CASE STUDIES

Case 1 - Darrel Ducat & Low Vision Clinic

Photo of Darrel Ducat "At first, I thought I needed my glasses changed," explained Darrel Ducat, a local businessman and avid bowler. "I could only drive on bright days when there was a lot of light. I was at the point where I really couldn’t read anything. But when I began having trouble making out faces, I knew that it was time to take action."

Mr. Ducat was experiencing symptoms of macular degeneration - the most common cause of blindness and vision impairment among Americans age 50 and older. When his doctor referred him to The Sight Center, Mr. Ducat was "skeptical" but willing to learn about what was available. Today, with expressed thanks for The Sight Center’s Low Vision Clinic services and a supportive spouse, Mr. Ducat has found ways to cope with his changing vision that allow him to maintain his very active lifestyle.

Learn more about the Low Vision Clinic

Case 2 - Hope Hunter & Children Services

Photo of Hope Hunter For seven-year-old Hope Hunter, The Sight Center offered help by addressing light sensitivity issues that were limiting her learning. Born 28 weeks early with a birth weight of one pound, Hope was faced with retinopathy, a common vision problem among premature infants. Although she is "legally blind," surgery stabilized her vision and glasses allowed for a happy and independent childhood. However, when Hope entered first grade she began getting severe headaches. Her eye doctor determined they could be from her low vision issues and referred her to The Sight Center. Upon evaluation, it was determined that Hope suffered from photophobia, an intolerance to light that was being magnified by the daily exposure to the fluorescent classroom lights. The Sight Center staff provided magnifiers to help her visual acuity, however, from Hope’s view it was the prescription Glare Cutter glasses that really made the difference. "Since I started wearing my new glasses with the yellow-green tint, I don’t get headaches at school," Hope explained.

"Hope isn’t frustrated in the classroom anymore," explained Hope’s mother, Tammy Crandall. "Now that the headaches are gone she looks forward to going to school and comes home with energy to face the rest of the day!"

Learn more about Children Services