This is the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE audio edition for April 2004.

All material property of CWAB, Incorporated. Reproduction of audio, and or printed articles or photos in the original printed issue, may not be reproduced or distributed in whole or in part without prior written consent.

Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind, Inc.

Internet: www.cabellwayne.org or www.cwab.org

Paul Slone, Executive Director

Jerry Crabtree, Guide Page Editor

Major funding provided by the Teubert (pronounced Tue-bert) Foundation

Volume 15, Issue 4 - April 2004

In this issue you will hear:

Mission and Vision Statements, Narrator of the Month, From the "Director’s Desk", A Child’s Eye Exam, Healthy Vision Month, Promising New Therapy, Facing Blindness, Ocular Albinism, CWAB scholarships, Rummage Sale & Dinner, G. P. S. For The Blind, Potting Party, Crafting For Spring, Pancakes & Bowling, CWAB Merchandise, General Use Computer, Support Groups, Regular Bowling Scores, Radio Outreach, Billboard, Recipe of the Month, GUIDE PAGE Supporters, Control Your Assets.

The April issue of the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE has a full-page cover photo of a Spring Floral design - the photo shows vibrant colors of yellow, pink, purple, and blue.

Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind is committed to promoting and advocating the economic, educational, and social welfare of the blind and visually impaired of all ages so that they can maintain a lifestyle comparable to other members of society.

CWAB will be seen nationally as a model for organizations and agencies that help blind and visually impaired persons achieve maximum independence. CWAB will be known for timely and appropriate state-of-the-art responses to the changing needs of consumers throughout the Tri-State area and beyond.

Ernie G. Anderson

Long-time tri-state radio personality Ernie G. Anderson gladly volunteered to read the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE’s March 2004 edition.

Andrson, a native of Logan, WV. has been heard on tri-state radio since the late sixties. Having worked for WCMI-AM and WGNT, he found his niche as a booth announcer for the then WHTN-TV (now WOWK).

Anderson has a passion for game shows as evidence of his hosting the long running "HIGH-Q" on WOWK. Now his duties are production and copywrighting, as well as moderator for the Jean Dean Show heard on Huntington’s WRVC-AM.

There is a quarter-page color photo of Anderson with this article. He is wearing a dark plaid shirt, holding an issue of the Guide Page Magazine up to his right shoulder. He is broadly smiling.

From the Director’s Desk ...

Hello Everyone!

Well. Spring is FINALLY here! We here at the Services Division are so glad too. Seems like the warmer weather does help when it comes to fund-raising events.

Speaking of fund-raising - the St. Patrick’s Day sandwich lunch was a good success. The tasty meal attracted a number of consumers and guests to enjoy a Reuben-based lunch. Many thanks to the staff, and volunteers who helped prepare and serve. Final dollar amount was $207.83!

This time of year brings us to the annual consumer vs. staff bowling tournament and East Huntington Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast. Staff and consumers attended the event at the Veterans Memorial Field House on Saturday, March 20th. Afterwards everyone (well, nearly everyone) assembled at noon at west Huntington’s Colonial Lanes to compete in a friendly bowling match. Given the fact that consumers bowl on a regular basis, its no wonder their scores were so high! Photos of the event will be described to you in a few moments.

This Spring - on, or about April 20th, CWAB will be featured in a new "Help Us Grow" billboard campaign. Our first ‘board’ this year will be at 1st st. and 7th ave. viaduct. Our sign will face the southerly direction. Other locations will be announced as the time draws closer. There is a representation of this year’s billboard in the printed edition. It too will be described shortly.

Until next month ......

We now know that children are able to see as soon as they are born. We also know that for the visual system to develop properly, children need input from both eyes. If there is some problem which interferes with vision, the connections from the eye to the brain can become weak.

The eyes also should be used together for normal vision. Eyes turning or crossing can interfere with this normal functioning of the visual system. Because of our understanding of the importance of normal vision in infants, and because of our abilities to earlier recognize and treat problems, we are now interested in examining younger children if the parents or pediatrician feels that there may be some problem.

A child's eye examination begins by discussing with the parents the problems as they recognize them. It is especially important to find out if there were problems with the pregnancy or with the child's birth. It is also extremely important to have an understanding of whether the child's growth and development are felt to be proceeding normally. It is often quite useful to know if there is a tendency for eye problems to run in the child's family. What is the child's health in general? Are there other medical problems which are being looked after? Has the child had any treatment with medications or prior surgeries or procedures? Does the child have allergies? If your child has been treated with medications, glasses or contact lenses, they should be brought to the examination as well. It is also necessecary to have the names and addresses of other physicians who may be treating your child so that they may be informed of the exams findings.

