The Sight Center Of Northwest Pennsylvania

Programs: Prevention of blindness - this year, the sight center provided more than 10,000 visual screenings in our region's pre-schools, kindergarten registrations, day cares, and at our facility. We assisted nurses in elementary and middle schools by screening those youngsters identified as "hard to screen," including autistic, non-verbal, non-english speaking, and behavior-challenged children.

vision rehabilitation: the sight center evaluated over 350 new patients with severe and permanent vision loss in their low vision clinic. Individuals of all ages with macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic complications, stroke, and other conditions causing vision loss are seen by a low-vision optometrist and receive follow-up by a specially trained occupational therapist. Specialty magnification devices, improved lighting, and new skills of daily living enable those with vision loss to live as independently as possible in their own homes.

blindness services and social support: sight center drivers logged over 100,000 miles of escorted transportation for those whose vision is too poor to drive. "door-through-door" transportation means we go into the home, assist our clients to the car, escort them into their medical, legal, dental or other necessary appointment, assist with paperwork, insurance, etc. And then escort them safely back into their home when the appointment is complete. Assistance with personal mail reading, bills, and banking helps those with low or no vision live independently in their own home despite severe vision loss.