BUCKS COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

06/03/2026

June is Cataract Awareness Month. A cataract is a clouding of the clear lens of the eye. It is the leading cause of blindness globally. According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 94 million people aged 50 and older experience cataracts worldwide.

Clouded vision can make it more challenging to do everyday tasks like reading, driving (especially at night), and seeing people’s expressions.

Thanks to ongoing advances in technology, there are continuing improvements in cataract surgery:

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Imaging
This advanced imaging provides a detailed image of the eye, helping with preoperative planning, guidance during surgery, and reduced postoperative problems.

Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)
IOLs provide clear vision at various distances, including near, intermediate, and far. This reduces the need for glasses post-surgery. IOLs also correct astigmatism.

Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS)
This laser technology creates more precise incisions, minimizing human error and complications, allowing for quicker recovery times

Phacoemulsification With Enhanced Fluidics Technique
This technique helps maintain stable intraocular pressure, which reduces surgery time and the risk of complications.

ORA Intraoperative Aberrometry Technology
This technology allows for precise lens placement for a better quality of vision
and fewer postoperative complications.

Robotic-Assisted Cataract Surgery
Robotic-assisted arms make small corneal incisions and remove the cataract lens
before the surgeon implants the new artificial lens.

For more information about these breakthrough technologies, please visit:
https://www.thecataractsurgeons.com/cataract/top-5-breakthrough-technologies-in-cataract-surgery-today

More about cataract surgery benefits: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TtwpzNRfkFw

Explore the latest cataract surgery innovations, from laser-assisted procedures to advanced IOLs.

05/27/2026

When I started my job as the BCABVI Communications Coordinator over three years ago, one of the first clients I interviewed and got to know was Paul. We featured him in our Spring Mailer and our year-end video in 2023.

Years ago, Paul, a retired electrical engineer, was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, two progressive eye conditions that cause significant vision loss.

During our first meeting, Paul was learning to navigate his surroundings with a white cane, guided by Julia, a BCABVI Orientation & Mobility Specialist. Knowing that he had progressive eye diseases, Paul was thinking ahead when he received the training:

“This is a great time to learn things, so when the day comes that I need to use my walking stick (white cane), I won’t be freaked out by that. I’ll be comfortable in the transition between my past situation and my reality that I’m going into. It takes the stress off.” Paul, BCABVI Client in 2023

When I visited him this month, he was using the white cane for everyday use.

Paul mentioned to me that with the white cane, he has visited Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia numerous times on his own for appointments. He navigates the trains and city streets with his white cane and his wonderful memory.

Paul is still an active participant in his community and at BCABVI, where he enjoys the camaraderie of fellow clients. He is a great example of what is possible with our Low Vision training at BCABVI and how we change the lives of our clients every day.

Here's a short video of my recent visit with Paul on the BCABVI YouTube Channel. A more detailed video will follow later in June, which will include Paul using his white cane as well as additional client impact stories. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/K5jCPC60jro

If you have a story that you’d like to share about how BCABVI has impacted your life or someone you love, please contact me at: [email protected].

05/25/2026

We are closed today in honor of Memorial Day.

We wish all of you a relaxing and meaningful Memorial Day.

05/20/2026

Our world is becoming more accessible for people experiencing vision loss and blindness. BCABVI trains our clients on the latest AI apps and devices.

FREE AI APPS

Be My AI
This app is an extension of the Be My Eyes app. It uses an AI-generated voice to describe photos, videos, objects, and text.

ChatGPT
ChatGPT enables users to converse with an AI-generated voice for a variety of tasks, including finding information, answering questions, and assisting with tasks. A subscription to ChatGPT 4.0 provides a hands-free mode.

OKO Al Copilot
The OKO app identifies “walk” and “don’t walk” street signals, making a chirping sound when it’s safe to cross the street.

ScriptTalk Mobile
This app provides an accessible way of reading prescription labels. Information includes the name of the medicine, instructions, uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Seeing AI
This app helps users with daily tasks, including reading, recognizing faces, describing photos, and more.

VizLens
VizLens is an appliance reader app. When the user takes a picture of the appliance and runs their finger across the screen, it identifies what each button is used for.

AI GLASSES

EchoVision Smart Glasses
These glasses have a built-in camera that provides audio descriptions of people, objects, and surroundings. The app also reads texts.

Envision Glasses
Envision glasses integrate with Google Glass and ChatGPT. The device can read text, identify objects, and give other information with voice commands.

Ray-Ban Meta Glasses
These glasses have built-in AI technology to capture photos, listen to music, take calls, send texts, ask questions, and more.

For more information about these apps and devices, please call us at 215.968.9400.

John, our client, demonstrates the ScriptTalk app on BCABVI's YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ecF_bXxcInI

BCABVI Client John demonstrates ScriptTalk, an accessible prescription label reader.

05/13/2026

Our client Rita understands the challenges of living with vision loss, but it hasn’t stopped her from leading a fulfilling life. For over 80 years, we have been helping people like Rita lead rich, vibrant, and independent lives.

Please be on the lookout for our Spring Mailer to learn more about how we’ve helped Rita remain active and independent, and how you can help us provide essential services and programs to people in Bucks County, like Rita, who are blind and visually impaired. We cannot do this important work without your support.

In Appreciation,
BCABVI Staff, Board Members & Volunteers

05/06/2026

Our Clients Create Art!

Last week, we hosted an in-house Art Workshop led by our returning guest artist, Spriha Gupta. Our clients explored their creative side by using stencils and colored markers to design their own unique tote bags.

