Podcasts about vision loss

Did you know that eye health is often overlooked, even though it's one of our most valuable senses? In this episode, Dr. Rudrani (Rani) Banik returns to go over how you can naturally prevent vision loss and protect your eyes. We discuss actionable steps you can take today, including which supplements for eye health are most effective, how to protect your eyes from blue light, and why proper nutrition is key. Dr. Rani is a board-certified integrative neuro-ophthalmologist. She focuses on the root cause of eye diseases and employs strategies that incorporate nutrition, botanicals, lifestyle modifications, and supplements to address issues like macular degeneration and cataracts.  Dr. Rani is the author of two best-selling books: Beyond Carrots - Best Foods For Eye Health A to Z and Dr. Rani's Visionary Kitchen. She is also the founder of The Eye Health Summit™, which is scheduled to take place in the first week of May 2025. Tune in and discover how to safeguard your vision and live a vibrant, active life today!   “Get your eye check-ups even if you feel that there's nothing problematic. Go to the eye doctor once a year after the age of 40." ~ Dr. Rudrani Banik   In this episode: - [02:28] - Meet the expert in vision health - [05:05] - Three common eye conditions associated with aging - [06:38] - How nutrition affects your eye health - [10:45] - Supplements for eye health: what works - [16:45] - Tips to minimize the negative impact of blue light on vision - [27:32] - What to do if you have glaucoma - [31:36] - When to see an eye doctor - [34:27] - Details about the upcoming Eye Health Summit  - [42:55] - Where to learn more about Dr. Rani    Resources mentioned - The Eye Health Summit - https://tinyurl.com/eyehealthsummit - Dr. Rani's website - https://www.drranibanik.com/ - Osteoporosis Exercises to Strengthen Your Bones and Prevent Fractures (free) - https://www.happyboneshappylife.com/osteoporosis-exercises-to-strengthen-your-bones-and-prevent-fractures-1   More about Margie - Website - https://margiebissinger.com/  - Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Margie-Bissinger-MS-PT-CHC-100063542905332/  - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/margiebissinger/?hl=en    DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast.   *In compliance with the FTC guidelines, please assume the following about links on this site: Some of the links going to products are affiliate links of which I receive a small commission from sales of certain items, but the price is the same for you (sometimes, I even get to share a unique discount with you). If I post an affiliate link to a product, it is something that I personally use, support, and would recommend. I personally vet each and every product. My first priority is providing valuable information and resources to help you create positive changes in your health and bring more happiness into your life. I will only ever link to products or resources (affiliate or otherwise) that fit within this purpose.

BUFFALO, NY — April 14, 2025 — A new #research paper was #published in Aging (Aging-US) Volume 17, Issue 3, on March 4, 2025, titled “Deciphering age-related transcriptomic changes in the mouse retinal pigment epithelium.” The study, led by first authors Sushil K. Dubey and Rashmi Dubey with corresponding author Mark E. Kleinman from East Tennessee State University, reveals that aging causes inflammation, oxidative stress, and gene disruption in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a vital layer of cells in the eye. These changes may explain why older adults are more vulnerable to age-related eye diseases. The researchers also developed a human cell model to study retinal aging and test future therapies. The RPE plays a key role in maintaining retinal health. It recycles light-sensitive molecules, supports the visual cycle, and protects the retina from damage. When this layer becomes damaged, vision problems such as age-related macular degeneration can develop. In this study, researchers compared gene activity in RPE cells from young and aged mice. They found that aging increased the activity of genes involved in immune system responses, inflammation, and oxidative stress, three known triggers of tissue damage. At the same time, genes related to vision and light detection became less active, weakening the RPE's ability to support healthy vision. To reinforce these findings, the research team also aged human RPE cells in the lab. Over time, these cells showed the same patterns: inflammation increased, while genes tied to visual function decreased. This human cell model offers a practical way to explore how RPE degeneration happens over time and how it might be slowed down or reversed. The research also identified “hub genes,” which are central players of the gene networks involved in RPE aging. These are connected to immune signaling, oxidative damage, and changes in the eye's structural support. Many of these genes are already known to be involved in age-related retinal degeneration, so they may become important targets for future treatments aimed at protecting vision in older adults. “GO annotation of downregulated genes included processes related to visual perception, sensory perception of light stimulus, detection of light stimulus, detection of visible light, detection of external stimulus, detection of abiotic stimulus, phototransduction, cellular response to interferon-beta, response to interferon-beta, and response to light stimulus.” By mapping how the RPE changes with age at the molecular level, this study provides a clearer understanding of why aging leads to eye disease. It also introduces a reliable laboratory model that researchers can use to test new therapies. Altogether, the work is a key step toward developing treatments to slow or prevent vision loss tied to retinal aging. Read the full paper: DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206219 Corresponding author: Mark E. Kleinman- kleinman@etsu.edu Subscribe for free publication alerts from Aging - https://www.aging-us.com/subscribe-to-toc-alerts Keywords: aging, transcriptome, retinal pigment epithelium, oxidative stress, inflammation, chronological aging To learn more about the journal, please visit our website at https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us on social media at: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/ X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@AgingJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc Media Contact 18009220957 MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

The Importance of local sight charities can never be understated. The same goes for the importance of volunteers for these charities, as is proven with the case of Herts Vision loss whom thanks to their volunteers, have been awarded the King's Award For Voluntary Service. In this podcast Hubert speaks to the charity CEO to find out just how much this means to them. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB' written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio' is written in black in a smaller font. 

