Our Mission at The Lighthouse in Tyler, TX is to Empower Blind Americans through rehabilitation, education, training and employment.
Did You Know?
Did you know that 80,000,000 Americans have potentially blinding eye diseases? That 3,400,000 Americans are either blind or visually impaired? And that an additional 1,600,000 Americans have age related macular degeneration which is the leading cause of permanent impairment of reading or close up vision among people aged 65 years and older?
The causes of blindness are many, but projections for the coming years indicate the number of blind and visually impaired people will triple as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes and other major causes of blindness take their toll. Age related macular degeneration commonly occurs in people who in many cases had no prior symptoms. Blindness can strike anyone at anytime, anywhere. It can strike you. The results of vision loss are traumatic, both physically and emotionally. Our Rehabilitative Services division has the resources and the commitment to help people transition from and independent sighted life style to an independent blind lifestyle.
Reference: Center for Disease Control. http://www.cdc.gov.
To understand the different types of low vision, view this Vision Loss Poster.
Saving Sight Program a Success- Needs Funding
A Simple Eye Exam Can Prevent Blindness
Charles E. Coleman III awakened one morning in 1994 with an unexpected eye pain. Thinking that a quick trip to a local medical clinic would address the issue, Charles had no idea that by not receiving an immediate eye exam he would lose sight in his right eye. A rare genetic autoimmune disease called Ankylosis Spondylitis attacked and destroyed the vision in his right eye. Doctors said the damage was beyond repair and a routine eye exam could have prevented his blindness.
Today the 40 year-old supervisor the The Lighthouse receives monthly treatments to save what sight he still has in his left eye.
"A simple eye exam can screen for conditions and diseases that lead to blindness. I hope you'll consider helping a family on our community who can benefit from this program," says Coleman.
The father of three's greatest job in life is his wife's smile and seeing his children laugh. Coleman also enjoys his work at The Lighthouse where he trains other blind employees traditionally help by the sighted.
Coleman's story of transition from a magazine editor from a world where he functioned with perfect vision to the blind world is one of inspiration. All groups are welcome to call The Lighthouse to book the 2012-2013 Saving Sight Spokesperson for your next event at 903/352.9311.
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Or, send your check to:
Saving Sight
The Lighthouse
500 N. Bois d’ Arc
Tyler, TX 75702
Serving 46 counties in East Texas, The Lighthouse is a 501c3 non-profit organization empowering blind Americans through rehabilitation, education, training and employment.