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Blindness (OLD)

About Blindness

To reduce preventable blindness, there must be an emphasis on public education and early treatment.

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Famous Blind People

Many people have overcome their visual disabilities and gone on to lead productive — and famous — lives.

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Christine Hajinyan’s Story

Helen Adams Keller was born on June 27, 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. In 1882, she fell ill and was struck blind, deaf and mute. Beginning in 1887, Keller’s teacher, Anne Sullivan, helped her make tremendous A first look at Christine Hajinyan, 25, does not disclose anything unusual about her. A few minutes into the conversation, Christine reveals one devastating story after another. She was only nine when her brother found a pistol lying on the ground in their courtyard in Avan, one of the communities on the outskirts of Yerevan. The children had just started exploring the deadly “toy” when the gun exploded, instantly killing Christine’s 8-year-old brother and completely destroying Christine’s left eye and causing her severe abdominal injuries.

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61% of the U.S. adult population had an eye examination within the past year.

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Myth: Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals.

Fact: The English optician Samuel Pierce invented bifocals around 1775.

Myth: Only boys are color-blind.

Fact: It's estimated that up to 8% of boys have some degree of color blindness, whereas less than 1% of girls do.

Myth: If you need glasses, your eyes are not healthy.

Fact: Wearing eyeglasses has nothing to do with eye health, but with normal changes in parts of your eyes.

Helen Keller

… was born on June 27, 1880 in Tuscumbia,Alabama. At the age of two, she fell ill and was struck blind, deaf and mute. Still, at a young age, Keller was helped by her teacher, Anne Sullivan, who allowed her to make tremendous progress with her ability to communicate. Keller went on to college, graduating in 1904. In 1920, she helped found the ACLU. During her remarkable life, Keller has received many honors in recognition of her many accomplishments. She stands as a powerful example of how determination, hard work, and imagination can allow an individual to triumph over adversity. By overcoming difficult conditions with a great deal of persistence, she grew into a respected and world-renowned activist who labored for the betterment of others.

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Over 70% of the U.S. work force requires vision correction.

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Eye Safety Sports

Armenian Christianity

Refractive Disorders

Stevie Wonder

Born prematurely on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan, Stevie Wonder was blinded by ROP at a time in the U.S. when doctors didn’t yet know and understand the diagnosis and treatment for this horrific disease — one that left thousands of American children blind in the 1950s. A singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Wonder made his musical debut at age 12 and recorded his first hit single in 1963. Over the next decade, Wonder recorded several hit songs, including “Living in the City,” “Boogie on a Reggae Woman” and “Isn’t She Lovely.” His fertile period came to an end in 1979. Wonder’s ‘80s hits include “I Just Called to Say I Love You” and “Ebony and Ivory.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

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