Erie's "blind center" is making plans to move from the Cherry Street site to improve services for clients.

While those plans are preliminary, the resources provided to patients have been in place for 72 years.

Surprisingly just 1% of the patients who utilize services at Erie's Vision and Blindness Resources are completely blind.

The center at 2402 Cherry Street offers three components of services.

1) Blindness Prevention
5,000 Erie kids a year are screened for vision problems
the service is free of charge
screenings run from August to April
7-8% of the children tested in preschools, day cares, and child centers have diagnosed vision problems that if caught early can be treated



2) Vision Rehabilitation
services are for clients who are losing vision due to age related conditions
large print books, check books, kitchen safety devices, magnifiers are just some of the resources available
help is provided to stroke victims, patients who suffer from macular degeneration and glaucoma, diabetes patients
therapists work with clients through exercises that teach them to use what's left of their vision to the best of their abilities



3) Quality of Life Services
the center regularly transports more than 200 clients to doctor's appointments, the grocery store, even the salon
workers visit the homes of clients to help them read their mail, pay bills, balance check books

To learn more on the services provided check out:

http://www.vbr-erie.org/