Talk about low vision slated at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Griffin Hospital and Lions Club of Connecticut will host “Taking a Look at Low Vision,” a free talk, on Feb. 21./ Submitted photo 

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host “Taking a Look at Low Vision,” from 11 a.m.-noon Feb. 21.

The free talk will discuss Low Vision, its causes and therapy options. 

Low Vision is a chronic medical condition affecting one in six adults over 45 years of age in which an individual has a degree of vision loss that can no longer be corrected by eye glasses, medicine or surgery. 
Individuals with low vision are not blind; however, they often have difficulty using their remaining vision efficiently and effectively enough to complete needed activities.

Leslie Prescott, MS, OTR/L, Griffin Hospital Occupational Therapist Specializing in Low Vision Rehabilitation, will explain Low Vision and its causes, discuss rehabilitation options, and provide information about Griffin Hospital’s Lions Low Vision Center, which provides free adaptive equipment and devices.

This program is part of a series of free, educational forums hosted by the Community Health Resource Center in an effort to help improve the health of the community. 

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah, 203-732-7399. The hospital is at 130 Division St.

For more information about the Lions Low Vision Center at Griffin Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services Department, call 203-732-7445 or visit griffinhealth.org or lionslowvisioncenters.org.

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle related materials. The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness and play an active role in decisions about their health.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Diabetes support group in Derby to host talk on low vision

The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host free presentations on low vision Nov. 14./ Contributed photo

DERBY- The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two free presentations about low vision at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Leslie Prescott and Fran Harmeyer, occupational therapists from Griffin Hospital Rehabilitation Services and the Lions Low Vision Center at Griffin Hospital, will present “Diabetes and Low Vision Occupational Therapy.” 

Low vision is a chronic medical condition affecting 1 in 6 adults over 45 years of age usually caused by macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Occupational therapy teaches persons with visual impairment to safely and independently complete the daily living tasks, and the Lions Low Vision Center offers adaptive devices free of charge.

The presentations will be in the hospital’s Childbirth Education Classroom A. There will be free valet parking for the 2:30 p.m. session.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September-June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges, and day-to-day dietary concerns. Individuals with diabetes and their caregivers are welcome to attend.

No registration is required. 

For more information, call Mary Swansiger, 203-732-1137.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby holds open house for new low vision center

Griffin Hospital and Lions Club of Fairfield and New Haven Counties recently cut the ribbon on a new Lions Low Vision Center at Griffin. 
Pictured from left: Lions Club members Tom DePalo and Leonard Berger, Jon Christensen, president, Lions Low Vision Centers of Fairfield and New Haven Counties, Occupational Therapists Leslie Prescott and Frances Harmeyer, and Myra Odenwaelder, DPT, director, Griffin Hospital's Rehabilitation Services Department. /Contributed photo
DERBY - Griffin Hospital and Lions Club of Fairfield and New Haven Counties recently opened the new Lions Low Vision Center at Griffin Hospital Rehabilitation Services at 350 Seymour Ave.

“This is the culmination of a truly excellent partnership between the Lions and Griffin Hospital to serve the area from Naugatuck to Bridgeport, which really wasn’t being served before today,” said Jon Christensen, president of the Lions Low Vision Centers of Fairfield and New Haven Counties.

The Low Vision Center assists individuals whose degree of vision loss can no longer be corrected by eye glasses, medicine or surgery. 
Common disorders that cause low vision include macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts. Symptoms of low vision are reduced reading vision, and deterioration in peripheral and color vision, and in the ability to adjust to changes in levels of light, contrast or glare.

Occupational therapists at the Center evaluate an individual’s degree of vision loss and make recommendations for vision aids and devices that are provided at no charge. 
Funding for the aids and devices are donated by the more than 50 local Lions Clubs in Fairfield and New Haven Counties.

According to Christensen, there are more than 58,000 individuals with Low Vision in Connecticut, including an estimated 8,500 in the Lower Naugatuck Valley and Greater Bridgeport area.

“Low Vision is a significant issue not just in the state, but right here in this community,” he said. “That’s why this new center at Griffin is so important.”

The center’s opening featured a talk by Dr. Joseph Sokol of Connecticut Eye Specialists in Shelton who stressed the need for adaptive devices for those with Low Vision.

“Assisting individuals with Low Vision at our new center is one of the most gratifying experiences and occupational therapist can have,” said Myra Odenwaelder, DPT, director of Griffin Hospital's Rehabilitation Services Department. “It’s an incredible feeling to provide our expertise to help people get back to doing activities they thought they would never be able to do again.”

For more information about the Lions Low Vision Center at Griffin Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services Department, call 203-732-7445 or visit griffinhealth.org or lionslowvisioncenters.org

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Open house planned for Lions Low Vision Center in Derby

DERBY - Griffin Hospital and Lions Club of Fairfield and New Haven Counties will host an open house for the new Lions Low Vision Center at Griffin Hospital Rehabilitation Services from 4-5:30 p.m. April 1 at the Hewitt Ambulatory Pavilion, 350 Seymour Ave. 

The Low Vision Center assists individuals whose degree of vision loss can no longer be corrected by eye glasses, medicine, or surgery. 

Occupational therapists at the Center evaluate an individual’s degree of vision loss and make recommendations for vision aids and devices that are provided at no charge. 

Funding for the aids and devices are donated by the more than 50 local Lions Clubs in Fairfield and New Haven Counties.

The open house will feature a short program by Dr. Joseph Sokol, of Connecticut Eye Specialists in Shelton, Griffin Hospital occupational therapists, and Lions Club members. 

There will be demonstrations of the adaptive equipment and time to speak with low vision experts. Light refreshments will be served.

Common disorders that cause low vision include macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts. Symptoms of low vision are reduced reading vision, and deterioration in peripheral and color vision, and in the ability to adjust to changes in levels of light, contrast or glare.

“We are both excited and proud to join with the Lions Clubs of Connecticut for such a worthy cause,” said Myra Odenwaelder, DPT, director of Griffin Hospital's Rehabilitation Services Department. “Low vision affects so many people in our community, state, and country, and we are happy to provide our expertise in helping people be able to see better and improve their quality of life.”

RSVP to the open house at 203-732-7445 by March 28.

For more information about the Lions Low Vision Center at Griffin Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services Department, call 203-732-7445 or visit griffinhealth.org or lionslowvisioncenters.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.