Tag Archives: help

Low Vision Resources in Tampa

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Although medical and surgical treatments often help to restore vision or minimize loss of vision, many people lose vision permanently from various eye conditions. This information was compiled to inform you about what is available in the community to assist in overcoming some of the problems encountered with low vision. Keep in close contact with trusted friends and family members who can provide help. Remain as active as your health and vision with allow. Identify and treat depression with the help of your internist. You will not harm your eyes by trying to use them. You may sit close to the TV to see it better without risking damage to your eyes. When reading, good lighting is important (a gooseneck lamp may be helpful). To reduce glare when outdoors, consider wearing glasses tinted dark-yellow or amber.

TRANSPORTATION

CTI “Share-A-Van” transportation service………….272-7272

HARTline buses (discount for legal blindness)…….623-5835

Angel Wings/Red Cross (Free, Non-Medicaid).……251-0921

Evacuation Preparedness and Assistance………….272-6900

MAGNIFICATION

The Lighthouse for the Blind
1106 W. Platt Street
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 251-2407
Harbor Freight

154 W Fletcher Ave

Tampa, FL 33612

(813) 930-0774

TELEPHONE DIRECTORY SERVICE

Free directory assistance over the phone from Verizon is available with a form filled out at our office.

HELP FOR VETERANS

VIS Program offers low-vision aids and training.

Call (813) 903-2441

TALKING BOOK LIBRARY

Applications for the free books on cassette tape are available from our office. Tapes are mailed to your home.

Hillsborough County Talking Book Library

3910 South Manhattan Avenue

Tampa, Florida 33611-1214

(813) 272-6024

U.S. National Library Service 1-800-424-8567

www.loc.gov/nls (books and magazines on tape)

Books and magazines on tape to keep (free):

American Printing House for the Blind 1-800-223-1839

Choice Magazines 1-888-724-6423

Large-print books (loan):

National Association for Visually Handicapped

1-212-889-3141 (www.navh.org)

SUPPORT GROUPS AND CLASSES

Eyes Only Support Group

Lighthouse for the Blind

1106 W. Platt Street

Tampa, Florida 33606

(813) 251-2407

REHABILITATION

Division of Blind Services

415 S Armenia Ave

Tampa, FL 33609

(813) 871-7190

Comprehensive Home Care

(813) 373-8438

 

LOW VISION CATALOG

Maxiaids Catalog (free catalog of helpful aids)

1-800-522-6294

LOW VISON SOFTWARE FOR COMPUTER

Freedom Scientific

http://www.freedomscientific.com/product-portal.asp)

1-800-444-4443

NEWSPAPER READING SERVICE

 USF Newspaper Reading Service broadcast by radio.

Applications are available in our office.

TAX RELIEF

 Tax deductions on property tax and income tax are available to persons who are legally blind. Your eye doctor can supply you with proper documentation of legal blindness.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON LOW VISION:

National Eye Health Educational Program

National Institutes of Health (English and Spanish)

www.nei.nih.gov
Association for Macular Diseases (1-212-605-3719)

www.macula.org
Macular Degeneration Partnership (1-888-430-9898)

www.amd.org
MD Support (information and video: Learning to live with low vision)

www.mdsupport.org

Self-Help Books:

Making Life More Livable, M. Duffy, NY: American Foundation for the Blind, 2001; 1-800-232-3044

Macular Degeneration: The Complete Guide to Saving and Maximizing Your Sight, L. Mogk, MD & M. Mogk, PhD, NY: Ballantine 2003; available in bookstores and www.amazon.com

Overcoming Macular Degeneration: A Guide to Seeing Beyond the Clouds, S. Soloman, MD and J. Soloman, NY: Avon 2000; available in bookstores and www.amazon.com

This list was compiled to help provide information on available services for the visually impaired. It does not represent an endorsement of listed businesses or services. Please verify phone numbers and addresses as they may have changed since this publication was printed.

By Scott E. Pautler, MD

Copyright © 2017-2022 Designs Unlimited of Florida. All Rights Reserved.

Fenofibrate for Diabetic Retinopathy

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There is substantial evidence that fenofibrate is beneficial in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. The retina in a thin layer of nerve tissue that is sensitive to light and acts like the film in a camera. The retina “takes a picture” of what your eyes focus on. The fine blood vessels in the retina are especially sensitive to high blood sugar levels, which cause the vessels to leak and eventually become blocked. This damage is called diabetic retinopathy.

Fenofibrate is a medication commonly used to control blood lipid levels. Abnormal serum levels of lipid have been shown to increase the risk of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), which may lead to stroke and heart attack. While the goal of controlling lipids in diabetes is important in itself, fenofibrate appears to offer an independent benefit to small blood vessels (capillaries) in the retina. Two large studies (ACCORD and FIELD) demonstrated that fewer laser treatments were needed in a group of patients on fenofibrate compared with other patients who were randomized not to receive treatment with this medication for abnormal serum lipid levels. Fenofibrate may be used along side other medications used for lipid control (such as statins). However, patients with severe kidney damage should not use fenofibrate. A common dose of fenofibrate is 160mg per day. However, fenofibrate 54mg is recommended for patients with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) between 30 and 50. No fenofibrate is recommended if the GFR is less than 30.

There are established treatments for diabetic retinopathy. The mainstay of treatment of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy remains laser and anti-VEGF injections (Avastin, Lucentis, Vabysmo, and  Eylea). In severe cases of diabetic retinal damage, vitrectomy surgery is needed to restore vision or prevent blindness. However, there are patients with diabetes who lose vision despite treatment and those who develop side-effects of treatment. Therefore, fenofibrate is a welcome addition to the medical treatment regimen.

Prevention of diabetic eye damage is far superior to treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, it is best to prevent diabetic damage to the eyes and other organs in the body through proper management of blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipids with the help of a medical doctor. In difficult cases of diabetes, the help of an endocrinologist is necessary. Finally, annual dilated eye exams with an eye doctor skilled in the management of diabetic retinopathy is key to identify retinal damage before vision is lost.

By Scott E. Pautler, MD

For a telemedicine consultation with Dr Pautler, please send email request to spautler@rvaf.com. We accept Medicare and most insurances in Florida. Please include contact information (including phone number) in the email. We are unable to provide consultation for those living outside the state of Florida with the exception of limited one-time consultations with residents of the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, and Washington.

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