MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Vision, often taken for granted, is the most dominant of our senses and plays a critical role in every facet and stage of our lives. From learning to walk to participating in school and work, vision is integral. However, vision loss can affect people of all ages, with most individuals experiencing impairment or blindness over the age of 50.

According to the 2022 National Health Interview Survey, an estimated 50.18 million American adults aged 18 and older reported experiencing some degree of vision loss. Vision impairment occurs when an eye condition affects the visual system and its functions. Everyone, if they live long enough, will experience at least one eye condition in their lifetime that will require appropriate care.

To address visual impairment, the Eye to Eye Low Vision Support Group was founded 26 years ago in Marion County. The late Kay Whitehead, wife of the late Dr. William Whitehead, established the group in 1998 to provide support, resources, and educational materials for community residents who were either blind or losing their vision.

The group is dedicated to educating, connecting to resources, and maintaining independence for people with vision problems. “The more vision loss you have, the more independence you lose,” says Mike Fogle, the group’s current President. “We show people ways that they can continue to be independent. There is no cost ever for anything that we provide them.”

Fogle elaborates on the resources provided to group members, which include magnifying viewers for reading, automated readers, talking clocks, giant-sized calendars, and white support canes with red tips. The group also invites speakers to their monthly meetings to share community resources for the visually impaired. These programs feature information sessions presented by various medical professionals, local first responders, and representatives of local organizations.

The Eye to Eye Low Vision Support Group works closely with local Lions Clubs, which provide financial support and supply the white support canes for the group. The group also receives operational grants from the Marion Foundation.

The support group meets from April to December on the second Friday of each month at Central Christian Church, 421 Mount Vernon Ave. The meetings begin at 10 a.m. and usually last about 90 minutes. The group does not meet during the winter months (January through March).

For information about the support group, contact Ernie Breece at 740-382-8986. Information is also available on the group’s Eye to Eye Low Vision Support Marion, Ohio Facebook page.

Anyone wishing to support the group financially can mail checks to Eye to Eye Low Vision Support Group, 723 Oak Drive, Marion, OH 43302.

For more information, please contact: Ernie Breece Phone: 740-382-8986 Address: Eye to Eye Low Vision Support Group, 723 Oak Drive, Marion, OH 43302