Many parents are quite surprised to learn eye exams can be safely performed on children, especially young children who may not know their alphabet or even babies who cannot speak. Assessments of a child's vision may be made by watching your child follow lights or toys. A skilled ophthalmologist can get a good idea how well your child can see based on the way your child uses their eyes.

In some special situations, measurements can be made of your child's vision based on brainwave measurements while your child watches striped patterns or by observing the way your child looks at black and white stripes on flashcards.

No matter how the vision is tested, It is important to check each eye separately because it is not uncommon for a child to have an eye which does not see as well as the other eye, a condition called arnblyopia or "lazy eye."

For older children who can talk but who do not yet know their numbers or the alphabet, pictures of common items can identified. Some charts use pictures such as birthday cakes and telephones, and others require the child to point to a letter which matches the letter on the chart. These tests have the ability to show your child smaller and smaller items to get an idea of his or her visual acuity.

The colored part of your eye is the iris. The black hole in the center of your iris is the pupil and this usually enlarges in darkness and gets smaller in bright light. Your child's ophthalmologist can use this pupil reflex to see if the eyes are working properly. During this portion of the examination, the ophthalmologist will be looking closely at the other areas around the eyes such as the eyelids and the tear canals that drain tears into the nose.

The tiny flashlight can also be used to see if your child's eyes are straight or turned. If your child is looking straight at the flashlight, it will reflect off the front of your child's eyes in a way to tell whether the eyes are turned or straight. This is often quite confusing in young infants because wide noses may make straight eyes look crossed. In older children, one eye is covered and then the other and, if the eyes are truly crossed, they will jump back and forth to stay in focus on the light or the toy. There are wedge shaped pieces of clear plastic called prisms which can be used to measure how much turning in or out of the eyes there is, if it is present.

One of the least enjoyable but most essential portions of the eye exam is the dilation of the pupil. This not only allows the ophthalmologist to view the inside of the eye, but the dilating drops temporarily prevent the child from focusing the lens of the eye. As we age, the ability to change focus is gradually lost. Adults begrudgingly accept this fact and need to use bifocal lenses to allow them to see things clearly up close. Children have enormous range of focusing and parents are often needlessly worried when a child holds objects up close.

The dilating drops temporarily prevent the child from using this incredible focusing power so that the child's eyes can be accurately measured for nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Most doctors have preferences for the dilating drops which work best for them. All take about 30 minutes to an hour to be fully effective. It may be necessary to have special drops put in at home and to return for a dilated exam.

Even though your child may not wish to talk at this point or may even be asleep during the exam, the ophthalmologist with his small lenses and funny-looking long flashlight (called the retinoscope) can determine if your child's eyes are out-of-focus. By shining a dim light into the eye, the eye's reflection can be seen, and by holding lenses up to this reflection, it can be determined whether the child is nearsighted, farsighted or has astigmatism. It's a different technique than ophthalmologists use to fit glasses for older folks but it is nonetheless very accurate.

Now that your child's pupils are dilated, your ophthalmologist can get a very good look at the inner eye structures. The inside of the eye holds the retina which functions much as film does in a camera, processing the visual information into signals which are sent down the optic nerve to the brain. The optic nerve itself can be seen in the back of the eye as well as the blood vessels which supply the retina. Special instruments allow the inside the eye to be seen in great detail. One type of light fits on the ophthalmologist's head and looks like the headlight a miner might wear underground. Another instrument is held between your child's eye and the ophthalmologist's eye.

There are lots of other tests which can be used in special situations if they are required. There are tests employing X-rays or ultrasound. There are tests which can measure the electrical activity of the eye much as the EKG measures the electrical activity of the heart. All these tests can be useful in specific situations.

Eye drops will wear off naturally. In the past drops were used to "reverse the dilating drops," It has now been determined this is usually not a good idea. Your child's pupils will stay dilated for about one day (in the case of the office administered drops) or perhaps a week or two in the case of atropine drops.

There is no reason to restrict your child's activities in any way. Adults are sometimes given dark glasses to wear home after their eyes have been dilated but these are not usually necessary in children. An older child will notice that his or her vision is blurry for about 12 hours. It is not a good idea to expect an older child to do homework or reading during this time.

Your ophthalmologist will give you instructions about treatment with glasses or patches or follow-up visits. If you have any questions, they can be either saved for the next visit or you can call your doctor, especially if there is any confusion over the treatment plan.

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding and appreciation of your child's eye exam.

Accidents resulting in eye injuries can happen to anyone. But the fact is, over half of the victims are under the age of twenty-five. Many of these injuries, over 100,000 annually, occur during sports or recreational activities. Perhaps the most startling statistic of all is that 90% of all eye injuries could have been prevented.