Diagnosing and differentiating among the many possible localizations and causes of vision loss is an essential skill for neurologists. The approach to vision loss should include a history and examination geared toward localization, followed by a differential diagnosis based on the likely location of the pathophysiologic process.  In this episode, Aaron Berkowitz, MD, PhD, FAAN speaks with Nancy J. Newman, MD, FAAN, author of the article “Approach to Vision Loss” in the Continuum® April 2025 Neuro-ophthalmology issue.  Dr. Berkowitz is a Continuum® Audio interviewer and a professor of neurology at the University of California San Francisco in the Department of Neurology and a neurohospitalist, general neurologist, and clinician educator at the San Francisco VA Medical Center at the San Francisco General Hospital in San Francisco, California.  Dr. Newman is a professor of ophthalmology and neurology at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia.  Additional Resources Read the article: Approach to Vision Loss Subscribe to Continuum®: shop.lww.com/Continuum  Earn CME (available only to AAN members): continpub.com/AudioCME  Continuum® Aloud (verbatim audio-book style recordings of articles available only to Continuum® subscribers): continpub.com/Aloud More about the American Academy of Neurology: aan.com  Social Media facebook.com/continuumcme  @ContinuumAAN  Host: @AaronLBerkowitz  Full episode transcript available here Dr Jones: This is Dr Lyell Jones, Editor-in-Chief of Continuum. Thank you for listening to Continuum Audio. Be sure to visit the links in the episode notes for information about earning CME subscribing to the journal, and exclusive access to interviews not featured on the podcast. Dr Berkowitz: This is Dr Aaron Berkowitz, and today I'm interviewing Dr Nancy Newman about her article on the approach to visual loss, which she wrote with Dr Valerie Biousse. This article appears in the April 2025 Continuum issue on neuro-ophthalmology. Welcome to the podcast, Dr Newman. I know you need no introduction, but if you wouldn't mind introducing yourself to our listeners. Dr Newman: Sure. My name's Nancy Newman. I am a neurologist and neuro-ophthalmologist, professor of ophthalmology and neurology at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr Berkowitz: You and your colleague Dr Biousse have written a comprehensive and practical article on the approach to visual loss here. It's fantastic to have this article by two of the world's leading experts and best-known teachers in neuro-ophthalmology. And so, readers of this article will find extremely helpful flow charts, tables and very nuanced clinical discussion about how to make a bedside diagnosis of the cause of visual loss based on the history exam and ancillary testing. We'll talk today about that important topic, and excited to learn from you and for our listeners to learn from you. To begin, let's start broad. Let's say you have a patient presenting with visual loss. What's your framework for the approach to this common chief concern that has such a broad differential diagnosis of localizations and of causes? Where do you start when you hear of visual loss? How do you think about this chief concern? Dr Newman: Well, it's very fun because this is the heart of being a neurologist, isn't it? Nowhere in the nervous system is localization as important as the complaint of vision loss. And so, the key, as any neurologist knows, is to first of all figure out where the problem is. And then you can figure out what it is based on the where, because that will limit the number of possibilities. So, the visual system is quite beautiful in that regard because you really can exquisitely localize based on figuring out where things are. And that starts with the history and then goes to the exam, in particular the first localization. So, you can whittle it down to the more power-for-your-buck question is, is the vision lost in one eye or in two eyes? Because if the vision loss clearly, whether it's transient or persistent, is in only one eye, then you only have to think about the eyeball and the optic nerve on that side. So, think about that. Why would you ever get a brain MRI? I know I'm jumping ahead here, but this is the importance of localization. Because what you really want to know, once you know for sure it's in one eye, is, is it an eyeball problem---which could be anything from the cornea, the lens, the vitreous, the retina---or is it an optic nerve problem? The only caveat is that every once in a while, although we trust our patients, a patient may insist that a homonymous hemianopia, especially when it's transient, is only in the eye with the temporal defect. So that's the only caveat. But if it's in only one eye, it has to be in that side eyeball or optic nerve. And if it's in two eyes, it's either in both eyeballs or optic nerves, or it's chiasmal or retrochiasmal. So that's the initial approach and everything about the history should first be guided by that. Then you can move on to the more nuanced questions that help you with the whats. Once you have your where, you can then figure out what the whats are that fit that particular where. Dr Berkowitz: Fantastic. And your article with Dr Biousse has this very helpful framework, which you alluded to there, that first we figure out, is it monocular or binocular? And we figure out if it's a transient or fixed or permanent deficit. So, you have transient monocular, transient binocular, fixed monocular, fixed binocular. And I encourage our listeners to seek out this article where you have a table for each of those, a flow chart for each of those, that are definitely things people want to have printed out and at their desk or on their phone to use at the bedside. Very helpful. So, we won't be able to go through all of those different clinical presentations in this interview, but let's focus on monocular visual loss. As you just mentioned, this can be an eye problem or an optic nerve problem. So, this could be an ophthalmologic problem or a neurologic problem, right? And sometimes this can be hard to distinguish. So, you mentioned the importance of the history. When you hear a monocular visual loss- and with the caveat, I said you're convinced that this is a monocular visual problem and not a visual field defect that may appear. So, the patient has a monocular deficit, how do you approach the history at trying to get at whether this is an eye problem or an optic nerve problem and what the cause may be? Dr Newman: Absolutely. So, the history at that point tends not to be as helpful as the examination. My mentor used to say if you haven't figured out the answer to the problem after your history, you're in trouble, because that 90% of it is history and 10% is the exam. In the visual system, the exam actually may have even more importance than anywhere else in the neurologic examination. And we need as neurologists to not have too much hubris in this. Because there's a whole specialty on the eyeball. And the ophthalmologists, although a lot of their training is surgical training that that we don't need to have, they also have a lot of expertise in recognizing when it's not a neurologic problem, when it's not an optic neuropathy. And they have all sorts of toys and equipment that can very much help them with that. And as neurologists, we tend not to be as versed in what those toys are and how to use them. So, we have to do what we can do. Your directive thalmoscope, I wouldn't throw it in the garbage, because it's actually helpful to look at the eyeball itself, not just the back of the eye, the optic nerve and retina. And we'll come back to that, but we have in our armamentarium things we can do as neurologists without having an eye doctor's office. These include things like visual acuity and color vision, confrontation, visual fields. Although again, you have to be very humble. Sometimes you're lucky; 30% of the time it's going to show you a defect. It has to be pretty big to pick it up on confrontation fields. And then as we say, looking at the fundus. And you probably know that myself and Dr Biousse have been on somewhat of a crusade to allow the emperor's new clothes to be recognized, which is- most neurologists aren't very comfortable using the direct ophthalmoscope and aren't so comfortable, even if they can use it, seeing what they need to see. It's hard. It's really, really hard. And it's particularly hard without pupillary dilation. And technology has allowed us now with non-mydriatic cameras, cameras that are incredible, even through a small pupil can take magnificent pictures of the back of the eye. And who wouldn't rather have that? And as their cost and availability- the cost goes down and their availability goes up. These cameras should be part of every neurology office and every emergency department. And this isn't futuristic. This is happening already and will continue to happen. But over the next five years or so… well, we're transitioning into that. I think knowing what you can do with the direct ophthalmoscope is important. First of all, if you dial in plus lenses, you can't be an ophthalmologist, but you can see media opacities. If you can't see into the back of the eye, that may be the reason the patient can't see out. And then just seeing if someone has central vision loss in one eye, it's got to be localized either to the media in the axis of vision; or it's in the macula, the very center of the retina; or it's in the optic nerve. So, if you get good at looking at the optic nerve and then try to curb your excitement when you saw it and actually move a little temporally and take a look at the macula, you're looking at the two areas. Again, a lot of ophthalmologists these days don't do much looking with the naked eye. They actually do photography, and they do what's called OCT, optical coherence tomography, which especially for maculopathies, problems in the macula are showing us the pathology so beautifully, things that used to be considered subtle like central serous retinopathy and other macula. So, I think having a real healthy respect for what an eye care provider can do for you to help screen away the ophthalmic causes, it's very, very important to have a patient complaining of central vision loss, even if they have a diagnosis like multiple sclerosis, you expect that they might have an optic neuritis… they can have retinal detachments and other things also. And so, I think every one of these patients should be seen by an eye care provider as well. Dr Berkowitz: Thank you for that overview. And I feel certainly as guilty as charged here as one of many neurologists, I imagine, who wish we were much better and more comfortable with fundoscopy and being confident on what we see. But as you said, it's hard with the direct ophthalmoscope and a non-dilated exam. And it's great that, as you said, these fundus photography techniques and tools are becoming more widely available so that we can get a good look at the fundus. And then we're going to have to learn a lot more about how to interpret those images, right? If we haven't been so confident in our ability to see the fundus and analyze some of the subtle abnormalities that you and your colleagues and our ophthalmology colleagues are more familiar with. So, I appreciate you acknowledging that. And I'm glad to hear that coming down the pipeline, there are going to be some tools to help us there. So, you mentioned some of the things you do at the bedside to try to distinguish between eye and optic nerve. Could you go into those in a little bit more detail here? How do you check the visual fields? For example, some people count fingers, some people wiggle fingers, see when the patient can see. How should we be checking visual fields? And what are some of the other bedside tasks you use to decide this is probably going to end up being in the optic nerve or this seems more like an eye? Dr Newman: Of course. Again, central visual acuity is very important. If somebody is older than fifty, they clearly will need some form of reading glasses. So, keeping a set of plus three glasses from cheapo drugstore in your pocket is very helpful. Have them put on their glasses and have them read an ear card. It's one of the few things you can actually measure and examine. And so that's important. The strongest reflex in the body and I can have it duke it out with the peripheral neurologists if they want to, it's not the knee jerk, it's looking for a relative afferent pupillary defect. Extremely important for neurologists to feel comfortable with that. Remember, you cut an optic nerve, you're not going to have anisocoria. It's not going to cause a big pupil. The pupils are always equal because this is not an efferent problem, it's an afferent problem, an input problem. So basically, if the eye has been injured in the optic nerve and it can't get that information about light back into the brain, well, the endoresfol nuclei, both of them are going to reset at a bigger size. And then when you swing over and shine that light in the good optic nerve, the good eye, then the brain gets all this light and both endoresfol nuclei equally set those pupils back at a smaller size. So that's the test for the relative afferent pupillary defect. When you swing back and forth. Of course, when the light falls on the eye, that's not transmitting light as well to the brain, you're going to see the pupil dilate up. But it's not that that pupil is dilating alone. They both are getting bigger. It's an extremely powerful reflex for a unilateral or asymmetric bilateral optic neuropathy. But what you have to