CNIB launches comprehensive new vision health guide
Groundbreaking publication aims to be “one-stop shopping” for Canadians with questions about their vision
CALGARY – Canadians who have questions and concerns about vision health now have the answers they need at their fingertips as CNIB launches a comprehensive new guide for older adults, their family members and friends, and health-care professionals.
You and Your Vision Health: Yes! Something More Can Be Done
is aimed at the growing number of people across Canada who have vision loss or are at risk of it because they are over 50. It was launched today by CNIB during the Canadian Association on Gerontology’s annual meeting in Calgary (November 1-3).
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 (AMD) 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 maintain independence.
The book is the first of its kind in Canada and includes information from scientific, medical and lay sources, plus feedback from seniors who share what they wished they had known when first diagnosed with eye disease. Information on coping with irreversible vision loss is included alongside risk factors, prevention, treatment and support services.
“The message that we want to get across is ‘Don’t panic; there’s hope and there’s help,” says Dr. Keith Gordon, Director of Research, CNIB. “Although it is true that vision loss can require a period of adjustment, it is quite possible to enjoy most of the same activities you did before you started to lose your vision.”
“Our goal was to produce a resource for people, particularly adults 50 and over, facing the possibility of, or already living with vision loss, that would address their real need for information and make it available to them in plain language, from one source,” says Dr. Deborah Gold, Associate Director, Research, CNIB and co-author of the book.
While vision loss affects Canadians of all ages, it is most prevalent among older people. In fact, the number of older Canadians with vision loss is expected to more than double in the next 25 years.
Production of this publication was made possible by a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Specially designed with a large font size and spiral binding that allows readers to flip the book open easily, You and Your Vision Health can be purchased for the retail price of $9.95 plus shipping and handling by calling 1-866-659-1843.
For further information please contact:
Communications Team
416-486-2500
info@cnib.ca