Hi, my name is Heather and I am creating this for my father David. In 1992, he started having issues with seeing at work in the dark coal mines and nighttime driving. His optometrist suspected that he may have a genetic eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and referred him to John Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. Once examined, it was confirmed that my father did in fact have RP.

Even though there is no cure for this disease or for my father to regain his eyesight, there is a large amount of technology that can assist with him being independent and safe in his daily life. We have been working with Low Vision Clinic at UPMC and he has been prescribed Reverse Telescopic Lenses and a few other techonology devices. None of the devices he needs are covered by Medicare. When my father tried these lenses on during our visit, it was amazing how much of the area he can see widened. After the session, my father was in tears about how much he was able to see with the lenses and realized how beneficial they would be to his quality of life. Quickly after hearing the approximate cost, my father became very discouraged. My family and I appreciate your consideration in donating to my father’s lenses and assistive technology devices.