Low Vision Services

Helping the visually impaired and blind maintain the highest possible quality of life.

The Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology offers a comprehensive range of support services for the visually impaired and blind, including:

Support groups

The DIO offers one of the largest support group programs for visually impaired and blind people in the United States. The following support groups are offered in various locations throughout Southeast Michigan:

• Senior support groups: For adults age 60 and older. Meetings are held at the DIO (Grosse Pointe), St. Clair Shores, Livonia at the Henry Ford Center for Vision Rehabilitation & Research and Sterling Heights.
• Visionaries support group: For adults ages 20-59, meeting once a month at the DIO.

The groups offer hope, joy, compassion, understanding and interaction with others who are similarly challenged. Both groups feature a variety of general and small group meetings, guest speakers, day trips and seasonal events, and assistance with transportation to meetings and events, when possible.

Low-vision aids and education

The DIO provides a variety of additional resources, including:

• Martha F. Gorey Resource Center: One of the largest collections of low-vision aids in Southeast Michigan.

• Professional Education: DIO is closely affiliated with the ophthalmic technician training program at Henry Ford College, Dearborn, and the Henry Ford Health Department of Ophthalmology’s Residency Training program.  One of the physicians of the DIO serves as both the Medical Director for the Henry Ford College Ophthalmic Technician Training Program and as the Residency Program Director and Vice Chair of Education for the Department of Ophthalmology at Henry Ford Hospital.  Throughout the year, various workshops for training physicians in internal medicine and emergency medicine are conducted at the DIO.
• Public Education: DIO participates at Assumption Senior Expo each year providing information and resources for visually impaired seniors and their families. 

Henry Ford Center for Vision Rehabilitation & Research

In addition, through the Henry Ford Center for Vision Rehabilitation & Research, visually impaired people with diminished eyesight that cannot be improved by corrective lenses, medical treatment or surgery have another option. The Center provides comprehensive rehabilitation to help people with macular degeneration and other low-vision conditions make the most of their available eyesight.