remember, extremely important, is, where does our optic nerve come from? Well, it comes from the retinal ganglion cells. It's the axons of the retinal ganglion cells, which is in the inner retina. And therefore inner retinal disorders such as central retinal artery occlusion, ophthalmic artery occlusion, branch retinal artery occlusion, they will also give a relative afferent pupillary defect because you're affecting the source. And this is extremely important. A retinal detachment will give a relative afferent pupillary defect. So, you can't just assume that it's optic nerve. Luckily for us, those things that also give a relative afferent pupillary defect from a retinal problem cause really bad-looking retinal disease. And you should be able to see it with your direct ophthalmoscope. And if you can't, you definitely will be able to see it with a picture, a photograph, or having an ophthalmologist or optometrist take a look for you. That's really the bedside. You mentioned confrontation visual fields. I still do them, but I am very, very aware that they are not very sensitive. And I have an extremely low threshold to- again, I have something in my office. But if I were a general neurologist, to partner with an eye care specialist who has an automated visual field perimeter in their office because it is much more likely to pick up a deficit. Confrontation fields. Just remember, one eye at a time. Never two eyes at the same time. They overlap with each other. You're going to miss something if you do two eyes open, so one eye at a time. You check their field against your field, so you better be sure your field in that eye is normal. You probably ought to have an automated perimetry test yourself at some point during your career if you're doing that. And remember that the central thirty degrees is subserved by 90% of our fibers neurologically, so really just testing in the four quadrants around fixation within the central 30% is sufficient. You can present fingers, you don't have to wiggle in the periphery unless you want to pick up a retinal detachment. Dr Berkowitz: You mentioned perimetry. You've also mentioned ocular coherence tomography, OCT, other tests. Sometimes we think about it in these cases, is MRI one of the orbits? When do you decide to pursue one or more of those tests based on your history and exam? Dr Newman: So again, it sort of depends on what's available to you, right? Most neurologists don't have a perimeter and don't have an OCT machine. I think if you're worried that you have an optic neuropathy, since we're just speaking about monocular vision loss at this point, again, these are tests that you should get at an office of an eye care specialist if you can. OCT is very helpful specifically in investigating for a macular cause of central vision loss as opposed to an optic nerve cause. It's very, very good at picking up macular problems that would be bad enough to cause a vision problem. In addition, it can give you a look at the thickness of the axons that are about to become the optic nerve. We call it the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer. And it actually can look at the thickness of the layer of the retinal ganglion cells without any axons on them in that central area because the axons, the nerve fiber layer, bends away from central vision. So, we can see the best we can see. And remember these are anatomical measurements. So, they will lag, for the ganglion cell layer, three to four weeks behind an injury, and for the retinal nerve fiber, layer usually about six weeks behind an entry. Whereas the functional measurements, such as visual acuity, color vision, visual fields, will be immediate on an injury. So, it's that combination of function and anatomy examination that makes you all-powerful. You're very much helped by the two together and understanding where one will be more helpful than the other. Dr Berkowitz: Let's say we've gotten to the optic nerve as our localization. Many people jump to the assumption it's the optic nerve, it's optic neuritis, because maybe that's the most common diagnosis we learn in medical school. And of course, we have to sometimes, when we're teaching our students or trainees,  say, well, actually, not all optic nerve disease, optic neuritis, we have to remember there's a broader bucket of optic neuropathy. And I remember, probably I didn't hear that term until residency and thought, oh, that's right. I learned optic neuritis. Didn't really learn any of the other causes of optic nerve pathology in medical school. And so, you sort of assume that's the only one. And so you realize, no, optic neuropathy has a differential diagnosis beyond optic neuritis. Neuritis is a common cause. So how do you think about the “what” once you've localized to the optic nerve, how do you think about that? Figure out what the cause of the optic neuropathy is? Dr Newman: Absolutely. And we've been trying to convince neuro-radiologists when they see evidence of optic nerve T2 hyperintensity, that just means damage to the optic nerve from any cause. It's just old damage, and they should not put in their read consistent with optic neuritis. But that's a pet peeve. Anyway, yes, the piece of tissue called the optic nerve can be affected by any category of pathophysiology of disease. And I always suggest that you run your categories in your head so you don't leave one out. Some are going to be more common to be bilateral involvement like toxic or metabolic causes. Others will be more likely unilateral. And so, you just run those guys. So, in my mind, my categories always are compressive-slash-infiltrative, which can be neoplastic or non-neoplastic. For example, an ophthalmic artery aneurysm pressing on an optic nerve, or a thyroid, an enlarged thyroid eye muscle pressing on the optic nerve. So, I have compressive infiltrative, which could be neoplastic or not neoplastic. I have inflammatory, which can be infectious. Some of the ones that can involve the optic nerve are syphilis, cat scratch disease. Or noninfectious, and these are usually your autoimmune such as idiopathic optic neuritis associated with multiple sclerosis, or MOG, or NMO, or even sarcoidosis and inflammation. Next category for me would be vascular, and you can have arterial versus venous in the optic nerve, probably all arterial if we're talking about causes of optic neuropathy. Or you could have arteritic versus nonarteritic with the vascular, the arteritic usually being giant cell arteritis. And the way the optic nerve circulation is, you can have an anterior ischemic optic neuropathy or a posterior ischemic optic neuropathy defined by the presence of disc edema suggesting it's anterior, the front of the optic nerve, or not, suggesting that it's retrobulbar or posterior optic nerve. So what category am I- we mentioned toxic, metabolic nutritional. And there are many causes in those categories of optic neuropathy, usually bilateral. You can have degenerative or inherited. And there are causes of inherited optic neuropathies such as Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and dominant optic atrophy. And then there's a group I call the mechanical optic neuropathies. The obvious one is traumatic, and that can happen in any piece of tissue. And then the other two relate to the particular anatomy of the eyeball and the optic nerve, and the fact that the optic nerve is a card-carrying member of the central nervous system. So, it's not really a nerve by the way, it's a tract. Think about it. Anyway, white matter tract. It is covered by the same fluid and meninges that the rest of the brain. So, what mechanically can happen? Well, you could have an elevated intraocular pressure where that nerve inserts. That's called glaucoma, and that would affect the front of the optic nerve. Or you can have elevated intracranial pressure. And if that's transmitted along the optic nerve, it can make the front of the optic nerve swell. And we call that specifically papilledema, optic disk edema due specifically to raised intracranial pressure. We actually even can have low intraocular pressure cause something called hypotony, and that can actually even give an optic neuropathy the swelling of the optic nerve. So, these are the mechanical. And if you were to just take that list and use it for any piece of tissue anywhere, like the heart or the kidney, you can come up with your own mechanical categories for those, like pericarditis or something like that. And then all those other categories would fit. But of course, the specific causes within that pathophysiology are going to be different based on the piece of tissue that you have. In this case, the optic nerve. Dr Berkowitz: In our final moments here, we've talked a lot about the approach to monocular visual loss. I think most neurologists, once we find a visual field defect, we breathe a sigh of relief that we know we're in our home territory here, somewhere in the visual task base that we've studied very well. I'm not trying to distinguish ocular causes amongst themselves or ocular from optic nerve, which can be very challenging at the bedside. But one topic you cover in your article, which I realized I don't really have a great approach to, is transient binocular visual loss. Briefly here, since we're running out of time, what's your approach to transient binocular visual loss?  Dr Newman: We assume with transient binocular vision loss that we are not dealing with a different experience in each eye, because if you have a different experience in each eye, then you're dealing with bilateral eyeball or optic nerve. But if you're having the same experience in the two eyes, it's equal in the two eyes, then you're located. You're located, usually, retro chiasmally, or even chiasm if you have pituitary apoplexy or something. So, all of these things require imaging, and I want to take one minute to talk about that. If you are sure that you have monocular vision loss, please don't get a brain MRI without contrast. It's really useless. Get a orbital MRI with contrast and fat suppression techniques if you really want to look at the optic nerve. Now, let's say you you're convinced that this is chiasmal or retrochiasmal. Well then, we all know we want to get a brain MRI---again, with and without contrast---to look specifically where we could see something. And so, if it's persistent and you have a homonymous hemianopia, it's easy, you know where to look. Be careful though, optic track can fool you. It's such a small little piece, you may miss it on the MRI, especially in someone with MS. So really look hard. There's very few things that are homonymous hemianopias MRI negative. It may just be that you didn't look carefully enough. And as far as the transient binocular vision loss, again, remember, even if it's persistent, it has to be equal vision in the two eyes. If there's inequality, then you have a superimposed anterior visual pathway problem, meaning in front of the chiasm on the side that's worse. The most common cause of transient binocular vision loss would be a form of migraine. The visual aura of migraine usually is a positive phenomenon, but sometimes you can have a homonymous hemianopic persistent defect that then ebbs and flows and goes away. Usually there's buildup, lasts maybe fifteen minutes and then it goes away, not always followed by a headache. Other things to think of would be transient ischemic attack in the vertebra Basler system, either a homonymous hemianopia or cerebral blindness, what we call cortical blindness. It can be any degree of vision loss, complete or any degree, as long as the two eyes are equal. That should last only minutes. It should be maximum at onset. There should be no buildup the way migraine has it. And it should be gone within less than ten minutes, typically. After fifteen, that's really pushing it. And then you could have seizures. Seizures can actually be the aura of a seizure, the actual ictal phenomenon of a seizure, or a postictal, almost like a todd's paralysis after a seizure. These events are typically bright colors and flashing, and they last usually seconds or just a couple of minutes at most. So, you can probably differentiate them. And then there are the more- less common but more interesting things like hyperglycemia, non-ketonic hyperglycemia can give you transient vision loss from cerebral origin, and other less common things like that. Dr Berkowitz: Fantastic. Although we've talked about many pearls of clinical wisdom here with you today, Dr Newman, this is only a fraction of what we can find in your article with Dr Biousse. We focused here on monocular visual loss and a little bit at the end here on binocular visual loss, transient binocular visual loss. But thank you very much for your article, and thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us today. Again, today I've been interviewing Dr Nancy Newman about her article with Dr Valerie Biousse on the approach to visual loss, which appears in the most recent issue of Continuum on neuro-ophthalmology. Be sure to check out Continuum audio episodes from this and other issues. Thank you so much to our listeners for joining us today. Dr Monteith: This is Dr Teshamae Monteith, Associate Editor of Continuum Audio. If you've enjoyed this episode, you'll love the journal, which is full of in-depth and clinically relevant information important for neurology practitioners. Use this link in the episode notes to learn more and subscribe. AAN members, you can get CME for listening to this interview by completing the evaluation at continpub.com/audioCME. Thank you for listening to Continuum Audio.

