News Release

09/09/08
THE EYE SITE Exhibit Kick-Off Events at Providence Public Library --
Sunday, September 21

THE EYE SITE, the National Eye Institute’s traveling exhibit on low vision, visits the Central Library of the Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, Providence, from September 11–October 30, 2008. Kick-off events on Sunday, September 21 in the Lippitt Hall (First Floor) begin at 1:30 pm with a light reception and include a keynote address by Christopher A. Butler, Executive Director if In-Sight Rhode Island (2:00 pm), and FREE Vision Screenings by Providence Optical (2:30 pm). Children and adults welcome!

The free exhibit will be located on the first floor (Lippitt Hall) during the Library’s public hours through October 30. For more information and details on additional programs and presentations, including Seeing Eye Dogs, Eye Health, and Vision Enhancing Technologies check our calendar.

THE EYE SITE includes five kiosks with interactive multimedia touch screen programs and panels that describe causes of low vision, warning signs, local resources and a self-assessment. One of the kiosks features assistive devices. The interactive program, which is available in English and Spanish, also features a variety of videos and ELVEE (“L-V” for Low Vision), the program’s animated guide.

Low vision is a visual impairment not correctable by regular eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery. It interferes with a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. It can result from a variety of diseases, disorders and injuries that affect the eye. Many people with low vision have cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness and low vision.

Since 2001 an estimated 45 million people have visited THE EYE SITE at 113 venues in 44 states and the District of Columbia.

The National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, developed THE EYE SITE for its Low Vision Education Program. The program is designed to help people understand what low vision is (vision problems that interfere with a person’s ability to perform everyday activities) and explain what resources are available to stay independent despite vision loss. Millions of Americans have low vision.

To learn more about NEI, visit www.nei.nih.gov. Learn more about low vision at www.nei.nih.gov/nehep.

Providence Public Library is committed to providing quality programming on a variety of educational topics. The views and opinions expressed therein are those of the individual presenters and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Library. We welcome community members to work with us to provide free, thought-provoking events of interest.

A 130-year-old private, not-for-profit institution, Providence Public Library is dedicated to providing free educational, lifelong learning and enrichment opportunities for all, regardless of background, age or income.