May is Healthy Vision Month. It is celebrated to stress the importance of the health of our eyes and vision. Established in 2003 by the National Eye Institute, the goal is to spread awareness and educate society about the risks of ignoring overall eye health. One main goal for the month is to encourage individuals to have regular eye exams and checkups. It is important to be proactive and not wait for vision problems to start.

Approximately 39 million people in the world are blind and six times as many are visually impaired or have some type of sight impairment. Some eye conditions can cause vision loss and even blindness. These include Cataracts, a clouding of the eye. Diabetic retinopathy, which causes damage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye. Glaucoma, damage to the optic nerve, often with increased eye pressure. Age-related macular degeneration, which gradually affects central vision.

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5 ways to protect and support healthy vision.

1. A healthy diet is very important for good vision. Eating healthy supports every part of your body. To help your eyes, make sure you have dark, leafy greens and seafood that is high in omega three fatty acids in your diet.
2. Wearing protective eyewear keeps your eyes safe during many activities. Protective eyewear is not only just when playing sports. Everyday activities, especially outside where different environments can have items or objects blowing through the air can be dangerous for your eyes. Some activities such as mowing the lawn, cutting firewood, or even painting can put your eye safety at risk. It is also important, with as much time as we look at screens, that we start wearing blue light protection glasses. These glasses can prevent the blue light from damaging our eyes and will assist with the wear of our everyday screen viewing.
3. Wearing sunglasses will help protect your eyes from the UV rays (ultraviolet radiation) that the sun produces every day. It is significant to note that not all sunglasses provide levels of protection from UV rays. When shopping for sunglasses, it is vital to ask what type of UV protection the glasses provide. Sunglasses with both UVA and UVB protection will provide the most defense.
4. Clean hands are very important to your eye health. Keeping your hands clean will aid in keeping dirt and possible infections from your eyes. We wipe and rub our eyes constantly throughout the day and even the slightest dirt or germs can have real, long-lasting effects. It is also key to make sure your hands are clean, especially if you use contacts and are putting them in or taking them out.
5. Smoking is detrimental to your eye health. Smoking has been linked to many diseases, but it can also lead to vision loss. Smoking can increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and other vision impairment.

North Central Sight Services, Inc (NCSS) recently received a grant of $126,750.00 from the Williamsport Lycoming Community Fund at the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP) to be used for the Restroom Low Vision Solution Renovation.

Built in 1987 as an industrial site, the building that houses North Central Sight Services was constructed prior to the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Since purchasing the site in 2007, NCSS has made many updates to renovate the facility to meet ADA standards and fit the needs of our associates, many of whom are people with visual disabilities. Like our other restrooms in our facility, our renovated restroom will not only meet ADA standards for mobility but will be designed with high contrast color so floors, countertops, walls and doors are easily defined. This renovation will not only give our associates and visitors an updated facility, but it will also make mobility much easier.

“We are thrilled by the support from FCFP to update our restrooms. It is imperative that we are able to continue to make our building our ADA compliant and accessible to all employees and visitors.” Said Kim Zimmer, President/CEO of North Central Sight Services, Inc.

North Central Sight Services in partnership with First Community Foundation Partnership is pleased to announce its new renovation of Low Vision Solution restrooms. Featuring extra wide doors and high contrast fixtures, walls and floors, the restrooms provide people with low vision and other disabilities, an easily accessible space. NCSS with the help of FCFP, continue to improve the lives and working environment of people with disabilities in Lycoming County.

Part of NCSS’ mission is to create sustainable, person-centered employment. This renovation will let our employees with visual impairments, know that their needs are being recognized, acknowledged, and met. Our mission is also to foster positive change, awareness and advocacy while removing barriers. Updating our facility is a positive change that shows our employees with visual or physical disabilities that we are aware of their needs and are working to remove any and all barriers possible while they are employed at North Central Sight Services.

Help Protect Your Eyes, Help Prevent Injuries.

Eye injuries are a common cause of blindness. Many of these injuries are a result of sports-related activities. It is unfortunate, but many eye injuries are serious and can result in a loss of sight. A simple but important way to avoid these injuries is by wearing protective eyewear. Protective eyewear will help keep eyes safe from flying objects, elbows, fingers, weather related airborne objects or other possible environmental hazards.

 

Think the risk of an eye injury is not serious? Below are some facts that may change your mind.

• Emergency rooms treat more than 40,000 eye injuries annually as a result from sports related injuries. 
• Racquetballs can reach upwards of 200 mph in competitive play while tennis and badminton objects can go 60 mph or more during competitions.
• Many sports involve rackets and swinging objects at high rates of speed in confined places or close, person-to-person contact. These activities lead to encounters and interactions that will result in injuries. Many of these injuries are in the facial area due to the contact and support being played.

