Video: Low Vision Rehab Gives Patients New Look At Life

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) –  Not long ago, Joyce Blasingame could hardly read a recipe.

She suffers from macular degeneration, a common condition in many older adults as a result of damage to the retina.

“I’m an active person. I love to ride horses and it was getting too difficult to do all the things I like to do,” the 75 year old Blasingame said.

Her optometrist referred her to Cheri Nipp, an occupational therapist at NMMC, who tailored a therapy to Blassingame’s needs.

“I did home visits with her so we walked around home and I applied different types of marking to her stove, her laundry area, her telephone, anything she had challenges being able to see, I would help make those more visible with different types of strategies, one is bump dots, that have a tactile feeling,” Nipp said.

Magnifying devices also were used. One, called “The Acrobat,” allows users to see close up for reading, and also far away, like street signs. It’s worked so well Blasingame has returned to work at her family-owned business, Cold Mix Incorporated, in Wren.

“Now, with the Acrobat, I can write tickets and see the trucks by switching over and see the trucks on the scales to see what company it is that I’m writing the ticket for,” Blasingame said.

Nipp says it’s rewarding to help patients regain their focus in life.

“So many patients, when they lose their vision lose so much of their livelihood, their lifestyle, and their independence and depression is a very high correlation to vision loss,” Nipp said.

For Blasingame and other patients, low vision rehab is providing a new lease on life. Blasingame has recently undergone surgery and she will eventually be able to drive again.