Medical Services
LOW
Dr. Ranjoo Prasad provides a variety of services for those with impaired vision that cannot be fully restored by glasses, contact lenses, surgery or medicine.
Common conditions that can cause low vision include diabetes, macular degeneration, glaucoma and other conditions that affect the retina and optic nerve.
RANJOO K. PRASAD, OD
Director, Low Vision
Slide
About Low Vision at Wills Eye
The Low Vision Center at Wills Eye offers patients the opportunity to make the best possible use of their remaining vision through a comprehensive rehabilitative process.
Our specialist uses a systematic approach to manage ocular diseases that cause permanent vision loss, such as Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, and Diabetic Retinopathy by assessing how vision impairment affects daily activities and find ways to help patients achieve their goals. An essential aspect of the evaluation is addressing the emotional adaptation to vision loss
We prescribe both optical and non-optical aids to enhance visual function, including magnifiers, telescopes, and electronic devices. These tools, along with technology and adaptations, help patients perform daily tasks, regain independence, and improve their quality of life. Our team collaborates with vision rehabilitation professionals and provides referrals to relevant agencies and resources.
Slide 1
Contact Dr. Prasad
Location
840 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
CLINIC HOURS:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Low Vision Resource Guide
Resources for the Blind/Visually Impaired
Pennsylvania Library for Accessible Media
Free Library of Philadelphia…………….800-222-1754
Free lending service includes downloads or a player and books on cartridges mailed directly to your home. Provided for those who have difficulty reading due to a vision challenge, physical impairment, or a reading disability.
www.freelibrary.org/lbph/
1500 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia., PA 19130
American Printing House VisionAware...................800-232-5463
An AFB program providing timely information, step-by-step daily living techniques, a directory of national and local services, and a supportive online community.
www.visionaware.org
Carousel House Recreation Center…….215-685-0160
Program for Visually Impaired Adults meets every Wednesday, 10am to 2pm, from October to May. Activities include bingo, cards, music, luncheons, special events and trips. The 1st Wednesday of each month is a Drop-In Day for anyone. Registration is mandatory. www.carouselhouserebuild.org
Temporary Location – Gustine Recreation Center
4868 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia 19129
Ears for Eyes Enrichment
Audio Resource Services, Inc...........800-843-6816
Free audio lessons that teach practical techniques for adaptive daily living skills to the vision impaired and their caregivers. A vision counselor will determine which lessons are appropriate for you to begin with.
www.earsforeyes.org
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)..........................................800-424-8567
Available in all states. Request brochure and an application.
www.loc.gov/nls
Free White Cane Program........................410-659-9314
Free white canes available through the National Federation of the Blind.
www.nfb.org/free-cane-program
Guide Dog Foundation.............................631-930-9000
A program that matches each applicant with the guide dog that suits his/her personality, lifestyle, and physical needs
www.guidedog.org
1755 N 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Philadelphia Achilles - Blind Running Group
Local chapter welcomes all disabilities, including visual impairment, to participate in a weekly running program
www.phillyachilles.com
Temple Tech Owl……….………………….800-204-7428
Institute on Disabilities at Temple University provides assistive technology to borrow, to increase awareness, access and acquisition of adaptive devices.
www.techowlpa.org
1755 N 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Utility Companies and other companies may offer bills in large print, Braille, or may even be willing to read the bill to you over the phone.
Be sure to ask!
Support Groups and Mental Health Services
Your Vision for Life Dr. Andre Watson…........215-631-3230
Affordable mental health services committed to helping individuals, families, and communities to reach their potential.
8699 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082
www.yourvisionforlife.com
Pennsylvania Council of the Blind...……877-617-7407
A peer network for all impacted by vision loss, with free network registration. Benefits include one-on-one mentoring, topical group discussion calls with peers, vision loss resource database services, etc.
www.pcb1.org
Transportation
Modivcare - Medical Assistance Transportation Program
o Pennsylvania………………………..…877-835-7412
o New Jersey………….…....…………….866-527-9933
o Delaware………...…………..………….866-832-7534
GoGoGrandparent (Uber/Lyft)…………..855-464-6872
No smart phone needed, text alerts for families, visually-impaired friendly, with no extra buttons to push. Door-to-
door rides available 24/7. No need to schedule in advance.
www. gogograndparent.com/
SEPTA-CCT-Customized Community Transportation
Paratransit (for persons with disabilities)
Philadelphia County………………………...215-580-7145
Chester County, Rover Transportation…...484-696-3854
Montgomery County, TransNet…………….215-542-7433
Delaware County, Community Transit…....610-490-3977
Bucks County Transport……………..……..215-794-5554
Hometown Transportation New Jersey………......856-304-1197
State Agencies
Pennsylvania Bureau of Blindness and Visual Service (BBVS)...…………………………………....215-560-5700
Independent living education and training.
www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Disability-Services/bbvs/Pages/default.aspx
Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)……………………………………… 800-442-6381
Services offered to prepare for, maintain, or obtain employment.
www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Disability-Services/bbvs/Pages/default.aspx
New Jersey: Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI)……………………………877-685-8878
Delaware: Division for the Visually Impaired (DVI)…302-255-9800
County Based Programs
PHILADELPHIA
VisionLink……………..………...................215-627-0600
www.visionlinkphl.org
BUCKS
Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI).........................................................610-874-1476
www.cbvi.net
100 W. Fifteenth Street, Chester, PA 19013
DELAWARE
Bucks County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.……………………………...…..…215-968-9400
www.bucksblind.org
400 Freedom Dr, Newtown PA 18940
MONTGOMERY
Montgomery County Association for the Blind
(MCAB)………………………………........215-661-9800
LANCASTER
Lancaster, Chester, Lebanon, Adams, York VisionCorps...............................................717-291-5951
www.visioncorps.net
244 N Queen St. Lancaster PA 17603
NEW JERSEY
New Jersey Commission for the Blind and
Visually Impaired (NJCBVI)…………....……..….…856-451-5623
Newark Service Center…………………....973-648-2111
Cherry Hill Service Center………………..856-482-3700
DELAWARE
New Castle Division of the Visually Impaired
Main Office................................................302-255-9800
Kent/Sussex
Milford Street Service Center…...........…302-424-7240
Cost Saving Programs
GoodRx…...……………………………..…..888-277-3911
To find the lowest price for prescriptions, this website locates pharmacies by zip code and offers coupons online.
www.goodrx.com/
New Eyes…………….................................973-376-4903
This agency assists with paying for basic eyeglasses for those in need. Contact the number above for more information.
www.neweyes.com
Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF)………….…………...……………..…888-744-1938
To provide education and financing opportunities for those with disabilities & older Pennsylvanians to acquire assistive technology devices and services.
1004 9th Ave, #130, King of Prussia, PA 19406
www.patf.us