This week on Urban Valor, we sit down with U.S. Marine Rob Martinez, whose unbelievable story of perseverance through Scout Sniper and MARSOC selection is inspiring and heartbreaking. Raised in Kissimmee, Florida, Rob enlisted in the Marine Corps after a rough start in life. Originally signed up as a Motor Transport Mechanic, Rob's ambition never stopped. While stationed in Kuwait, he qualified for Scout Sniper Indoctrination. Later, he passed all phases of the elite Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) Assessment & Selection—only to be denied selection without explanation.In this interview, Rob opens up about the emotional toll of being passed over after pushing his body and mind to the limit. He also discusses his journey through divorce, injury, and transition to civilian life. Today, Rob dedicates himself to helping fellow service members through his nonprofit, All Clear Gear.

2514 Re-learning Life Skills After Vision loss (Apr. 2, 2025) Show Notes What does it take to relearn life skills after vision loss? Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Erich Manser about his experiences with blindness training programs, transitioning from magnification to screen readers, and finding value in non-visual techniques. Erich's journey offers insights … Continue reading 2514 Re-learning Life Skills After Vision loss (Apr. 2, 2025) →

20250402 Cooking with Vision Loss with the Blind Kitchen Originally Broadcasted April 2, 2025, on ACB Media 5   Cooking with vision loss can be challenging but it can also be very rewarding. Participants joined the conversation with Chef Debra, the Executive Chef and Founder of the Blind Kitchen, to learn about and share adaptive cooking tools and strategies for cooking safely, confidently, and independently in spite of vision loss.   t Sponsored By: The Blind Kitchen Visit the Blind Kitchen on YouTube     Find out more at https://acb-community.pinecast.co

In this episode of Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson speaks with three professionals from State Services for the Blind (SSB)—Kate Larson, Randi Lasher, and Shane DeSantis—who support students with vision loss as they prepare for life after high school. They share helpful tips about applying for college, getting financial aid (like FAFSA and scholarships), gaining job experience through internships, and working closely with counselors for support. They also talk about the importance of accessibility, orientation and mobility, and how internships and campus resources can help you feel confident and ready to succeed in college and beyond.   To learn more about the services available through State Services for the Blind and how they can support your independence, contact Shane DeSantis at Shane.DeSantis@state.mn.us or call 651-385-5205.   Full Transcript:  

In this powerful and candid episode, Steven and Shaun sit down with Angela Bonfanti, the President and CEO of CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind), to explore how one of Canada's most influential blindness organizations is transforming its approach to employment, technology, and inclusion.Angela shares her deep personal connection to CNIB—from a childhood shaped by her father's vision loss, to her 13-year journey within the organization. She offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how CNIB's groundbreaking “Come to Work” program is tackling Canada's staggering 28% employment rate for people with vision loss, and explains how real change starts with listening to the community.You'll also hear:Why tech like Meta's Ray-Ban glasses are both exciting and frustratingCNIB's vision for SmartLife Centres as training—not just retail—hubsWhy Braille is making a comeback and how CNIB is prioritizing literacyThe importance of local, mobile support across Canada's vast geographyA look at the hidden cost of DEI "backlash" and why true inclusion requires more than a checkboxAngela doesn't hold back, and this is a must-listen episode for anyone passionate about accessibility, advocacy, and actionable progress.Relevant LinksCNIB Come to Work ProgramCNIB SmartLifeVision Loss Rehabilitation CanadaBe My EyesMonarch Tactile Display (APH & HumanWare)Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.Chapter Markers:00:00 Introduction01.00 Happy Birthday Koko The Guide Dog10:10 Introduction to Angela Bonfanti, CEO of CNIB20:41 Addressing Employment Challenges for the Visually Impaired23:09 The Role of Technology in Employment and Accessibility26:49 Addressing Accessibility Challenges in Technology30:26 Collaboration and Community Engagement33:46 The Future of Assistive Technology36:21 Creating Centers of Excellence for Technology Training40:54 Raising Awareness and Advocacy for Vision Loss44:10 The Importance of Braille in Modern Education Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap WebsiteJoin the conversation and add your voice to the show either by calling in, sending an email or leaving us a voicemail!Email: feedback@doubletaponair.comPhone: 1-877-803-4567

Hosts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece kick things off with a wave of listener reactions to last week's now-infamous Uber finger-slam incident. Some thought Steven's laughter was insensitive, but the duo explain their dynamic with honesty and humour. As always, they keep things real while offering heartfelt appreciation for their audience's concern.Then, it's on to the big tech story of the day: Google's new Pixel 9a smartphone. Steven and Shaun dive into its specs, pricing, and accessibility appeal. Is it worth £499? Does it stack up against Apple's iPhone 16E or Samsung's Galaxy A series? The answer might surprise you—especially if you're blind or low vision. The hosts praise the clean, bloat-free stock Android experience, ease of updates, and the phone's accessibility features, positioning the Pixel 9a as a smart choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, no-nonsense Android phone.Listener emails take centre stage next with thoughtful insights from the community:Christie from Kamloops shares how she uses Facebook without ever watching videos, explains why “blind Facebook” would feel discriminatory, and highlights accessibility wins and frustrations within Messenger.Wesley unveils a clever AutoHotkey + Be My Eyes script to generate near-instant image descriptions on Reddit—showcasing how tech-savvy blind users are customising their experience for true accessibility.Douglas from Germany delivers a powerful message about losing the freedom of driving, the emotional journey of accepting vision loss, and a frustrating update: his Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses lost access to AI features in the EU due to privacy laws.The episode wraps with a deep and meaningful conversation about parenting, social media, and the Netflix series “Adolescence,” sparking honest questions about how digital culture is shaping kids—and the responsibilities that come with it.Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.Chapter Markers:00:00 Introduction and Feedback Dynamics03:12 Humor in Friendship and Communication05:56 Navigating Life's Challenges with Humor08:50 The Impact of Social Media on Parenting12:00 The Importance of Awareness in Parenting14:53 The Role of Influencers and Social Media Responsibility17:52 The Pixel 9a Launch and Features21:12 Comparing Pixel and Samsung Devices30:42 The Quest for the Perfect Phone31:11 Listener Feedback: The Facebook Experience35:22 Navigating Facebook: Tips and Tricks40:12 Tech Innovations: AutoHotkey and Accessibility45:26 Personal Stories: The Impact of Vision Loss49:19 AI and Accessibility: Challenges in Germany52:07 Reflections on Freedom: The Loss of Driving55:00 Closing Thoughts and Future Topics Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap WebsiteJoin the conversation and add your voice to the show either by calling in, sending an email or leaving us a voicemail!Email: feedback@doubletaponair.comPhone: 1-877-803-4567About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Learn more at AMI.caConnect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaInc

20250305 Cooking with Vision Loss with the Blind Kitchen Originally Broadcasted March 5, 2025, on ACB Media 5   Cooking with vision loss can be challenging but it can also be rewarding. Participants joined the conversation with Chef Debra, the Executive Chef and Founder of the Blind Kitchen, to learn about and share adaptive cooking tools and strategies for cooking safely, confidently, and independently in spite of vision loss.   Sponsored By: The Blind Kitchen Visit the Blind Kitchen on YouTube     Find out more at https://acb-community.pinecast.co

Today's episode is packed with breaking news in the world of accessible technology. We kick off with the launch of Leasey 10, the latest update to the powerful JAWS add-on that makes Windows more efficient for screen reader users. Brian Hartgen of Hartgen Consultancy joins us to explain the new features, including ChatGPT integration, AI-powered spell-checking, image generation, and even audio transcription!We also discuss Meta's collaboration with Envision on their latest AR glasses project, Project Aria Gen2. Could these new smart glasses finally revolutionize indoor navigation for blind and low-vision users? We break down the latest developments and what they could mean for the future of AI-driven navigation and accessibility.

Diabetes is on the rise among young people in the United States, with significant increases in type 1 and type 2 diabetes diagnoses. The consequences of this trend are alarming, as diabetes-related retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in adults aged 20 to 74, is appearing earlier and with greater frequency in these younger populations. Without proper education, prevention, and care, millions more could face the devastating impact of vision loss. Dr Gregory Carnevale, MD, Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare talks about this rise in diabetes among the young population and a new UHC initiative, Eye Health Education and Systems of Care for Young Persons with Diabetes. We discussed the types of diabetes including Type 1, Type 2 and gestational, their diagnosis and the ramifications of untreated or uncontrolled diabetes. We discussed prevention and how your genes, weight, exercise and food choices can affect your chances of developing disease and we spoke about the current wide-spread use of weight-loss drugs designed for diabetes glucose control. He explained the impact of diabetes on the renal and cardiovascular systems and how that increases your danger for vision loss. He described the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy and the need for dilated eye exam, the sooner the better, especially with young patients. For more information about the new initiative go to UHC.com/diabetes or visit preventblindness.org.

