Dry eyes are definitely a known issue, even regardless of the problem of corneal damage (which we would want to avoid for obvious reasons).  At a minimum, he should be getting consistent lubricating eyedrops. One of my PALS used goggles for a while as well which had kept her eyes hydrated.

I would also recommend an appointment with an ophthalmologist if at all possible.

One last minor detail; if he is using a Tobii eye gaze device, that device needs to see both eyes in order to operate (even if it is set to track one eye only).

Ed Hitchcock OT/L
Technology center
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
From: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com [xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com] on behalf of Hurtig, Richard R [xxxxxx@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 3:52 PM
To: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com
Subject: Re: Eye issues for PALS

Keeping XX's eyes lubricated is critical. Corneal damage could render him
blind. A problem with the eyegaze system may be due to light scatter as a consequence of the liquid tears being used. I would recommend an ophthalmologist see XX and make recommendations to allow XX to continue to use eyegaze system. 

Richard Hurtig, PhD, 
ASHA Fellow
Professor Emeritus 
Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders
The University of Iowa

President & CSO
Voxello, Inc.
Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 13, 2017, at 3:44 PM, Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@alsa-national.org> wrote:

Hello fellow Listservers,

I am seeking advice for a professional that reached out to me below.   Any ideas, insight appreciated.  

>>>>
I was recently up at XX Regional Vent Center and was working with the SLP  re: device issues with XX.  He is unfortunately declining and at this time cannot close his eyes. As a result, he ends up getting some film on his eye, at times some visible sentiment….this is affecting the eye gaze camera from effectively activating to his pupil. He’s had pink eye frequently and is prescribed intermittent eye drops but does not use anything currently. They do tape his eyes shut at night to rest them, and I recommended taping one eye to allow for access with one eye only, but this didn’t result in increased accuracy accessing his device-the film on the eye seems to be the biggest barrier. Are you aware of any eye care, eye wash, product, or process completed by nursing, etc. that has been beneficial for staff in your experience that we can recommend for XX, so that he can more effectively use his communication device?





Alisa Brownlee, ATP, CAPS
Assistive Technology Specialist/Consultant 
The ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Association National Office 
RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional
NAHB Certified Aging in Place Specialist in Home Modifications
Work: 215-631-1877

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