Low Vision Committee Purpose and Historical Perspective

Purpose

Certified low vision specialists of Michigan are committed to provision of the highest level of care to visually impaired patients. The specialists keep abreast of state-of- the-art diagnostic and therapeutic techniques develop rehabilitation plans with related professionals and serve as advocates for the blind and visually impaired. By helping the visually impaired reach functional visual potentials, low vision specialists assist in achievement of educational, career, vocational and independent living goals.

History

In the early 1970s, the Michigan Services for the Blind, then in the Department of Social Services (transferred to the Department of labor in 1978), became increasingly aware of the vital need to provide quality low vision care for vocational rehabilitation of
visually impaired (legally blind) clients. Subsequently, close communication was established with the Michigan Optometric Association which developed an optometric low vision certification program to be administered by a college of optometry. Through
certification, interested optometric practitioners could demonstrate their expertise and commitment in low vision care.

The certified low vision specialists of Michigan play active roles as consultants to state agencies such as the Michigan Commission for the Blind, Michigan Rehabilitation Service and Michigan Department of State, as well as many intermediate school districts. They contribute to interdisciplinary clinical and teaching facilities such as the Michigan College of Optometry, Western Michigan University Department of Blind Rehabilitation, Optometric Institute and Clinic of Detroit, William Beaumont Hospital of Royal Oak, the Saginaw Valley Special Needs Clinic of Saginaw, Vision and Enrichment Services of Grand Rapids, Greater Detroit Society for the Blind, Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing, the Kellogg Eye Center at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor and the Penrickton Center for Blind Children in Taylor.

The Michigan Optometric Association Low Vision Committee maintains close contact with the Low Vision Section of the American Optometric Association and other state and national interdisciplinary organizations that serve the blind and visually impaired such as the American Public Health Association and Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired.

The first Michigan low vision certification examinations were administered by Daniel Gerstman, O.D., Ph.D., and the late John R. Levine, O.D., Ph.D., School of Optometry, Indiana University, in 1973 and 1974. Original certificants were:

Gordon Deur, O.D. Zeeland, MI (Deceased)
Ernest Gaynes, O.D., F.A.A.O., Diplomate, Low Vision, Detroit, MI (Deceased)
Arnold H. Gordon, O.D. , Royal Oak, MI (Deceased)
Max M. Honeyman, O.D., Low Vision Specialist Emeritus, Sarasota, FL
Edwin Novak, O.D., M.A., F.A.A.O., Flint, MI (inactive)
Phillip Raznik, O.D., Bingham Farms, MI
Roger R. Seelye, O.D., Owosso, MI

With the establishment of the Michigan College of Optometry, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, low vision certification testing was conducted by C. Allyn Uniacke, O.D., Ph.D., member of the college faculty. Those certified since 1979 include:

Tressa O. Adams, O.D., Battle Creek, MI (No longer a resident of Michigan)
Nathan G. Baas, O.D., Traverse City, MI
Elizabeth M. Becker, O.D., Oxford, MI
David J. Beecher, O.D., Livonia, MI (Inactive)
Steven I. Bennett, O.D., F.A.A.O., Ann Arbor, MI
Walter C. Betts, O.D., Big Rapids, MI
Dennis D. Cobler, O.D., Muskegon, MI
Cynthia Cupal, O.D. Fenton, MI
Jason M. Donahue, O.D., Saginaw, MI
Denise A. DeSylvia, O.D., Detroit, MI (No longer a resident of Michigan)
Daniel A. Dudley, O.D., St. Joseph, MI
Mary Jo Ference, O.D., Southfield, MI
Robert A. Foote, O.D., F.A.A.O., Traverse City, MI
Paul R. Gayeff, O.D., Escanaba, MI
Marcel G. Geldhof, O.D., F.A.A.O., Warren, MI (Deceased)
Susan R. Gormezano, O.D., F.A.A.O., Bingham Farms, MI
Susan A. Hahn, O.D., Royal Oak, MI
Sarah B Hinkley, O.D., Big Rapids, MI
William J. Hooker, O.D., Haslett, MI
Bhavani Iyer, O.D., Livonia, MI
John E. Kaminski, O.D., F.A.A.O., Midland, MI
Delores Kowalski-Meier, O.D., Saginaw, MI
Donald H. Lakin, O.D., Cadillac, MI (Inactive)
Kathy Jo Lewis, O.D., Saginaw, MI
Dean L. Luplow, O.D., Big Rapids
Carol Marston-Foucher, O.D., F.A.A.O., Livonia, MI
William L. Park, O.D., F.A.A.O., (No longer a resident of Michigan)
Robbie J. Pairolero, O.D., Haslett, MI
Andrea Palardy-Nielsen, O.D., Royal Oak, MI
Michael Peterson, O.D., Livonia, MI (Inactive)
Lori A. Smolinski, O.D., Grand Rapids, MI
Robert L. Unser, O.D., Kalamazoo, MI
Robert H. Walt, O.D., Hudsonville, MI
Donna M. Wicker, O.D., F.A.A.O., Ann Arbor, MI
Mark P. Williams, O.D., F.A.A.O., Burton, MI
Jennifer A. Wong, O.D., F.A.A.O., Warren, MI