ICO Student Featured in AAO Low Vision Newsletter

ICO Student Featured in AAO Low Vision Newsletter

Payton Holden, a fourth year at ICO, was recently featured because of her personal story with low vision. For Payton, growing up with a blind father allowed her to experience firsthand just how important low-vision rehabilitation can be.

Below is her story:

“My father lost his sight due to diabetic retinopathy before I was born. I grew up around handheld magnifiers, talking watches, JAWS computer systems and desktop video magnifiers, all of which served as toys to my brother and I as children. As kids, we were used to comments people would say as to “what’s that” when pointing to my dad’s cane or when other kids would ask why my dad’s eyes looked different than theirs. In every one of those moments, I saw the grace my father used to educate others and how he wanted people to understand that even though his eyes didn’t work, he was still able to do everything that anyone else could. I would go with him to his optometry appointments where I became so invested in how the doctors helped my dad that I wanted to do the same. Optometry was the answer.  
 
Being a fourth-year student at the Illinois College of Optometry, I have had the opportunity to work in the low vision clinic. I have been able to solidify my love for low vision by not only prescribing devices but connecting with patients. A patient came in who was previously struggling with his vision loss, and I was able to get him seeing 20/60 with a telescope. The smile that patient had on their face was something I will hold onto forever. Low vision gives an opportunity to change a patient’s life firsthand and show them that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and to me, that means hope.  
 
Low vision rehabilitation has impacted me both professionally and personally by giving me the ability to connect with such wonderful mentors and patients. This area of optometry takes patience, gentle care and motivation to be able to show patients that they can succeed. My father always says, “I may not have sight, but I have a vision.” He is my passion on this journey to be an optometrist and I start every day using his mindset to try and help my patients to their fullest degree.”