 

Sports eyewear does not have the same qualities or characteristics as regular eyeglasses or other everyday worn eyewear. Sports eyewear is specifically designed to suit the needs of each individual sport. Many of them are designed to fit while wearing helmets when playing football, baseball, hockey or other activities such as biking.

Protective lenses are manufactured from polycarbonate. This is a durable and impact resistant material made with full UV protection. The frames are usually designed with the same polycarbonate or impact resistant plastic. They come with rubber padding on the areas that connect to your face. Depending upon the style, some contour and wrap around the face which provides complete and secure coverage.

It is important to have proper sizing and well-fitting eyewear for the individual. There is no one size fits all when it comes to protective eyewear, especially for sports activities. Eyewear that is too large or too small will not only affect the individual and their performance but will likely discourage the individual from wearing the eyewear all together. Eyewear, especially for children, should be assessed every year.

     

 

Join Us in Welcoming our New Leadership!

 

North Central Sight Services is pleased to announce the appointment of Kim Zimmer as president and CEO and the promotion of Brandy Moon to chief operations officer.

Zimmer, who previously served as president and CEO of Hellen Keller Services in Brooklyn, NY, has over 20 years of executive leadership experience in nonprofit organizations. At Hellen Keller Services, Zimmer led strategic planning, financial management, fundraising, people management, operations and marketing, with a focus on serving individuals who are blind or visually impaired in New York City or have combined hearing and vision loss across the United States.

She also formerly held positions as chief marketing officer and senior vice president, global development, for Goodwill Industries International; and chief operating officer and vice president, corporate communications, for National Industries for the Blind.

“Throughout her career, Kim has been committed to assisting people who are blind or visually impaired or have other disabilities achieve their employment goals and grow their independence,” said Mike Bridgham, chair of the North Central Sight Services’ Board of Directors. “Kim is just the forward-thinking and dynamic servant-leader we need to continue to grow our client services and business services, all to achieve our mission of enhancing independence for individuals with unique visual capabilities.”

Said Zimmer, “At North Central Sight Services there is a shared culture of camaraderie, resourcefulness, ingenuity and commitment to mission. There is a remarkable standard of quality that every team member exhibits in the products and services they deliver. I am thrilled to now be part of this team and excited to drive North Central Sight Services’ mission forward.”

Moon was previously human resources director and executive assistant to the CEO at North Central Sight Services. In her new role as chief operations officer, she will oversee day-to-day operational and administrative functions for the organization, including human resources, industry operations, programs and services, and commercial services.

“Brandy is a keystone for North Central Sight Services,” Zimmer said. “She has extensive institutional knowledge and is tremendously passionate about improving the lives of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. She also successfully stepped up as an interim leader during the organization’s recent executive search, and her peers look up to her for guidance and support. I look forward to having Brandy by my side in her new leadership role.”

Prior to her tenure at North Central Sight Services, Moon was human resources manager for River Valley Regional YMCA in Williamsport, PA. Moon holds the SHRM Senior Certified Professional credential from the Society for Human Resource Management and is a graduate of the Leadership Lycoming, a leadership development program offered by the Williamsport/ Lycoming Chamber of Commerce. She is currently pursuing her master’s in business administration at the University of Scranton.

Please join us in welcoming Kim and congratulating Brandy!

 

Backpacks, clothes, shoes and school supplies are at the top of the list for parents as they send their children back to school. These items are essential to prepare children for a successful year. With the busy pace of a new school year, eye exams are often missed. However, a child’s vision changes frequently during the early school years, adding importance to getting a functional eye exam. For income-eligible children living in Bradford, Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga counties, North Central Sight Services, Inc. (NCSS) is here to help.

 

NCSS’s Functional Vision Clinic provides income-eligible children with a complete eye examination with a pediatric optometrist who specializes in testing for visual-related learning problems. The clinic is held monthly at NCSS’s facility in Williamsport and the cost of an exam is $10.

 

According to the American Optometric Association, at least 5% of preschoolers and 25% of school-aged children have vision problems. These problems create complications when the eyes try to send accurate and clear messages to the brain.

 

It is not uncommon for young children to have difficulty identifying and communicating vision problems. Parents and caregivers can help by looking for the following common signs of vision issues in their children:

 

• Poor eye-hand coordination
• Alternate uses of the right and left hands
• Difficulty when studying visual information
• Trouble concentrating and learning
• Closing one eye during activities like reading or watching TV
• Avoiding activities that require near vision (reading, homework, computer use) or distance vision (sports, other recreational activities)
• Poor school performance
• Headaches and/or complaints of tired eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Eyes tear up for no apparent reason

 

A comprehensive exam at NCSS’s Functional Vision Clinic can identify potential vision issues and offer solutions if any problems are identified.

 

As a new school year is now underway, parents are encouraged to consider the eye health of their children and reach out to NCSS to schedule an exam. In addition to clothes and school supplies, a functional eye exam is a critical part of preparing your child to have a successful school year.

