It is sadly ironic that October observes both Blindness Awareness Month and Halloween, the scariest day of the year, for blindness is more feared than just about any other health condition.

Not only is one’s physical view of the world altered, the loss affects reading, watching TV, driving, preparing meals, employment, hobbies, and attending to personal affairs. Vision impairment can lead to social isolation, family stress and a greater tendency to suffer other physical and mental issues.

Although not a medical facility, NJ Foundation for the Blind (NJFFB) in Denville, NJ, advises people to see their eye health professional regularly since early detection and treatment can sometimes slow or prevent further vision loss. “Don’t take your vision for granted,” says David Feinhals, Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist and Executive Director of NJFFB. “Over the next few decades the adult population with vision loss is estimated to double because of the aging population and the diabetes epidemic.”

NJFFB’s focus is to help adults after they become blind or visually impaired adjust to vision loss, acquire independent living skills, regain their physical and mental health and return to a full and meaningful life.

“When you realize that vision loss is the leading cause of falls in the elderly, and leads to high risk of depression, you begin to understand the priority of our mission,” explained Mr. Feinhals. He added that NJFFB is the only nonprofit organization in the state offering a continuum of day programs that provide emotional support and practical training for adults with severe vision loss.

“At the Foundation we are working to expand program participation and increase the accessibility of our programs to individuals throughout the state of New Jersey,” explains Mr. Feinhals.  “The Health & Wellness Program is now running in Morris, Essex and Bergen Counties to overcome the transportation barrier for residents of those areas.”

Visitors to the website are encourage to visit the Resources page to find links to vision loss information, low vision products and other vision organizations.