NEW YORK—Lighthouse Guild has announced that it has received an American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF) Thrive Award of $75,000 to study the effectiveness of various assistive technology devices. The goal is to provide objective information that will help people with vision impairment determine which devices will work best for them, according to the announcement. “Assistive technology has the potential to substantially improve the lives of people with vision impairment by facilitating independence, enhancing communication, improving the ability to perform activities of daily living, and increasing participation in society,” said Dr. William Seiple, chief research officer at Lighthouse Guild.

“However, there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Our research is objectively evaluating assistive technology devices in order to deliver data that will allow people with vision impairment, in consultation with their vision health provider, to find the best technology for their individual needs. We thank the American Macular Degeneration Foundation for their generous support of this initiative,” Dr. Seiple said.

Working directly with a cohort of people with vision impairment, Lighthouse Guild is collecting data on the functionality, usability, accessibility, and acceptability of specific devices, the announcement stated. The data will be compiled to develop recommendations. Lighthouse Guild said that it is in a unique position to conduct this research based on its years of experience in assistive technology, including its recently opened technology center.

“AMDF is as committed to improving quality of life for those living with AMD as we are to driving the development of new treatments that can preserve or restore sight,” said Matthew Levine, director of grants, partnerships and advocacy at AMDF. “The findings from this study will ripple across the entire AMD community, helping patients quickly find assistive technology that meets their unique needs, while allowing providers of low vision services to optimize their consultations.”