IOWA / NEBRASKA Nebraska Lions Eye Bank, Inc. The Nebraska Optometric Outlook Nebraska, Inc. (ONI) Radio Talking Book Service (RTBS) • We take great pride in providing the highest Association (NOA) “Opportunities for People Who Are Blind” RTBS provides information to persons who have quality of eye tissue for transplant to restore The NOA's over 240 optometrists provide • Mission: To Enhance the Quality of Life of the Blind visual or physical disabilities which prevent them from vision to those with corneal difficulties, while comprehensive, primary eye care throughout and Visually Impaired. reading printed material. There are two key program maintaining the utmost dignity and care of our Nebraska. To find an optometrist, go to: • ONI was formed in early 2000 to promote areas. donor and our donor families. www.nebraska.aoa.org. employment of the blind and visually impaired. The Radio Talking Book Network, founded in • We recover, evaluate, process and distribute Optometrists ensure people in their communities • ONI provides employment and workplace training 1974, is Nebraska’s only radio reading service. human donor eye tissue for the purpose of have access to convenient, comprehensive, primary to the blind and visually impaired in a converting Newspapers, magazines, and books are read to transplant in the State of Nebraska. and specialty eyecare care through: operation that supplies 100 percent recycled fiber a statewide audience 24 hours a day. Special radio • We are medically governed by the Food and Drug • InfantSEE - a comprehensive eye assessment content washroom paper products to the U.S. receivers are loaned at no cost to listeners. Administration and certified by the Eye Bank at no cost for infants in their first year. Government and other customers. Textbooks are recorded for college students through Association of America. • See to Learn - gives a no-cost vision assessment • ONI is the largest employer of the blind and the Listening Link program. The Lions Eye Bank of Nebraska, Inc. has been in to three-year-olds. visually impaired in Nebraska, and we offer our Contact Information: business for 51 years, and we were one of the first • The Nebraska Foundation for Children's Vision - employees a variety of positions, including Phone: 402-572-3003 (voice) chartered Eye Banks of the Eye Bank Association the NFCV works to educate the community about leadership roles. 800-729-7826 (800-SAY-RTBN) (voice) of America. The Nebraska Lions were instrumental the unique vision needs of children. • ONI focuses on many aspects of the personal goals E-mail: [email protected] in starting the Eye Bank, and they maintain their • Vision USA - helps low income, uninsured families and professional advancement of the blind and vi- Website: www.rtbs.org involvement by making up 51 percent of the Eye by providing eye exams and spectacles at no sually impaired. Bank’s Board of Directors. charge. • ONI offers competitive wages and benefits to an Weigel Williamson Center for Contact Information: • Healthy Athletes Opening Eyes - NOA members underutilized, but very capable, group of Americans. Visual Rehabilitation 985541 Nebraska Medical Center volunteer to conduct vision screenings at the Contact Information: At the Weigel Williamson Center, we are dedicated to Omaha, NE 68198-5541 State Special Olympics. helping individuals maintain their independence, spirit, Phone: 402-559-4039 4125 South 72nd Street • Low Vision Rehabilitation - Optometrists assist Omaha, NE 68127 and quality of life despite irreversible vision loss. Our those with vision loss to continue their daily Phone: 402-614-3331 skilled physicians use the latest advances in Nebraska Lions Foundation activities; such as reading, using a computer, technology to determine the tools, including magnifiers This brochure has been developed by the and driving. This involves prescribing and training E-mail: [email protected] The Nebraska Lions Foundation is supported by the Website: www.outlooknebraska.org and telescopic devices, and training activities that are Coalition of Vision Resources to Lions Clubs of Nebraska. The Foundation supports a with aids, such as magnifiers and telescopes, needed to assist each individual in maximizing the use improving quality of life and ensuring number of services for the blind and visually and of their remaining vision. Our skilled therapists provide educate Nebraskans and Iowans about independence. Prevent Blindness hearing impaired. This includes a Mobile Screening this training in our specialized low vision house, and, Unit which travels the state providing vision and other Contact Information: Prevent Blindness Iowa and Prevent Blindness in some cases, in the individual's own home. In the continuum of vision services health screenings to school children and the public. 1633 Normandy Court, Suite A Nebraska’s mission is to preserve sight and prevent addition to these professional services, a low vision available. Listed is contact information and Lincoln, NE 68512 blindness for a lifetime of healthy vision. The four core We support the Nebraska Lions Eye Bank financially. store is also located at the Center. Phone: 402-474-7716 services provided by the organizations are: background on the organizations We also support Leader Dog for the Blind and E-mail: [email protected] Contact Information • Vision screening for preschool age children International Hearing Dog. Website: www.nebraska.aoa.org Mailing Address: 986085 Nebraska Medical Center participating. Questions may be directed and adults We provide transportation for people from Omaha, NE 68198-6085 Nebraska to the Weigel Williamson Center for Visual • Educational programs for all