Introducing MJ Jefferson, Exectutive Producer and Creative Director of Stories of Vision Loss podcast.Record an Audio Message!Stay connected and share your story: storiesofvisionloss@gmail.comCheck out a list of our guests: www.storiesofvisionloss.com/guestsJoin Supporter's Club - $5/month

Dr. Joseph Allen is a practicing optometrist and the creator of Doctor Eye Health on YouTube. Show sponsors: AquaTru - Save 20% off any AquaTru water purifier by using the code "ULTIMATEHEALTH2" at checkout Maui Nui Venison - 15% off your first order by using the code "TUHP" at checkout Show notes: https://ultimatehealthpodcast.com/639

20250205 Cooking with Vision Loss with the Blind Kitchen Originally Broadcasted February 5, 2025, on ACB Media 5   Cooking with vision loss can be challenging but it can also be very rewarding. Participants joined the conversation with Chef Debra, the Executive Chef and Founder of the Blind Kitchen, to learn about and share adaptive cooking tools and strategies for cooking safely, confidently, and independently despite vision loss.   Sponsored by: The Blind Kitchen     Find out more at https://acb-community.pinecast.co

In this episode of The Black Country Blokes, Lee and Kev sit down with Adam Cartwright, who bravely shares his journey of vision loss, mental health struggles, and resilience.In 2018, Adam began experiencing eye problems due to diabetes. After undergoing four unsuccessful surgeries between 2018-2019, he was left with only 20% vision in one eye. The life-changing impact of losing his sight led him into a deep battle with depression, ultimately culminating in a suicide attempt. But Adam's story doesn't end there—he found strength, purpose, and a way forward.Join us as we discuss the challenges of vision impairment, mental health, and the power of resilience. If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone—help is available.

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, Kim Wardlow is joined by Penn Street from The Blind Chick Podcast to explore strategies for making holiday shopping easier and more enjoyable for those with low vision. From the accessibility challenges of online shopping to the benefits of shopping local and personalized gift ideas, Penn shares her insights and experiences. They discuss using assistive technologies like Be My Eyes, the joy of giving experiences over material gifts, and the importance of taking care of yourself during the holiday season. The episode also highlights Colorado Gives Day and encourages listeners to consider charitable giving as a meaningful holiday gift. Chapter Markers 00:31 – Introduction and Colorado Gives Day 02:07 – Welcoming Guest Penn Street and the Holiday Spirit 03:08 – Challenges and Strategies for In-Person Shopping 04:07 – Charitable Giving as a Holiday Gift 05:45 – Benefits of Online Shopping and Accessibility Challenges 09:13 – Personalizing Gift Lists and Using Technology 12:00 – Navigating Tactile and Sentimental Gifts 16:00 – Funny Anecdotes from Shopping Experiences 17:23 – Accessibility Issues in Online Shopping Platforms 21:02 – Giving Experiences and Non-Material Gifts 26:20 – Personalizing Strategies for Stress-Free Shopping 30:11 – Self-Care During the Holidays 32:12 – Closing Thoughts and Holiday Wishes Contact Information Aftersight Website: aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.org Guest Contact Penn Street: Co-host of The Blind Chick Podcast

In this episode of Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson interviews Leslie Dickson, a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist at the VA, who shares her inspiring journey of resilience and success as a blind individual. Born with coloboma, Leslie reveals how her parents' steadfast encouragement instilled a can-do attitude that carried her through every stage of her educational journey. From navigating high school with large-print textbooks and assistive tools to becoming the first visually impaired student in her college design program, Leslie reflects on the transformative role educators and mentors played in her achievements.   After earning a master's degree in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Leslie now dedicates her career to empowering veterans through hands-on skills like woodworking, ceramics, and leatherworking. She shares her approach to building confidence and independence, teaching that vision loss is not a limitation but an opportunity for growth.   Join Leslie as she recounts her journey and inspires the next generation of blind and low-vision students to pursue their goals with determination and creativity.   Full Transcript:   Read More 

Episode Title: Holiday Cooking: Taste Without Sight In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow sits down with Debra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen, to discuss adaptive tools, techniques, and tips for holiday cooking with vision loss. Debra shares her expertise on making cooking safe, enjoyable, and accessible while helping listeners maintain traditions and create memorable meals. From mastering mashed potatoes to baking perfect pies, this episode offers practical advice to navigate the kitchen confidently. Debra also highlights tools available on The Blind Kitchen's website, including the boil alert disc, adaptive measuring spoons, locking lid pans, and more. Whether you're hosting a large gathering or perfecting a favorite family recipe, this episode inspires listeners to embrace cooking despite vision challenges. Additionally, Kim reminds listeners to support Aftersight for Colorado Gives Day on December 10th. Donations can be pre-scheduled at ColoradoGives.org by searching for Aftersight. Contact Information: Aftersight: Visit ColoradoGives.org and search for Aftersight to donate or learn more. The Blind Kitchen: Explore tools, recipes, and tips at TheBlindKitchen.com. Chapter Markers: 00:10 - Introduction: Aftersight and Colorado Gives Day 00:29 - Welcome to the Holiday Series 01:37 - Meet Debra Erickson 01:59 - Overview of The Blind Kitchen 03:06 - Addressing Safety Concerns 03:51 - Relying on Non-Visual Senses in Cooking 04:40 - Tools That Make Cooking Accessible 06:11 - Holiday Gift Ideas for Cooks with Vision Loss 08:21 - The Science Behind the Boil Alert Disc 09:14 - Adaptive Measuring Tools 13:03 - Non-Tool Cooking Tips and Techniques 16:11 - Cooking a Holiday Staple: Mashed Potatoes 24:12 - Maintaining Identity Through Cooking 25:36 - Baking Pies with Vision Loss 31:26 - Hosting Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Meals 35:01 - Traditional Holiday Dishes 36:24 - New Year's Recipes and Traditions 37:27 - Final Tips and Words of Encouragement 39:17 - Cooking on Different Stove Types 40:09 - Closing and Resources Enjoy this holiday-themed episode as you navigate life with vision loss and create delightful meals for your loved ones!

People don't think Graham Isador is losing his sight. They think he's an asshole.Short Sighted is an attempt to explain what vision loss feels like by exploring how it sounds.Written and hosted by master storyteller Graham Isador, the show's mini episodes are an intimate and irreverent look at accessibility and its personal impacts.Get lost in someone else's life. From a mysterious childhood spent on the run, to a courageous escape from domestic violence, each season of Personally invites you to explore the human experience in all its complexity, one story — or season — at a time. This is what it sounds like to be human.More episodes of Personally are available at: lnk.to/pJDdjXaz

Host Kim Wardlow welcomes Bill Lundgren, host of Blindsight podcast and licensed psychotherapist, to discuss navigating family gatherings during the holiday season. The conversation covers managing family dynamics, setting boundaries, and finding joy in changing traditions while living with vision loss. Chapter Markers 00:30 - Introduction to the holiday series and today's topic. 02:29 - Overview of Blindsight podcast and its focus on mental health. 03:43 - Challenges of family dynamics during the holidays. 06:08 - Managing family roles and past behavioral patterns. 09:15 - Preparing for gatherings and setting boundaries. 13:32 - Coping with changes in loved ones like aging or memory loss. 17:21 - Handling reactions when attending with vision changes. 25:49 - Finding joy in new holiday experiences and traditions. 29:41 - Closing thoughts on flexibility and embracing challenges. ? Support Aftersight and Navigating Life with Vision Loss! Contact: Call us at (720) 712-8856 or email feedback@aftersight.org. Donate: Participate in Colorado Gives Day or schedule your early donation at ColoradoGivesDay.org by searching for Aftersight. Your generosity helps keep these resources free and supports programs like virtual book clubs, white canes, and more. Thank you for your support! ?

20241125 AAVL and Pampered Chef Originally Broadcasted November 25, 2024, on ACB Media 5   Dawn Brush an Independent Pampered Chef Consultant  shared some products. Helped AAVL with a fund raiser. Watch your email for the link to AAVL fund Raiser and Pampered Chef catalog. Sponsored by: Alliance On Aging and Vision Loss     Find out more at https://acb-community.pinecast.co

Graham Isador is a Canadian writer and playwright who's living with a degenerative eye disease called keratoconus, which means he's losing his sight. But since there's no obvious sign of it, people don't always believe him. His new project, “Short Sighted,” started as a one-man play and is now a five-part podcast series that explains what it's really like for him to lose his vision. Graham joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the project and what he's learned about himself along the way.

