I want to reinforce Ed's recommendation for getting an ophthalmologist to see the patients. I would be reluctant to have folks get either a prescription or OTC product without an ophthalmologist consult. There is a nontrivial risk of doing harm.

Richard Hurtig, PhD, 

Great timing.  I have a patient at clinic today whose using a Tobii and his eyes are getting very dry and irritated.  I remember one of my patients used a prescription eye lubrication.  Does anyone know the name of a good eye lubricant that is over the counter or by Rx?  Thanks!

 

 

Sincerely,

Amy Roman, MS, CCC-SLP
Augmentative Communication Specialist

 

AmyandpALS.Com

Pinterest.com/AmyandpALS

Twitter.com/AmyandpALS

 

Forbes Norris ALS Research and Treatment Center
2324 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
Cell (415)518-0592
Fax (415)600-3778

 

---

From: Edward Hitchcock <xxxxxx@ric.org>
To: "xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com" <xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com>
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 1:58 PM
Subject: RE: Eye issues for PALS

 

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.

www.voxello.com

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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