CNIB to host Free Vision Health Seminar for residents of Kitchener

Kitchener– Developed and hosted by CNIB, a series of 50 free public awareness seminars for seniors called “You and Your Vision Health: Yes! Something More Can Be Done” will take place across Canada over the next six months.

Based on a newly-published CNIB resource guide of the same name, the seminar will be coming to Kitchener on May 6th from 1-3pm at The Rockway Centre. Seniors with or without vision loss and their family members and friends are encouraged to attend. Members of the media are also welcome to attend. For more information or to register, please call Shampa Bose at 1-866-577-7727.

At the seminar, Optometrist, Dr. Derek MacDonald will be on hand to present the four most common causes of age-related vision loss and prevention strategies to maintain vision health. A CNIB low vision specialist will demonstrate ways to maximize remaining vision, and a guest speaker with vision loss will share their own experience. Participants will also have an opportunity to ask questions, and will receive a free copy of the vision health guide.

Currently, more than 400,000 Canadians aged 55 or older have vision loss that makes daily living a challenge, and that number is expected to increase dramatically as our population ages. Alarmingly, many Canadians are unfamiliar with the signs and symptoms of eye disease. Others are unaware that serious eye conditions such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration can be present without symptoms and progress rapidly if left untreated. Still others who have vision loss do not know what support is available to make life easier and help them to maintain independence.

For more information about the guide, please visit www.cnib.ca/visionhealthguide.