Join host Kim Wardlow and guest Michael Sisneros, Aftersight's Community Outreach Specialist, for a festive episode dedicated to making your holiday decorations both safe and accessible for everyone, including those with low vision. Michael shares practical tips and personal stories on enhancing your holiday décor with tactile, olfactory, and audio elements to make the season memorable and inclusive. Whether it's adding scented pine cones, crafting textured ornaments, or arranging lights for visibility, there are endless ways to ensure a joyful and accessible holiday. Michael, who also cares for his father with low vision, discusses how his family maintains traditions while keeping their holiday home accessible. From a motion-activated train around the Christmas tree to scented ornaments that last for years, Michael brings a wealth of ideas to enrich your holiday season safely. Learn about cost-effective décor solutions, organizational tips, and ways to make your home welcoming for all guests with low vision. Contact Aftersight: Phone: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.org Colorado Gives Day Reminder Support Aftersight's mission by donating through Colorado Gives Day and selecting Aftersight as your chosen nonprofit. Early donations are also accepted, with each contribution helping Aftersight receive additional funds through a donation boost. Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro and episode overview 00:11 Decorating tips and caregiving experience 05:20 Accessible décor and family traditions 11:18 Tips on lighting, texture, and sound elements 17:42 Using color and contrast in holiday décor 21:16 Safety considerations for low-vision guests 30:58 Favorite holiday memory and closing remarks

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun dive into the inbox featuring a wide range of topics for discussion.The subject of Meta Ray-Ban glasses comes up first with listener Corrie talking about her discoveries using Bluetooth with the Meta Ray Bands and other devices at the same time.The chat shifts to the comparison between wearables and mobility aids, emphasizing the importance of both in the blind community. Listener contributions also delve into the future of AI in accessibility, the challenges of navigating with technology, and the desire for independence in daily life. Feedback on Glide and other devices highlights the ongoing evolution of assistive technology. Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.Chapter Markers:00:00 Intro02:57 Corrie's Discoveries with Meta Ray Bands06:09 Wearables vs. Mobility Aids11:48 The Future of AI in Accessibility15:10 Navigating with Technology: Canes and Wearables20:46 Independence and Accessibility in Daily Life24:01 Thoughts On Glide and Other Devices28:12 Navigating Stairs: The Challenges of Mobility Devices31:47 Perspectives on Vision: The Desire for Sight32:39 The Braille Debate: Technology vs. Traditional Learning36:25 Employment Challenges: Attitudes Towards Blind People41:48 The Future of Braille: Balancing Tradition and Technology43:43 AI and Power Consumption: The Nuclear Dilemma50:05 Personal Experiences Relating to Vision Loss

In this holiday episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow welcomes guest Ted Tahquechi to discuss accessible travel tips for navigating the busy holiday season. Ted shares valuable advice on managing challenges for travelers with low vision or blindness, covering everything from navigating crowded airports to using technology for luggage tracking and communicating effectively with staff. With practical tips and thoughtful insights, this episode aims to help listeners travel with confidence and ease during the holidays. Contact Information: Guest Contact: Ted Tahquechi's websites: tahquechi.com - for his art and photography. blindtravels.com - for accessible travel insights. Aftersight Contact: Website: aftersight.org Email: feedback@aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856 Support Aftersight on Colorado Gives Day: coloradogives.org - Search for “Aftersight” to donate and support podcasts like Navigating Life with Vision Loss. Next Episode Preview: Join us next week for an episode on "Holiday Decor with our special guest Michael Sisneros. Episode Highlights and Chapter Markers: Introduction and Holiday Travel Overview – 00:23 Meet Ted Tahquechi – 01:12 Travel Tips for Navigating Busy Spaces – 03:10 Using Technology for Stress-Free Travel – 05:01 Traveling with a Guide Dog – 09:25 Planning for Delays and Layovers – 12:48 Arrival and Navigating Unfamiliar Destinations – 16:00 Booking Accessible Accommodations – 18:16 Common Misconceptions About Accessible Travel – 19:46 Improvements in Accessible Travel Services – 21:11 Finding Community and Resources for Accessible Travel – 26:42 Embracing the Joy of Holiday Travel – 29:40

In this captivating episode of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn and Moses Street sit down with artist and author Matt Hendrick to explore his remarkable journey. Matt, who has survived numerous near-death experiences, shares his inspiring path from a life-altering car accident to becoming an artist who paints using his mouth and hand. His newest book, Uncommon Vision: Embracing the Unseen, delves into his experiences and the profound insights he's gained from his journey, including unique perceptions, synchronicities, and the spiritual connections he's encountered. Matt also reveals his creative process, including how he utilized technology like ChatGPT to craft his memoir, bringing his story to life in ways he hadn't imagined. Penn and Moses, known for their own adventurous lives, connect with Matt's experiences of life beyond physical limitations and share anecdotes about spiritual connections and the role of art and storytelling in processing trauma and celebrating resilience. Stay tuned for Part Two next week, where Matt delves even further into his life and experiences. Resources and Contact Information: Matt's Book: Uncommon Vision: Embracing the Unseen – Available in audiobook, Kindle, and paperback. Support Aftersight for Colorado Gives Day (December 10th): Donate and support shows like The Blind Chick, Blindsight, Navigating Life with Vision Loss, and Blind Level Tech. Your contributions make it possible to produce accessible content for the blind community. Colorado Gives Day Donation Link Contact Us: Aftersight Contact Information: Phone: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.org Thank you for listening and supporting accessible storytelling. Be kind to yourself and others—it's good for the soul! Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Moses introduces his mountain lion story and The Blind Chick podcast. 02:23 – Moses and Penn share about meeting new friends on the trail. 04:50 – Matt describes his journey with painting as a quadriplegic. 07:15 – Matt discusses the process of writing his memoir. 09:40 – Matt and hosts discuss near-death experiences and spirituality. 12:06 – Moses shares his own experiences with premonitions and intuition. 14:30 – Penn talks about her connection with her angel, Casey. 16:53 – Penn recalls her childhood near-death experience. 19:21 – Matt and hosts discuss finding balance in spiritual connection. 21:47 – Jonathan closes Part One, encourages Colorado Gives Day donations, and thanks listeners.

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece hear about a new type of mobility aid that uses embedded RFID tags at various locations for navigation.The guys start with a quick peek into the inbox, and suddenly dive back into the implications of Neuralink, and personal experiences with vision loss. The conversation also covers the comparison between different smart cane technologies, specifically the WeWalk and Mini Guide, and concludes with a discussion on political volunteering and its accessibility for people with disabilities. Our main conversation today explores innovative solutions for indoor navigation using RFID technology. HearSee is based in Southern Utah in the USA and has created an innovative smart cane that detects embedded RFID tags to help blind users navigate indoors. President of HearSee, James Bloomfield, talks to Shaun about the invention.Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.Chapter Markers:00:00 Intro08:47 Tim on Neuralink and Internal Ableism14:00 Pete On Comparing Smart Canes: WeWalk vs Mini Guide20:19 Hailey On Political Volunteering and Personal Stories30:10 HearSee Mobility Interview with James Bloomfield

Join Kim Wardlow, your host, along with the Aftersight team in the first episode of our 8-week holiday series, "Home for the Holidays." As we kick off the season, the team shares their unique holiday traditions, favorite songs and movies, and the cherished memories that bring warmth to the season. From nostalgic ornaments to the art of making tamales, you'll hear stories that highlight the diversity of holiday customs and the ways we each celebrate. This episode invites listeners to connect and share their own traditions with us. Contact Information: Email: contact@aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856 (Aftersight) We'd love to hear your unique holiday traditions, or if you have questions for our hosts and guests throughout the holiday series, please reach out! Chapter Markers: 00:09 – Opening and Introduction to Navigating Life with Vision Loss 00:26 – Kim Wardlow introduces the holiday series and topic overview 01:00 – Team introductions and favorite holiday songs and movies 08:00 – Discussions on family holiday traditions and festive foods 18:52 – Personal stories of memorable holiday meals and customs 30:12 – Cultural holiday celebrations and unique family practices 35:56 – Christmas tree traditions and decorating fun 41:00 – Closing remarks and next week's episode teaser on family gatherings Colorado Gives Day Information: As part of the holiday season, please consider participating in Colorado Gives Day by donating to Aftersight. Simply visit coloradogivesday.org and search for "Aftersight" to support our mission. Your donation will help us continue to create meaningful content and support the low-vision community. Join us next week with guest Ted Tahquechi As we dive into travel and understanding that travel, as someone who is blind, can be quite difficult. But don't worry, we'll steer you in the right way. Happy Holidays from all of us at Aftersight, and thank you for being part of our community!

