.