Electronic glasses improve sight of legally blind teen
A teen who is legally blind from Bucks County is getting help from electronic glasses that help to improve his sight.
Choir may not be this 8th grader's favorite class, but A.J. Lowe is happy this year. He can read the sheet music, thanks to the special glasses he's wearing called Esight.
"It's like a camera with a screen in it, and I use a remote to zoom in on an image," he said.
In real time, he can see the whiteboard, read books, and his mother Julie Lowe says even see people clearer.
"The first time he put them on, my husband was standing across the room and he said, 'hey Dad, I can see your face,'" Lowe said.
Three years ago, A.J. started to lose his central vision due to a genetic disease called Stargardt's. He's now legally blind.
"It hit us like a ton of bricks, mainly for him," Lowe said. "We thought of all the losses he would go through, and the challenges and what life would be like for him."
But his mother says A.J. takes things in stride, never gets upset, and just does what he needs to.
He says it takes time to get used to Esight, but so far they're helping.
"It's just been a relief not having to question other people what's on the board and being able to live independently," A.J. said.
At first, due to the $10,000 price tag, he thought the glasses were out of reach.
But the Perkasie Lions Club started raising money with a GoFundMe page. His school, Faith Christian Academy then stepped in to help.
"Such an outpouring of love and demonstration of people's kindness," Lowe said.
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