In this powerful and educational episode of It Happened To Me, we sit down with Rachel Schreiman who turned her personal struggle with vision loss into a mission to support others. Rachel shares her story of resilience after experiencing two episodes of Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION), a rare and debilitating eye condition caused by insufficient blood flow to the optic nerve. These episodes left her with significant central vision loss, but instead of giving up, Rachel embraced a new path.   Rachel Schreiman is a CPA and musician who holds an MBA from the University of California, Irvine. In 2019 while working as the Controller for a trade association in Washington DC, she suffered two episodes of Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), rendering her legally blind with significant central vision loss. After receiving rehabilitation care and training she started a new "career" devoted to others with low vision. She now works for Dr. Suleiman Alibhai OD, a low vision rehabilitation optometrist, and as a Resource Navigator for the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington (POB). Both of these positions allow her to give back to others with low vision by sharing information about resources and demonstrating how to use many of the devices, assistive technologies and applications available that allow users to live full and independent lives.   Key Topics Discussed:   The Onset of NAION:  Rachel recounts the initial episode of NAION in 2019, the symptoms she experienced, and her journey to diagnosis. She describes NAION as a "stroke in the eye," explaining how lack of blood flow to the optic nerve led to significant vision loss.   Risk Factors and Triggers for NAION: Rachel discusses possible risk factors, such as sleep apnea and cardiovascular issues, which can contribute to the development of NAION. She shares insights into lifestyle adjustments and precautions she now takes to help manage her health.   Navigating a Second Episode:   Five months after the first NAION episode, Rachel suffered another in her other eye. She reflects on the impact of this second event, the rapid response from her medical team, and the steps she took to prepare for further adaptation to vision loss.   Diagnosing and Treating NAION:   Rachel describes the challenges of diagnosing NAION, which can be easily mistaken for other conditions such as multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, or stroke. She also explains the diagnostic process and the types of specialists who are essential for accurate diagnosis and care.   Adapting to Vision Loss: Rachel opens up about the difficult decision to stop driving and the profound impact it had on her independence. She shares the changes she made in her home and daily routines, along with the support she received from her husband and family, which helped her navigate life with low vision.   Coping Strategies for Low Vision:   Rachel reveals the practical and emotional strategies she uses to cope with vision loss, from using assistive technologies to finding new hobbies and ways to stay connected with her passions.   Advocacy and Empowerment in Low Vision Care:   Through her roles with Dr. Alibhai and the POB, Rachel describes her work in educating others about low vision resources, providing hands-on training with assistive devices, and guiding patients and their families through the journey to independence. She also highlights the services POB offers for those with low vision and encourages listeners to seek support early in their vision loss journey. Resources Mentioned:   - Episode 24 with Dr. Andrew Carey – For more on optic neuropathies, including NAION, check out our conversation with neuro-ophthalmic specialist Dr. Carey. - Episode 27 with Prevention of Blindness – Learn more about POB's programs and resources for individuals with low vision on POB's website.  - Assistive Technology Resources – Recommended apps and devices for managing life with low vision: Seeing AI, VoiceDream, BeMyEyes, Aira.    Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”.    “It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today's Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.   See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com. 

Dennis O. Clegg, Ph.D., discusses treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that causes vision loss. Clegg explains that while patients often report improved vision after receiving implants, objective tests don't always confirm this. He explores the potential differences in patients' responses based on genetics and disease progression. There is also an ongoing challenge in finding the best ways to reduce immune rejection of these treatments. New trials are underway to test implants in earlier stages of the disease, and researchers are looking at different strategies like localized immunosuppression. Additionally, some studies suggest that secretions from retinal cells may help preserve vision. Overall, there are many open questions, but advances in the field offer hope for better AMD treatments. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39459]

Dennis O. Clegg, Ph.D., discusses treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that causes vision loss. Clegg explains that while patients often report improved vision after receiving implants, objective tests don't always confirm this. He explores the potential differences in patients' responses based on genetics and disease progression. There is also an ongoing challenge in finding the best ways to reduce immune rejection of these treatments. New trials are underway to test implants in earlier stages of the disease, and researchers are looking at different strategies like localized immunosuppression. Additionally, some studies suggest that secretions from retinal cells may help preserve vision. Overall, there are many open questions, but advances in the field offer hope for better AMD treatments. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39459]

Dennis O. Clegg, Ph.D., discusses treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that causes vision loss. Clegg explains that while patients often report improved vision after receiving implants, objective tests don't always confirm this. He explores the potential differences in patients' responses based on genetics and disease progression. There is also an ongoing challenge in finding the best ways to reduce immune rejection of these treatments. New trials are underway to test implants in earlier stages of the disease, and researchers are looking at different strategies like localized immunosuppression. Additionally, some studies suggest that secretions from retinal cells may help preserve vision. Overall, there are many open questions, but advances in the field offer hope for better AMD treatments. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39459]

Dennis O. Clegg, Ph.D., discusses treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that causes vision loss. Clegg explains that while patients often report improved vision after receiving implants, objective tests don't always confirm this. He explores the potential differences in patients' responses based on genetics and disease progression. There is also an ongoing challenge in finding the best ways to reduce immune rejection of these treatments. New trials are underway to test implants in earlier stages of the disease, and researchers are looking at different strategies like localized immunosuppression. Additionally, some studies suggest that secretions from retinal cells may help preserve vision. Overall, there are many open questions, but advances in the field offer hope for better AMD treatments. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39459]

Dennis O. Clegg, Ph.D., discusses treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that causes vision loss. Clegg explains that while patients often report improved vision after receiving implants, objective tests don't always confirm this. He explores the potential differences in patients' responses based on genetics and disease progression. There is also an ongoing challenge in finding the best ways to reduce immune rejection of these treatments. New trials are underway to test implants in earlier stages of the disease, and researchers are looking at different strategies like localized immunosuppression. Additionally, some studies suggest that secretions from retinal cells may help preserve vision. Overall, there are many open questions, but advances in the field offer hope for better AMD treatments. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39459]

In this final episode of our emergency preparedness series, Navigating Life with Vision Loss host Kim Wardlow speaks with Monika Weber, Boulder County's Emergency Management Coordinator, and Ryan Airey from the Office of Recovery and Resiliency. They cover essential steps for recovery post-evacuation and sheltering in place. The discussion offers practical tips for preparing go-bags, understanding your insurance, and accessing shelters, ensuring everyone, especially those with disabilities, has the resources they need to navigate emergencies confidently. Aftersight Contact Information Email: contact@aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856 Boulder County Disaster Hotline: 303-441-1000 Help Aftersight on Colorado Gives Day by donating at Colorado Gives Day. Stay tuned as we kick off our holiday series with topics from family traditions to travel and mental health. Thank you for joining us in preparing for a safer tomorrow! Introduction and Recap of Preparedness Series — 00:30 - 01:50 Meet Ryan Airey and His Role in Recovery — 01:54 - 02:40 Evacuation Shelters and Accessibility — 03:14 - 06:30 Service Animals and Pets in Shelters — 08:04 - 09:50 Sheltering in Place Preparations — 10:11 - 12:30 Adapting Homes for Shelter-in-Place Scenarios — 12:37 - 15:00 Planning for Delayed Emergency Response — 16:13 - 17:35 Insurance Preparedness — 20:27 - 23:58 FEMA's Role in Response and Recovery — 24:30 - 26:54 Navigating Disaster Recovery Centers — 28:06 - 29:58 Final Tips for Disaster Preparation — 33:53 - 35:40 Conclusion and Upcoming Holiday Series — 36:50 - End

In this conversation, Kim Wardlow and Monika Weber discuss the importance of emergency preparedness, focusing on evacuation planning, transportation options, and the need for a support system. They emphasize the significance of pre-planning for evacuations, especially in areas prone to wildfires and other disasters. The discussion also covers the importance of preparing for cold weather emergencies and the need for families to have clear communication and plans in place. Additionally, they touch on post-evacuation recovery and the resources available for those affected by disasters. Takeaways Evacuation planning involves knowing transportation options. Public transportation may not operate during emergencies. Building a support system with neighbors is essential. Practice evacuation plans with pets to ensure safety. Prepare for cold weather emergencies with adequate supplies. Create a list of essential items to take during evacuation. Communication is crucial during evacuation situations. Consider alternative transportation methods if needed. Know your evacuation routes ahead of time. Post-evacuation recovery can be a lengthy process. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Emergency Preparedness 00:56 Planning for Evacuation 03:57 Transportation and Support Systems 07:14 Evacuation Planning for Families and Pets 14:06 Preparing for Cold Weather Emergencies 29:03 Post-Evacuation Considerations