 

For more than 65 years, NCSS has assisted individuals who are blind or visually impaired to live independently and maximize their quality of life. The organization helps prevent vision loss through education programs and screenings for children and adults. NCSS offers adjustment services for people losing their vision, support services, employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired, and a prevention of blindness program.

 

For more information on vision screenings and related services, contact NCSS at (570) 323-9401.

Jon Klotz, president of Natural Waterscapes in South Williamsport, believes in the importance of community partnerships and looks for opportunities to engage with mission-focused organizations like North Central Sight Services, Inc. (NCSS). When his company dramatically expanded its line and method of business, Jon turned to NCSS for fulfillment services.

Natural Waterscapes was founded in 2007 to provide water resource management services throughout the country. As the business grew, a clear demand for high-quality pond and lake treatment resources emerged. Natural Waterscapes shifted its focus from a full-service business to one focused on providing superior products for pond and lake managers. When COVID-19 hit and consumers began focusing on improving their properties, the demand for pond and lake products skyrocketed. Natural Waterscapes revamped its business to a virtual platform and looked to NCSS for help packaging and sending its products to consumers.

“We needed warehouse space and help fulfilling orders,” Jon says. “NCSS was the perfect partner for us.”

NCSS provides storage space for large quantities of bulk products. When orders are placed through online sites like Amazon, NCSS employees repackage and ship the orders to customers. Currently, NCSS employs four people to package and four people to label and ship the orders. Last year, the organization distributed 2,778 units of products for Natural Waterscapes.

By serving as a packaging and distribution center, NCSS provides high-quality assistance for local businesses while generating employment for people who are blind or visually impaired.

“Our business services efforts align with our mission of helping people who are blind or visually impaired maintain their independence,”, says Amy Alexander, Development Director for NCSS. “Our employees provide excellent customer service and take great pride in their work.”

For Jon and his team at Natural Waterscapes, working with NCSS has been a winning partnership.

“It has been a rewarding experience, every step of the way,” Jon says. “We are proud to partner with NCSS and grateful for the excellent service they provide.”

For more than 65 years, NCSS has assisted individuals who are blind or visually impaired to live independently and maximize their quality of life. The organization helps prevent vision loss through education programs and screenings for children and adults. NCSS offers adjustment services for people losing their vision, support services, employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired, and a prevention of blindness program.

For more information on business partnerships and related services, contact NCSS at (570) 323-9401.

Gaining Independence Through Assistive Technology

Reading a favorite book or checking email messages from friends is a common part of a typical day but, for people with visual impairments, these activities may require a little assistance. Thanks to the Low Vision Store at North Central Sight Services, Inc. (NCSS), transformational changes happen daily in the lives of its clients through the use of Assistive Technology. From hand-held magnifiers to wearable devices, the Low Vision Store helps visually impaired people of all ages increase their independence and quality of life.

For Brandon DeArment, technology specialist at NCSS, spending time with clients to connect them with appropriate technology makes his job very rewarding. Brandon started with NCSS three years ago. Brandon previously worked in the IT field for over 30 years. His professional knowledge and his compassion for helping others makes him uniquely qualified to lead the Low Vision Store and its Assistive Technology Lab.

“I love helping people regain their ability to read,” Brandon says. “Their lives are changed through the basic and advanced devices we provide.”

Three years ago, NCSS launched its Assistive Technology Lab to provide advanced devices. Through the support of grant funding, the organization built the lab as part of the Low Vision Store and purchased the necessary devices to make the lab one of the most state-of-the-art facilities in the region. Through the lab, Brandon keeps up with the latest advancements in devices like the Amazon Echo to best serve clients.

“Technology changes rapidly with impressive advancements,” Brandon adds. “I encourage people to visit our store to learn what latest changes might suit their needs.”

In addition to its location at the NCSS office in Williamsport, the Low Vision Store is mobile, traveling to places like elementary schools and nursing homes for evaluations. With its vast geographic footprint, the mobile lab provides life-changing services to clients who lack transportation or awareness of the resources available in the community.

For many clients, the potential cost of Assistive Technology deters them from exploring their options. Through grant support, NCSS works with clients to secure personal grants and low-cost loans.

For Brandon, the trends in technology are exciting as they will provide more opportunities for people with visual impairments. Brandon has seen the transformation of portable E-reader devices, which are used to magnify documents, advance to offer audio commands, liking reading a menu or bus schedule. For individuals with visual impairments, growth in technology will widen the choice and scope of devices.

“We can help people live life to the fullest,” Brandon says. “I can’t imagine a more rewarding career.”

For more than 65 years, NCSS has assisted individuals who are blind or visually impaired to live independently and maximize their quality of life. The organization helps prevent vision loss through education programs and screenings for children and adults. NCSS offers adjustment services for people losing their vision, support services, employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired, and a prevention of blindness program.

For more information on services for people with low vision, contact NCSS at (570) 323-9401.