ages on various Phone: 402-559-2463 to the perspective organization. Rehabilitation, located on the campus of the University vision related topics E-mail: [email protected] of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha; this is • Training and certification programs for health Website: www.unmc.edu/lowvision presented in their own article here. professionals Iowa Nebraska • Vision Care Outreach to help people in need Vision Problems Contact Information: Vision Impairment 43,716 22,959 800 Sherman Street obtain eye exams and glasses in the U.S. 2008 The Coalition of Vision National Eye Cases of Blindness 12,359 6,490 Papillion, NE 68046-3783 Contact Information In Iowa: Resources would like Macular Degeneration (50 over) 28,346 14,625 Phone: 402-339-3364 (Voice and Fax) Phone: 515-244-4341 to thank Lions Club Institute and Cataract 270,038 144,457 Website: www.preventblindness.org/Iowa International for Prevent Blindness Diabetic Retinopathy 44,851 25,185 Contact Information In Nebraska: providing funding America. Glaucoma (age 40 and over) 23,651 13,013 With the help of technological advancements at Outlook for this brochure. Nebraska, Inc., Robert Lockwood is able to independently Phone: 402-505-6119 operate a tissue overwrap machine as it talks to him. Website: www.preventblindness.org/Nebraska versely affect a person throughout life. Iowa Lions Leader Dog for the Blind. Register and local papers in eight additional • Educational assistance such as tuition, books, Coalition of Vision Resources Club members provide screenings as a community We provide transportation for people from Southwest communities across the state. equipment and readers service project to help detect problems early. Iowa to the Weigel Williamson Center for Visual • IRIS broadcasts readings of grocery ads, • Provide transition programs to school age Contact Information: Rehabilitation, located on the campus of the obituaries, and many national publications such individuals Iowa Academy of Ophthalmology Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) 2346 Mormon Trek Blvd. Ste. 2700 University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, • Peer support and counseling The Academy represents eye physicians and surgeons The IDB is a comprehensive state agency dedicated Iowa City, IA 52246 Readers Digest, and Oprah Magazine. • Information and Referral across Iowa. Our mission is to promote the highest Contact Information: to providing services to blind and visually impaired Phone: 319-353-7616 • Multiple methods of delivery allow IRIS to reach • Consultation services for agencies and community quality medical and surgical eye care through public 2300 South Duff Iowans. Website: www.IowaKidSight.org our listeners wherever they live, offering our organizations which come into contact with blind and professional education, membership services, Ames, Iowa 50010 • Vocational rehabilitation services providing help in readings through FM and Digital Television signals, and visually impaired persons and legislative advocacy. We implement our mission Phone: 515-232-2215 finding or retaining a job after vision loss. live web streaming, downloads and mobile access. Individuals are eligible to receive services if they in the following ways: Iowa Lions Eye Bank (ILEB) Fax: 515-232-5590 • Independent living services for seniors with vision Since 1955, the ILEB has operated as a non-profit E-mail: [email protected] Contact Information: have a visual condition which may lead to blindness, • Our website includes information for the public on or if their sight seriously limits their ability to engage loss or those with multiple disabilities who choose community based organization, dedicated to enhancing 100 E. Euclid Ave, Suite 117 eye health and screening resources as well as not to work. Des Moines, IA 50313 day-to-day activities, obtaining or maintaining updates for our members on important the quality of life by restoring and preserving sight Iowa Optometric Association • Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Phone: 515-243-6833 employment. There is no cost for our services. professional and legislative issues. through transplant and research. ILEB serves over 3 The Iowa Optometric Association is made up of Handicapped, providing access to Braille, large Toll free (in Iowa): 877-404-4747 Contact Information: • We offer educational seminars for physicians, million Iowa residents and over 120 Iowa hospitals as approximately 440 optometrists that provide primary print and audio books and magazines. Also the vital link between donors and cornea recipients, E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 1-877-809-2419 nurses, technicians, and coding/compliance and specialty eye care to their patients. There is an Website: www.ncbvi.ne.gov produces textbooks for students throughout Iowa. as well as a dedicated research partner in developing Website: www.iowaradioreading.org professionals, based on the needs of our members. optometrist’s office in almost every community – visit • Adult Orientation & Adjustment Center, providing new and more effective prevention and treatment • We represent the interests of Iowa our website at www.iowaoptometry.org and click on intensive residential training to blind and visually options for blinding eye disease. ILEB became the Nebraska Academy of Eye Nebraska Library Commission ophthalmologists and the public with regard “Find a Doctor” to locate an optometrist near you. impaired Iowans ages 18 and older. The program first eye bank in the nation to prepare grafts for Physicians and Surgeons Talking Book and Braille Service to vision in the State and Federal Legislatures provides an