Art is a creative outlet and a multi-sensory experience for individuals experiencing vision loss and blindness, empowering them to participate in activities that go beyond their visual limitations. Tactile art is a wonderfully accessible option for our clients.

Here are a few helpful tips if you or a loved one is looking to explore their artistic side despite vision challenges:

Choose high-contrast materials and colors to make elements stand out

Incorporate a variety of materials and textures to promote the sense of touch and exploration

Ensure ample lighting to maximize visibility and enhance the creative process

Use magnifiers to help view details in the artwork

We’d like to thank Spriha for sharing her artistic talents and helping our clients make memorable pieces of art.

To learn morea bout our in-house client events, please contact Marcie Filiano at 215.968.9400 or [email protected].

04/29/2026

We had a record-breaking number of people who registered for the 14th Annual Bookin’ For Lookin’ Race For Sight 5K Run & Walk at Tyler State Park!

On Sunday morning, over 425 people gathered at Council Rock North’s Walt Snyder Stadium in Newtown. It was a chilly morning, but thankfully the rain held out. The atmosphere was filled with positive energy as runners ended the race with food, drinks, music, medals, awards, photo ops, and a lot of camaraderie. New this year was a Starbucks Coffee Bar, free breakfast sandwiches from The Borscht Belt, and a complimentary raffle ticket to enter a drawing for prizes from Amazon, The Athletic Shoe Shop, Wawa, and Elite Sports.

We’d like to thank everyone who came out for this year’s race! It takes a dedicated group of people to help make this race happen every year - race participants, staff, officials, board members, sponsors, and volunteers! There’s a lot of coordination to make this event a success, and we are thankful for everyone who participated.

Since 2013, Mark McCowan, founder of Bookin’ For Lookin’, has raised over $125,500 (not including this year’s figures) to support nonprofit organizations that provide services to blind and visually impaired people. We are thankful that once again this year, the Bucks County Association For The Blind And Visually Impaired will be the recipient of the race’s proceeds.

Bookin’ For Lookin’ is the 3rd of 7 races of the Bucks 5K Series, now celebrating its 30th year. Every race of the series supports a nonprofit, charitable organization.

For more information about Bookin’ For Lookin’, please visit: https://www.bookinforlookin.com
To follow Bookin' For Lookin' on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bookin4Lookin
For more information about the Bucks 5K Series, visit: https://www.bucks5kseries.com

Please check out Mark McCowan’s post-race video.

We look forward to next year when Bookin’ For Lookin’ will celebrate its 15th Anniversary! Thanks again to everyone who helped make this year’s race so successful!

04/17/2026

With the upcoming 14th Annual Bookin' For Lookin' Race For Sight 5K Run & Walk, it's interesting to see how assistive technology is used to help blind and visually impaired runners.

Clarke Reynolds, a British marathon runner, donned his Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses during the Brighton Marathon last Sunday. Volunteers assisted him through the Be My Eyes app, providing him guidance throughout the race. He's the first person to run a marathon using both of these assistive technologies. Reynolds finished the marathon in under 6 1/2 hours.

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses integrate with the Be My Eyes app to connect users with sighted volunteers for hands-free live voice assistance.

"I want to blow away people's expectations of what sight loss means and be a role model for people of all ages with visual impairment," Reynolds mentioned before the race.

To view a short video about Reynold's landmark use of the glasses and app for the marathon:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fqwLjU5SrKY

To view BCABVI's Dr. Kramer, Certified Low Vision Therapist, demonstrating how the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses help our clients: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-N0adeA81S8

You can learn more about the assistive technology we provide our clients by calling 215.968.9400 or visiting our website at www.bucksblind.org.

04/15/2026

We're Starting A New Series!

BCABVI is launching a new series for The Blink titled “What Does BCABVI Mean To You?” In the series, we’ll talk with various people connected to our organization - clients, board members, staff, volunteers, and others to learn more about how our organization has impacted their lives.

Today, we spoke with Gail, a client who reached out to us shortly after being diagnosed as legally blind. Gail participates in in-house activities at our agency, virtual programs, and receives in-home support.

“BCABVI helps me with things I wouldn’t be able to do on my own. In-person activities are a great way for me to get out of the house and be with other people. The virtual programs I participate in every week allow me to learn a lot of different things. Since I can’t drive and help is limited, it would be a challenge for me to get doctors’ appointments and to the grocery stores without BCABVI’s drivers. Their BCABVI case aide is a big help in filling out forms for me as well. The services and support I receive from BCABVI have improved my quality of life. I depend on them.”

If you have a story you’d like to share about how BCABVI has impacted you or a loved one, please contact [email protected].

04/14/2026

We need your help to spread the word about the upcoming 14th Annual Bookin' For Lookin' Race For Sight 5K Run & Walk! The event is on Sunday, April 26th, starting at Council Rock North High School, then looping through beautiful Tyler State Park.

Attendees can enjoy a Starbucks coffee bar, free food from local businesses including Newtown Bagel & The Borscht Belt, as well as medals, awards, a photo area, and a complimentary raffle ticket for a chance to win great prizes.

You'll also be supporting a great cause - us! All proceeds of the race support BCABVI's essential services and programs for blind and visually impaired people throughout Bucks County.

Please grab a friend, family member or come on your own to support this great event!

For more information and to register today: https://runtheday.com/register/detail/bookin-for-lookin-5k-10k