Parents are advised to acquaint themselves with potentially dangerous situations at home and in school, and to insist that their children use protective eye wear when participating in sports or other hazardous activities.

Increasing numbers of children are participating in sports at an early age. It is the responsibility of the parents and coaches to provide protective eyewear and enforce its use.

Some sports in which children should be made to use protective eyewear are:

Contact lenses are not a form of eyewear protection, and contact lens wearers require additional protection when participating in sports.

In baseball, hockey and lacrosse, a helmet with a polycarbonate (an especially strong, shatterproof, lightweight plastic) face mask or wire shield should be worn at all times. It is important that hockey face masks be approved by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

Sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses and side shields should be worn when participating in basketball, racquetball, tennis and soccer. Choose goggles that have been approved by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) or that pass the CSA racquetsport standard.

While skiing, protective glasses or goggles that filter out UV and excessive sunlight can be useful in shielding the eyes from sunburn.

Boxing poses an extremely high risk of serious and even blinding eye injury. No adequate protection is available, although thumbless gloves may reduce the number of eye injuries.

Parents of a child with permanently reduced vision in one eye should carefully consider the risks of contact sports and injury to the good eye before allowing their child to participate.

To provide the safest environment for your children, select games and toys that are appropriate for your child's age and responsibility level.

Provide adequate supervision and instruction when your children are handling potentially dangerous items, such as pencils, scissors and pen knives. Be aware that even common household items such as paper clips, elastic cords, wire coat hangers, rubber bands and fishhooks can cause serious eye injury.

Avoid projectile toys such as darts and bows and arrows. Do not allow your children to play with air powered rifles, pellet guns or B-B guns. They are extremely dangerous and have been reclassified as firearms and removed from toy departments.

Keep all chemicals and sprays out of reach of small children.

Do not allow children to ignite fireworks or stand near others who are doing so. All fireworks are potentially dangerous for children of any age.

Do not allow children in the yard while a lawnmower is being operated. Stones and debris thrown from moving blades can cause severe eye injuries.

Demonstrate the use of protective eyewear to children by always wearing protective eyewear yourself while using power tools, rotary mowers, line lawn trimmers or hammering on metal.

When participating in shop or some science labs, students should wear protective goggles that meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87 safety code.

Children with good vision in only one eye should wear safety glasses to protect the good eye even if they do not need glasses otherwise. These lenses should be made of polycarbonate and be 3mm thick.

Choosing a plastic or polycarbonate frame will reduce the risk of injury from the frames themselves. Frames which meet the ANSI standards offer the best available protection for general spectacle wear.

Prescription lenses can be fitted into some types of sports goggles, but frames without any lenses do not provide adequate protection.

When an eye injury does occur, it is always best to have an ophthalmologist (eye physician and surgeon), or other medical doctor examine the eye as soon as possible. The seriousness of an eye injury may not be immediately obvious.

There are several inset photos with this article. Photos represent protective eyewear for children who participate in sports activities.

A national eye health campaign devoted to promote the Vision objectives in "Healthy People 2010", is sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI) and the National Eye Health Educational Program. The NEI is part of the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The focus of Healthy Vision Month 2004 is based on "Healthy People 2010 Vision Objective 28-5": Reduce visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy. Millions of people with diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness. Early detection, timely treatment, and follow-up care can reduce the risk of vision loss by 95 percent.

Please join in during Healthy Vision Month to educate people with diabetes about the importance of taking care of their vision.

For more details, visit: www.healthyvision2010.org.

A preliminary clinical trial, conducted by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), found that an investigational treatment for uveitis (pronounced yoo-vee-eye-tis) seems to have many fewer side effects than existing therapies, leading to improved quality of life for patients with this potentially blinding disease. Accounting for an estimated 10-15 percent of blindness in the United States, uveitis is a condition in which tissues in the eye become inflamed. If not properly treated, chronic inflammation causes scarring and leads to irreversible vision loss.

Currently, people with severe uveitis must take steroids or other drugs that suppress the immune system to control the inflammation. Unfortunately, these powerful drugs can have many serious side effects, such as kidney dysfunction, glaucoma, osteoporosis, increased blood sugar, elevated blood pressure, and weight gain. Because their immune systems are compromised, patients must also limit contact with other people to avoid contagious illnesses. Obviously, current therapies for uveitis severely diminish a patient's quality of life.

The clinical trial results, published in a recent issue of the Journal of Autoimmunity, found that once monthly intravenous infusions with an immune therapy drug called daclizumab controlled uveitis and was well tolerated in seven of 10 patients over a four-year period. The study authors also found initial evidence that a formulation of daclizumab (da-KLIZ-yoo-mab)

that can be injected under the skin conferred similar results. This might allow patients to administer the drug to themselves at home, making the treatment even more convenient.