environment for students to build Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Iowa Optometric Association Programs The regional library serving all of Nebraska, the Talking and Regulatory Bodies. • To represent the interests of Nebraska their confidence and learn the skills to keep (DMEK) and consistently provides the highest quality • Diabetes education Ophthalmologists before state policy makers and Book and Braille Service provides free of charge: • We collaborate with the Iowa Optometric Association, them independent. of corneal tissue for Endothelial Keratoplasty (EK) as to maximize influence on public policy decisions. • Audio books and magazines. Prevent Blindness Iowa, Iowa Kidsight, and the Iowa • Pre & school aged developmental brochures The IDB believes that with the proper training and well as Laser Assisted Keratoplasty (LAK); innovative • Student vision cards for schools • To provide quality continuing medical education • Playback equipment. Department for the Blind toward shared goals. procedures that provide the best possible visual encouragement, a blind or visually impaired • Education for all ages on eye health (CME) for Ophthalmologists and their technical • Braille, with an emphasis on children’s and young Contact Information: outcomes for cornea transplant patients. and office staff in the state of Nebraska. adult’s. individual can live as successful and productive • InfantSEE® (No cost assessment for infants Phone: 515-984-6383 • Collection of recorded books and magazines about a life as his or her sighted peers. There are 10 million people worldwide suffering from six to 12 months – www.infantsee.org.) • To become initiators of both legislative and E-mail: [email protected] corneal blindness. Ninety percent of the 10 million regulatory action aimed at affecting the practice Nebraska and the Great Plains Contact Information: • Vision USA™ - For those who qualify, VISION USA Website: www.IowaEyeDocs.org suffering from curable cornea blindness live because and delivery of ophthalmic services. 524 4th Street provides basic eye health and vision care services The Nebraska Library Commission is responsible for of established eye banks. Des Moines, IA 50309 free of charge to uninsured, low-income people • To provide education and resources to Nebraska the statewide promotion, development and Ophthalmologists. Phone: 515-281-1333 Contact Information: and their families. coordination of library services. The Commission 200 Hawkins Drive, # 11206 • To be an advocate for ophthalmic health issues works with public, school, college and university, Toll free (in Iowa): 800-362-2587 Contact Information: Iowa City, IA 52242 and to improve the ocular health of Nebraskans. special and institutional libraries. E-mail: [email protected] 6150 Village View Drive, Suite 105 Phone: 319-356-2864 In addition to Talking Book and Braille Service, other Website: www.idbonline.org West Des Moines, IA 50266 Contact Information: Website: www.iowalionseyebank.org primary Commission services include: Phone: 1-800-444-1772 233 S. 13th Street, Suite 1200 Iowa KidSight Website: www.iowaoptometry.org Lincoln, NE 68508 • Planning and Data Services, Iowa KidSight is a joint project of the Lions Clubs of Iowa Lions Foundation Phone: 402-474-4472 • Reference and Information Services, Iowa and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, The Iowa Lions Foundation is supported by the Lions Iowa Radio Reading Information • Nebraska Publications Clearinghouse, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Clubs of Iowa. The foundation supports a number Service for the Blind and Print Nebraska Commission for the Blind • NebraskAccess, and Nebraska Memories. dedicated to enhancing the early detection and of services for the blind and visually impaired. Handicapped, Inc. (IRIS) and Visually Impaired (NCBVI) • Continuing Education and Training, Youth Services, treatment of vision impairments in young children We support the Iowa Lions Eye Bank financially; we Librarian and Board Certification, and Library IRIS exists to bring the world of information to The NCBVI provides training in non-visual (or "low (target population ages 6 to 48 months) through transport tissue to them for cornea transplants and vision") skills to Nebraskans that allow for living Accreditation. Iowans who cannot read the printed word because of screening and public education. research. independently and full participation in life. a visual impairment, physical impairment, or learning Contact Information: 1200 N Street, Suite 120 Amblyopia (“lazy eye”) is the most common vision We are Iowa Kidsight because the foundation difference. IRIS provides a 24/7 audio signal of news • Assistance in securing or maintaining employment Above: Certified Children’s Vision Screening using the Lincoln, NE 68508-2023 problem in preschool-aged children. Conditions that supports the program financially, and Lions members and information to thousands of listeners across • Fulfill employment needs in Nebraska SureSight machine in a Nebraska preschool. Phone: 1-800-742-7691 can lead to Amblyopia are not always easy to recog- all over the state screen preschool children for eye the State. • Career counseling and guidance resulting in Cover: Two orientation center students navigate nize. When undetected or left untreated, Amblyopia problems and make referrals to eye professionals. employment E-mail: [email protected] • IRIS delivers daily readings of the Des Moines a Des Moines mall with their canes. can result in permanent vision loss that may ad- We also support the puppy raising program for • Job-related equipment, tools, and supplies Website: www.nlc.nebraska.gov