Vision loss can change nearly every part of daily life, making familiar activities more difficult and creating new barriers to independence. At the Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI), we work alongside each client to understand their goals and provide the personalized training, tools, and support they need to continue living life on their own terms.
Ellen’s Story:
While undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, Ellen experienced significant vision loss.
Suddenly, everyday activities that she had always taken for granted became difficult or nearly impossible. In early 2026, she made the difficult decision to stop driving because she no longer felt safe behind the wheel. Without reliable transportation, simple activities like shopping, meeting friends, and running errands became much harder, leaving her feeling increasingly dependent on others.
After speaking with a friend, Ellen learned about CVI and scheduled an appointment with Dr. Vuong, one of the center’s low vision optometrists.
“She was very positive,” Ellen said. “Always open to trying different solutions, and she is warm without being gushy.”
Following her evaluation, Dr. Vuong prescribed bioptic lenses, specialized glasses designed to help people with low vision see more clearly at a distance. With her new prescription and support from CVI, Ellen was able to return to driving just six months later.
“I would not be driving without them. I got so tired of asking people for rides. You don’t realize how dependent you are,” said Ellen.
Today, Ellen is in remission and back to living the life on her terms.
To learn more about CVI’s Low Vision Services, visit our Adult Services page.