"Daclizumab offers the promise of a safe, well-tolerated and effective long-term therapy for uveitis. We are now in the planning stages to begin a larger clinical trial to compare standard therapies with daclizumab," said Dr. Paul Sieving, director of the National Eye Institute (NEI), which is part of the NIH.

NEI researchers are pioneering much of the effort to better understand uveitis in order to develop safer and more effective therapies. Although the causes of uveitis vary, the majority of cases are thought to be autoimmune in nature. Autoimmune diseases are conditions where the body's immune system attacks parts of the body. Previous laboratory studies at the NEI found that T helper cells, which normally help fight harmful bacteria and viruses, initiate an immune response in the eye. Further work observed that the T helper cells that attack the eye have large numbers of interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptors on their surface. This receptor activates the cell and acts like an alarm bell to recruit other immune cells into the eye, resulting in sight-threatening inflammation.

In laboratory studies, NEI investigators, collaborating with researchers from the National Cancer Institute, found that daclizumab, which blocks IL-2 receptors and thereby prevents the immune response triggered by T helper cells, showed promise in treating an experimental model of uveitis. Previously approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in preventing organ rejection in patients receiving kidney transplants, daclizumab's safety profile is already well characterized. These factors paved the way for FDA approval to begin the present clinical trial.

Dr. Thomas Waldmann, a co-author of the current study and chief of the Metabolism Branch of the NIH's National Cancer Institute, previously discovered much of the role IL-2 receptors play in the immune system and subsequently developed daclizumab.

"I am pleased to be involved in the planning and execution of these laboratory studies and clinical trials. Daclizumab holds great promise in treating patients with uveitis," Dr. Waldmann said.

The discovery of the central role of these T helper cells carrying large numbers of IL-2 receptors in uveitis and the potential value of daclizumab has also spurred intense research activity in other autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis, in which similar immune mechanisms have been implicated. Preliminary results with daclizumab have also been encouraging and clinical trials are proceeding.

Dr. Robert Nussenblatt, lead author of the study and chief of the Immunology Laboratory at the NEI, said, "Our work in uveitis has cross-pollinated several medical research fields. We are very proud that our contributions have allowed the understanding of autoimmune disease to bloom."

The National Eye Institute (NEI) conducts and supports research that leads to sight-saving treatments and plays a key role in reducing visual impairment and blindness. The NEI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

There are two photos with this article. The first is an color artwork drawing of th anatomy of the humen eye - while the second smaller inser photo os a representation of the eye with uvitis.

Washington, DC -- More Americans than ever are facing the threat of blindness from age-related eye disease, a new report says. Over one million Americans aged 40 and over are currently blind and an additional 2.4 million are visually impaired. These numbers are expected to double over the next 30 years as the Baby Boomer generation ages.

The Vision Problems in the U.S. report on the prevalence of sight-threatening eye disease in Americans was released today by the National Eye Institute, in partnership with Prevent Blindness America.

"Blindness and visual impairment from most eye diseases and disorders can be reduced with early detection and treatment," U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson. "That's why eye health education programs that encourage those at high risk for eye disease to have regular dilated eye exams are essential in preventing vision loss. Healthy vision is a shared responsibility among the government, health care providers, community leaders, and the public."

The director of the National Eye Institute, Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., called for an increase in public attention to eye disease. "About one in eight Americans is 65 or older," Dr. Sieving said. "When you add declining mortality rates and population shifts,

such as the 'baby boomers,' the number of older people will grow dramatically in the years ahead. Blindness and vision impairment represent not only a significant burden to those affected by sight loss, but also to the national economy as well."

The new report addresses the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness in the U.S., including:

Diabetic retinopathy, believed to be a leading cause of blindness in the industrialized world in people between the ages of 25 and 74. Diabetic retinopathy affects more than 5.3 million Americans age 18 and older.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of blindness and vision impairment in Americans aged 60 and older. More than 1.6 million Americans over age 60 have advanced AMD.

Cataract, the leading cause of blindness in the world. Cataract affects nearly 20.5 million Americans age 65 and older.

Glaucoma, a chronic disease that often requires life-long treatment to control. About 2.2 million Americans have been diagnosed with glaucoma, nd another two million do not know they have it.

The Vision Problems in the U.S. study was the result of a 2001 consensus meeting, convened by the National Eye Institute and involving many of the world's leading ophthalmic epidemiologists. Data were obtained from a systematic review of the major epidemiological studies with the cooperation of their authors. National data are broken down into state-by-state statistics.

"These are the most comprehensive data available on the prevalence of eye disease in America," said David S. Friedman, M.D., M.P.H., principal investigator of the study, and Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University. "We hope this information will serve as a guide to our communities and our nation's leaders. We must comprehend the scope of eye problems in our country so that adequate resources can be devoted to research, treatment, and prevention."

A copy of the full report is available in downloadable format at www.preventblindness.org and www.nei.nih.gov/eyedata

The leading causes of vision impairment and blindness in the U.S. are diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY is a common complication of diabetes. Retinal blood vessels can break down, leak, or become blocked, affecting and impairing vision over time. Nearly half of all people with diabetes will develop some degree of diabetic retinopathy during their lifetime, and risk increases with age and duration of diabetes. People with diabetes are encouraged to seek annual dilated eye exams. Currently, laser surgery and a procedure called a vitrectomy are highly effective in treating diabetic retinopathy. Research into pharmaceutical treatment options is continuing.

AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION is a condition that primarily affects the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision. There are two forms of AMD -- dry AMD and wet AMD. Because AMD often damages central vision, it is the most common cause of legal blindness and vision impairment in older Americans (AMD rarely affects those under the age of 60). While there is no generally accepted treatment for dry AMD, laser therapies to destroy leaking blood vessels can help reduce the risk of advancing vision loss in many cases of wet AMD. Research sponsored by the National Eye Institute has recently shown that a combination of zinc, vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene may also reduce the risk of advanced AMD by 25 percent.

CATARACT is a clouding of the eye's naturally clear lens. Most cataracts appear with advancing age. Scientists are unsure what causes cataract. The most important factor is increasing age, but there are additional factors, including smoking, diabetes, and excessive exposure to sunlight. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world, and affects nearly 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older. By age 80, more than half of all Americans develop cataract. Cataract is sometimes considered a conquered disease because surgical treatment that can eliminate vision loss due to the disease is widely available. However, cataract still accounts for a significant amount of vision impairment in the U.S., particularly among people age 65 and over who may have difficulty accessing appropriate eye care.

GLAUCOMA is a disease that causes gradual damage to the optic nerve, that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. The loss of vision is not experienced until a significant amount of nerve damage has occurred. For this reason, as many as half of all people with glaucoma are unaware of their disease. About 2.2 million Americans age 40 and older have been diagnosed with glaucoma, and another two million do not know they have it. Most cases of glaucoma can be controlled and vision loss slowed or halted by timely diagnosis and treatment. However, any vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored.

The National Eye Institute (NEI) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is the Federal government's lead agency for vision research. NEI-supported research leads to sight-saving treatments and plays a key role in reducing visual impairment and blindness. The NIH is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, community and patient service programs and research.

There are seven photos associated with this article. These photos give the sighted reader an insight to how individuals with varying vision problems see the world.

The first - and larger of the group - shows two young boys. Both are smiling. One is holding a basketball-sized ball while the other is holding a soccer ball. The caption reads "Normal Vision" Each of the following is the same photo, but with different effects.

Beginning at the top left of the next page representation of Retinitis Pigmentosa - the entire photo is black except for a fifty-cent size "hole" in the center of vision that is clear.

Continuing down the column, the next photo is labeled "cataract" and is completely out of focus.

The last photo in the left-side column is labeled "age-related Macular Degeneration." This image has a large "burn-like" spot in the center of vision.  Beginning at the top right, the caption reads "Glaucoma." The photo has a clear irregularly-shaped center while the outer edges are a faded smokey grey color.

In the middle on the right the caption reads "Diabetic Retinopathy." This picture has a number of spots or splotches throughout making it very difficult to determine detail in the picture.

And finally, the captioned photo reads "Myopia." This picture is characterized by soft blurring or out-of-focus areas on the picture’s outer edge.

The word "albinism" refers to a group of inherited conditions. People with albinism have little or no pigment in their eyes, skin, or hair. They have inherited genes that do not make the usual amounts of a pigment called melanin.

One person in 17,000 in the U.S.A. has some type of albinism. Albinism affects people from all races. Most children with albinism are born to parents who have normal hair and eye color for their ethnic backgrounds. Often people do not recognize that they have albinism.

A common myth is that by definition people with albinism have red eyes. In fact there are different types of albinism, and the amount of pigment in the eyes varies. Although some individuals with albinism have reddish or violet eyes, most have blue eyes. Some have hazel or brown eyes.

People with albinism always have problems with vision, and many have low vision. Many are "legally blind," but most use their vision for reading, and do not use braille. Some have vision good enough to drive a car.

Vision problems in albinism result from abnormal development of the retina and abnormal patterns of nerve connections between the eye and the brain. It is the presence of these eye problems that defines the diagnosis of albinism. Therefore the main test for albinism is simply an eye exam.

Ocular albinism in an inherited condition in which the eyes lack melanin pigment, while the skin and hair show normal or near-normal coloration.

The lack of pigment in the eyes causes various vision problems:

• Reduced visual acuity from 20/60 to 20/400 and sometimes as good as 20/25 in African-Americans, 

• Nystagmus - involuntary back-and-forth movement of the eyes, 

• Strabismus - crossed eyes or "lazy" eye, and 

• Sensitivity to bright light and glare. 

The reduced visual acuity may result in difficulty in school, such as inability to read what is written on a chalkboard except when very close, and difficulty with ball sports. It may also result in inability to drive.

With ocular albinism, the color of the iris of the eye may vary from blue to green or even brown, and sometimes darkens with age. However, when an eye doctor examines the eye by shining a light from the side of the eye, the light shines back through the iris since very little pigment is present. There may be areas of the iris which have very little pigment.

The main problem with the eye in ocular albinism is in the fovea, small area of the retina which affords acute vision. With ocular albinism, the fovea does not develop completely, presumably because melanin pigment is needed for the growth processes that normally occur before birth. Therefore the eye cannot process sharp light images. Because the fovea does not develop well, it is difficult to correct vision completely with glasses.

Another defect in ocular albinism is that nerves from the back of the eye to the brain do not follow the usually pattern of routing. From the normal eye, nerve fibers go to both sides of the brain, that is, the same side as the eye and the side opposite from the eye. From the eye with ocular albinism, more of the nerve fibers cross from the eye to the opposite side of the brain. A test called a visually evoked potential, which is performed like an EEG or brain wave test, can show this difference. These eye problems are very similar to those of oculocutaneous albinism (albinism which involves the skin and hair as well as the eye).

In most cases ocular albinism is X-linked, which means the gene for it is on the X chromosome. X-linked ocular albinism occurs almost exclusively in males. Each time a mother who carries the gene for ocular albinism gives birth to a son, there is a 1 in 2 chance that the son will have ocular albinism. Mothers who carry the gene may have mottled pigmentation in the back of their eyes, but do not have the full syndrome of ocular albinism. An ophthalmologist may be able to identify this mottling in about 80% of cases. X-linked ocular albinism is also called Nettleship-Falls ocular albinism.A less common type of ocular albinism shows a different pattern of inheritance, autosomal recessive.  With this type of inheritance, both parents of a child with autosomal recessive ocular albinism carry the gene for it. Boys and girls are equally affected. If both mother and father carry the gene, then at each birth there is a one in four chance that the child will have ocular albinism. Newer research suggests that autosomal recessive ocular albinism is a variant of oculocutaneous albinism. The skin and hair color may be somewhat lighter than that of other family members. Autosomal recessive ocular albinism may be a variant of either tyrosinase-related (type 1) or P gene (type 2) oculocutaneous albinism (see Information Bulletin, What is Albinism?).

Researchers have identified some, but not all of the DNA defects in ocular albinism. Therefore blood tests to identify genes for various types of albinism are not conclusive enough to be used for genetic counseling. Most of the time an ophthalmologist can identify a carrier of the X-linked albinism gene by seeing mottling of pigment in her retinas. If this mottling is not apparent, research labs can examine a hair bulb or skin biopsy from a child. This will show unusually large granules of pigment in X-linked ocular albinism, but not in autosomal recessive ocular albinism.

Those with questions about their own situation and inheritance of ocular albinism should seek a genetic counselor. Many parents of children with ocular albinism decide to have more children. These parents find their children can function well despite their visual disabilities if they are provided with appropriate support and services.

Treatment of ocular albinism includes using visual aids and environmental changes to expand the limits of vision. Surgery for strabismus is sometimes helpful, but usually does not result in fine coordination of the eyes. Surgery can improve the field of vision if the eyes are crossed, and may improve appearance and the child’s self image.

The choice of optical aids for a child or adult is an individual one. Some children may do well with ordinary glasses. For older children and adults, glasses with small telescopes mounted on the lenses may help with both close and distant vision. Contact lenses sometimes provide additional correction that glasses cannot.

Also important in the treatment of ocular albinism is attention to emotional and social adjustment. Often parents and people with ocular albinism feel anger and shame about the condition and try to deny it or pretend it does not exist. This denial can result in the person with albinism experiencing low self esteem, difficulties in relationships with others, and low functioning in school and work.

It is important for parents of a child with ocular albinism to learn as much as possible about the condition. and about low vision. Parents must be open and honest with the child, family members, friends, and others about the child’s low vision and the reason for it.

At the beginning of this article in the printed edition there is a photo representation of the inside of the eye being affected by ocular albinism.

Scholarships for the blind and visually impaired are made available through a grant from the Teubert Foundation, a charitable trust whose assistance helps fund the programs of CWAB's Services Division.

These scholarships are open to any resident of Cabell and Wayne County, provided they are at least 18 years of age and meet the criteria for blindness and visual impairment.

Applications are available at the Services Division office at 38 Washington Ave., or by calling 522-6991.

Friday and Saturday, May 7th and 8^th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CWAB Services Division, 38 Washington Ave., Huntington, WV.

Call 522-6991 for donated rummage pick-up.

The dinner will consist of Pinto beans, cornbread, sauerkraut and wieners.

Come early for best selection!

VisuAide announces the release of Trekker 2.0, an enhanced version of its revolutionary GPS system for the blind, successfully introduced last year. The new version includes eagerly awaited features such as the motorized mode, allowing use in a moving vehicle, the route mode, which generates point-to-point itineraries, and the free mode, offering off-route information.

Trekker users can pinpoint exactly where they are, learn about area attractions, and find out how to get to specific destinations. GPS lets them know their location, anywhere in the world, with continually growing precision.

Fitting in the palm of the hand, Trekker offers the visually impaired greater freedom, raising their confidence in their ability to travel near or far, for business or pleasure. It also helps them access and enjoy the most valuable and interesting opportunities their surroundings have to offer.

An immediate standout following its entry on the market, Trekker is a software application operating on pocket PC (PDA) with WinCE fully adapted for the blind with talking menus, maps and GPS information. It includes features allowing blind persons to know their exact position, create itineraries and receive information while traveling to a destination on foot or in a vehicle. Trekker also offers a search feature for a database of points of interest such as restaurants, hotels, office buildings, etc.

Motorized Mode (for use in a moving vehicle)

Operating until now only in pedestrian mode, Trekker 2.0 can now be used in a moving vehicle. This allows the user to access information while traveling by taxi or bus, to know in advance intersections to be crossed, when a destination is approaching and what route the driver is following.

Route Mode (Trekker gives an itinerary from point A to point B.)

Trekker can now provide an itinerary for traveling to a precise location by simply entering the addresses of the departure point and destination. It's also possible to consult the provided itinerary in Browsing Offline mode to learn the total distance of the route or a route segment.

Free Mode (to receive and enter information in a non-covered zone)

This feature allows reception and entry of information when away from street networks, such as parks, sporting areas, parking lots, university campuses, etc. The user can create points of interest, for instance, and find out the main thoroughfares surrounding.

"Trekker is the full-featured stand-alone orientation product for the blind with the lowest acquisition cost on the market," says VisuAide CEO Gilles Pepin. The product operates on a iPAQ 3950 pocket PC (PDA) and requires no specialized equipment.

With Trekker, visually impaired persons increase independence and confidence in the ability to travel in their own environment, or anywhere else, in the pursuit of business or pleasure.

VisuAide (www.visuaide.com) is the leading innovation firm in providing high-tech solutions for the blind and visually impaired. VisuAide is the world leader in digital audio book solutions for the print disabled. It develops and manufactures the Victor Reader line of hardware and software audio players. The company also commercializes Trekker, a GPS-based orientation and mobility product for the visually impaired. VisuAide is the largest distributor of computer aids for the visually disabled in Canada.

info@visuaide.com

Toll free: 1-888-723-7273

CWAB craft class prepares baskets for Easter. The class, meets on a regular basis to allow consumers the opportunity to develop basket crafting skills under the direction of Heather McComas and Linda Worthy.

The article features nine photos taken during a recent craft class. Photos were taken of each consumer during completition of their project.

The annual consumer vs. staff bowling tournament was held Saturday, March 20th. The day began with participants enjoying delicious pancakes as served by the East Huntington KIWANIS Club during their annual pancake breakfast at Veterans Memorial Field House in Huntington. After everyone had their fill - just before noon - the activities moved to Colonial Lanes in West Huntington where a large number of consumers and staff gathered to square off in a closely scored bowling match.

"Some of our consumers bowl every week so their scores are quite high," commented Linda Worthy CWAB Recreation co-ordinator. "Competition is tough," grinned Paul Slone Executive Director for the organization.

Afterwards awards were given in various categories amidst applause and cheers by everyone.

There are numerous photos in the printed edition taken during bowling competition Saturday, March 20^th.

These creatures take on a character of their own after careful customization. The "dogs" can be fashioned to represent virtually any sports team color combination! Reserve yours by calling 304-522-6991.

Lt. John Blue's war in West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley by Dan Oates - Narrated by Dave McLain. Relive the travels of Lt. Blue through the Battle of Gettysburg, to life in four Confederate prisons.

CWAB is offering its March 29, 2001 Gospel Concert on CD or tape.

Featured performances by: Kayla Carter, Kermit Nance, Patty Aldridge, Lisa Blankenship, The Bible Apostolic Church Choir, and Redeemed.

The Services Division of Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind is making available for any consumer, an internet-ready computer and a CCTV. The equipment is available for any consumer to wishes to visit the office at 38 Washington Ave. The only stipulations are the use must be scheduled with Lori Spears and there is no printer attached. For information, call 522-6991

There is a more-than-half-page photo with this article. The picture shows the mentioned computer and CCTV.

Support groups provide a vital link between news, information, social activities, and friendship between individuals with the same interests. Transportation is provided free to any CWAB consumer. Support groups regularly meet in CWAB’s activities room with many taking the opportunity to take special trips to area places of interest. Volunteers are always welcome to assist with arrangements such as snacks, crafts, or being a sighted guide. For information on support groups or volunteering, call the Services Division at 522-6991.

There is a photo with this article. The picture shows a group of CWAB consumers seated around a table as taken during a recent support group meeting.

Bowling is a fun, non-athletic sport. Experience is not necessary to have a good time! Bowlers meet each Monday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m at Colonial Lanes on West Fifth Avenue in Huntington. At least four consumers are needed.

Weekly volunteers are also welcome. For more information, call Linda Worthy at 522-6991.

Some recent consumer weekly HIGH Scores:

• Eddy Adkins, 173

• Bill Sayre, 152

• Victor Milner, 136

• Ronnie Kinser, 134

• Brandon Grayson, 122

• Christi Blankenship, 122

• Kim Blake 88

CWAB Executive Director, Paul Slone, joins "Tri-State Today" host Geof Sturm each month for discussion, interviews and up-to-date information about services and activities from Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind.

Tri-State Today can be heard Wednesday evenings at 7:30 on WEMM

A popular outdoor awareness campaign will again grace billboards of Cabell and Wayne County this year. CWAB’s Media-Marketing Manager Jerry Crabtree announced recently RCOA (River City Outdoor advertising - a subsidiary of Kanawha Valley Advertising Company in Charleston) will again handle billboards for Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind.

"We are thrilled that this year our ‘boards’ will be in color," Crabtree said. "With a representation of our proposed new facility appearing as well, the ten-foot by twenty foot display becomes equally impressive." he continued.

These outdoor messages should begin ti appear this Spring.

There is a half-page vertically positioned representation of the billboard with this article. The billboard features the words "Gelp Us Grow" in large red letters at its top with a drawing of the proposed new building centered in the middle. "Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind building fund now accepting donations" is in bold black lettering underneath the building drawing while "Call 304-522-6991 to lean more" is highlighted in white text on a red box background.

• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour, 2 tsp. Baking Powder

• 3/4 tsp. Salt, 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, softened

• 1 cup Splenda® Granular, 2 Large Eggs

• 1 tsp. Vanilla, 1/2 cup Low Fat Milk

• 1 1/2 cups Blueberries, 1 large Egg White

• 1 cup Sliced Almonds, 3 Tbsp. Splenda® Granular

Preparation Time: 15 min. - Baking Time: 50-60 min. -  Makes: 12 servings

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Lightly oil an 8X8 inch baking dish. Set aside.

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Beat together butter, 1 cup Splenda® Granular, and vanilla with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in whole eggs one at a time. Alternately add flour mixture and milk in batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix well. Fold in berries.

Spoon batter into baking dish. Lightly beat egg white with fork. Add remaining 3 Tbsp. Splenda® Granular and sliced almonds. Stir until almonds are lightly coated. Spoon topping over batter.

Bake 50-60 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool in pan on rack approx. 10 minutes.

GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE supporters are important. They provide goods and services, and offer support for this publication in some small way. If, in the course of your day, you patronize one of our sponsors, please tell them you saw their name mentioned in the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE, and let them know how much you appreciate their support.

Call CWAB’s Services Division office at 522-6991, ext. 15 to learn how you can be a supporter of the GUIDE PAGE MAGAZINE!

Please remember Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind when you write your will or would like to make other charitable gifts.

Contact Paul Slone, Executive Director at (304) 522-6991.

All donations to CWAB are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

<RETURN>

All material contained on this website is the sole property of CWAB, Inc. and may not be copied, reprinted, or otherwise redistributed without the prior written consent of CWAB, Inc.

(C) 2000 CABELL-WAYNE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND

All Rights Reserved