In this episode, Kim Wardlow and Monika Weber discuss the critical topic of emergency preparedness. They explore the importance of being prepared for various disasters, the role of community support, and the necessity of understanding alert systems. Monika shares her journey into emergency management and highlights common hazards faced in the Boulder area, emphasizing the need for personal preparedness and actionable steps individuals can take to ensure their safety and that of their community. Takeaways Emergency preparedness can seem overwhelming, but is essential. Community support is crucial during emergencies. Understanding local alert systems can save lives. Assessing personal risks helps in creating effective plans. Having a backup plan is vital for safety. Preparedness should be a communal effort. Sign up for alerts to stay informed during emergencies. Take small, actionable steps towards preparedness. It's important to know your resources and support systems. Every step taken towards preparedness is a step in the right direction. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Emergency Preparedness 02:00 Monika Weber's Journey into Emergency Management 03:27 Common Disasters and Preparedness Strategies 06:08 The Importance of Community Support in Emergencies 07:14 Understanding Alert Systems 21:22 Actionable Steps for Personal Preparedness

Prabath Wickramanayake takes us through his RP journey growing up in Sri Lanka, going to school in New Zealand, and living in Australia.  He encourages everyone to get out and do the things they love.Support Stories of Vision Loss

Episode Summary: In this episode of *Navigating Life with Vision Loss*, host Kim Wardlow and accessibility advocate Liz Bottner focus on how you can stay prepared during emergencies in public spaces. Liz shares practical tips for you, like using Aira, Be My Eyes, and local emergency alerts to stay informed and navigate unfamiliar situations. She also shares personal experiences, offering insights on how you can stay calm and flexible when things get stressful. Share your own emergency tips and tune in for more helpful advice on staying prepared this month! Feedback@aftersight.org or call us at (720)712-8856 Takeaways Emergency preparedness is crucial for everyone, especially those with disabilities. Public spaces can present unique challenges during emergencies. Technology can aid in receiving emergency alerts and navigating unfamiliar areas. Asking for help is vital in emergency situations. Advocacy is necessary for improving accessibility in emergency preparedness. Real-life experiences can inform better practices for emergency situations. Flexibility and grace are important during stressful emergencies. Ride share services must be held accountable for service animal policies. Community involvement can enhance emergency preparedness efforts. Regularly familiarize yourself with emergency exits and routes in unfamiliar places. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Emergency Preparedness 01:31 Accessibility Challenges in Public Spaces 05:30 Navigating Emergencies with Low Vision 07:01 Real-Life Emergency Experiences 11:11 The Importance of Asking for Help 17:06 Dealing with Ride Share Issues 25:01 Advocacy for Emergency Preparedness 30:05 Utilizing Technology for Safety 34:13 Final Thoughts on Emergency Preparedness

In this episode of The Blind Chick podcast, hosts Penn and Moses Street dive into an inspiring conversation with Evan Schwabrock, who opens up about his journey of adapting to vision loss from Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. Evan shares the real challenges he's faced—both personally and from societal misconceptions about blindness—and how he's pushed through to prove his capabilities. He also talks about his passion for fitness and empowerment through his initiative, Kane and Able Fitness, which is dedicated to helping the visually impaired community reach their fitness goals. You can learn more about his work at KaneAndAbleFitness.com. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Aftersight at (720) 712-8856 or email feedback@aftersight.org. Tune in to hear how physical fitness can fuel personal growth and help overcome life's obstacles. Takeaways Blindness can be an adventure if we embrace it. Vision loss is only a barrier if we let it be. Adapting to vision loss requires determination and support. Societal perceptions often underestimate the capabilities of the blind. Fitness can empower individuals with visual impairments. Kane and Able Fitness aims to provide accessible fitness resources. Overcoming challenges in fitness can translate to life skills. Movement should be enjoyable, not a punishment. Personal growth often starts with physical fitness. Everyone deserves to feel confident and capable, regardless of disability. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Blindness 02:25 Evan's Diagnosis and Initial Challenges 07:33 Adapting to Vision Loss and Independent Living 12:09 Overcoming Societal Doubts and Misconceptions 17:00 Kane and Able Fitness: Empowering the Visually Impaired 23:00 The Broader Impact of Fitness on Life Goals

You know you have questions for us so why not ask them Give us a call at (720) 712-8856 or email us at feedback@aftersight.org. In this conversation... Kim Wardlow and Liz Bottner discuss the critical aspects of emergency preparedness, particularly for individuals with low vision or disabilities. They emphasize the importance of having a well-organized emergency kit, the need for a support network, and strategies for interacting with emergency responders. The discussion also highlights the necessity of flexibility in planning and the importance of regularly reviewing and updating emergency supplies. Takeaways Emergency preparedness is crucial for everyone, especially those with disabilities. Being prepared is an ongoing process, not a one-time task. Having a go bag with essential items is vital for emergencies. Regularly check and update your emergency supplies. Establish a support network for emergencies. Communicate your needs to emergency responders in advance. Flexibility is key in emergency situations. Include items for pets in your emergency kit. Utilize accessible formats for important documents. Give yourself grace and be open to the unexpected in emergencies. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Emergency Preparedness 06:40 Home Organization for Emergencies 14:44 Essential Items for Your Emergency Bag 19:39 Building a Support Network 23:15 Interacting with Emergency Responders 26:48 Flexibility in Emergency Planning

We know you have questions. We have answers. Give us a call at (720) 712-8856 In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow and fashion expert Trisha Waechtor discuss the importance of fashion as a form of self-expression and empowerment for women in the blind and low vision community. They explore how clothing choices can influence confidence, the significance of building a versatile wardrobe, and essential grooming and skincare tips. The conversation also covers makeup application techniques and encourages listeners to engage in fashion discussions to enhance their personal style. Takeaways Fashion is a powerful form of self-expression. Clothing choices significantly impact confidence levels. Building a versatile wardrobe starts with a base color. Comfort in clothing is essential for confidence. Investing in a good bra can enhance overall appearance. Hygiene practices contribute to feeling good about oneself. Simple skincare routines can be effective and inexpensive. Makeup application techniques can enhance natural beauty. Engaging in fashion conversations can broaden style options. Everyone can explore and express their unique fashion sense. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Fashion and Vision Loss 01:31 The Role of Fashion in Self-Expression 11:48 Building a Versatile Wardrobe 20:45 Grooming and Skincare Essentials 28:15 Makeup Tips for Confidence 45:26 Encouragement for Fashion Exploration

Thank you for joining us on this journey. If you have questions for Kim or any of our guests, give us a call at (720) 712-8856. In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss... ...host Kim Wardlow and guest Tricia Waechter discuss the importance of men's fashion and grooming. They explore how dressing well can boost confidence, the significance of fit in clothing, and practical grooming tips for men, especially those with vision loss. The conversation emphasizes the psychological benefits of looking sharp and provides actionable advice on building a versatile wardrobe, maintaining personal hygiene, and expressing individuality through style. Takeaways Dressing sharp builds confidence for men. Fit is really important in men's fashion. Invest in a dark charcoal suit for versatility. Make your life simple with color choices. Prepare your outfit the night before to reduce stress. Cleanliness is key for grooming routines. Use an electric razor for easy shaving. Regular haircuts keep you looking sharp and tidy. Shoe care is essential for a polished look. Express yourself through your hairstyle and clothing choices. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Men's Fashion and Grooming 16:10 Grooming Essentials for Men 24:24 Expressing Yourself Through Style

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Julie Poteet, OD, MS, CNS, FOWNS.

Dr. Julie Poteet, a prominent integrative optometrist, discusses various aspects of eye health and how the eye can yield crucial insights about the potential for degenerative diseases and premature aging. She covers topics ranging from the impact of nutrition on age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma to innovative practices such as retinal photography and vision therapy. Dr. Poteet shares insights on the benefits of specific nutrients like lutein, zeaxanthin, DHA, and astaxanthin, and emphasizes the significance of a Mediterranean diet and lifestyle changes in preventing eye diseases. The conversation further explores the role of genetic predisposition, early intervention strategies, and the promising future of nutrition-based therapies for eye health.

In this episode of Knock Knock Eye, I explore the potential vision risks associated with Ozempic and similar medications. With recent studies suggesting a link between these popular diabetes and weight loss drugs and non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), I look into the science behind this condition, the anatomy of the optic nerve, and the implications of these findings.  — To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live  We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! knockknockhi@human-content.com Can't get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! – http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/ If you like the scrubs I'm wearing, here's a link and discount code to get some Jaanuu Scrubs link: https://bit.ly/4cAvXbs code: DRG20 for 20% off first-time purchases* *This code works on full-price items only excluding embroidery!  Today's episode is brought to you by the Nuance Dragon Ambient Experience (DAX). It's like having a virtual Jonathan in your pocket. If you would like to learn more about DAX Copilot check out http://nuance.com/discoverDAX and ask your provider for the DAX Copilot experience. Produced by Human Content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices