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Testimonials
Telesensory Reseller Dr. Cynthia Kipp "It’s never too early to introduce (patients) to a CCTV. Anyone who is struggling to read and has a form of degenerative vision is a candidate for a CCTV." ~ Dr. Cynthia Kipp Dr. Cynthia L. Kipp has brought Telesensory products to her patients for years. She sees a variety of low vision conditions in her Vero Beach, Florida practice. The Aladdin Classic and the Atlas 600 with Toshiba monitor are two of the most popular demo units Dr. Kipp carries. Dr. Kipp sees people with all levels of low vision, and she says that it’s never too early to introduce them to a CCTV. Macular degeneration is a changing eye condition, and I try to present the unit from a "just-in-case" perspective. I will often tell a patient, "you don’t need this now, but you may need it in the future, and I want you to know what’s available." Dr. Kipp says that most people have a positive response, and that very few are afraid of technology and gadgets. "The important thing is to recognize that just because that person gets a CCTV, they still should have a low vision evaluation, to see what types of devices are available." "The Aladdin Classic has excellent white-on-black contrast, and patients who sit in front of the demo unit in my office think it’s much brighter than the used machine they have at home," says Dr. Kipp. "My patients think the contrast on the Aladdin is fantastic," says Dr. Kipp. She notes that the size is great, because it fits in a kitchen or small space. "Because the controls are easy for patients to manage, it opens up worlds of possible uses," she adds. "A patient of mine does crossword puzzles, and I see many widows who are responsible for their bills and use the Classic to read their mail." "It’s always nice to see people get emotional when they are able to read again for the first time in years." One woman with very low vision and short-term memory problems returned to Dr. Kipp’s office for three lessons. She was motivated because she didn’t want to sit in a room and do nothing. "Anyone who is struggling to read and has a form of degenerative vision is a candidate for a CCTV," says Dr. Kipp. Because most of my patients are elderly, the standalone video magnifiers are great for home use. "I’ve had my practice for over 18 years," says Dr. Kipp, "and I’ve been busy since day one. It’s a much-needed service." Client service is very important to Dr. Kipp, who tries to treat each of her patients with personal care. "When I first decided to be a reseller, I was worried about having to service the devices, and in fact it has rarely happened." Aladdins are known to be extremely reliable. "They hold up so well, that if they work after 30 days, they’ll work for many years," says Dr. Kipp. "It’s a great product, and for most reading needs, black and white will do the job." "The yellow-on-blue combination offered by the Atlas line works well for a retired patient of mine who suffers from macular degeneration. She uses her Atlas 600 to see mail, bills, etc." The main things people want to do are driving (we can’t do anything about that!), and reading,"a vision condition precludes them from reading, they really miss it." "As far as low vision, what I feel is needed most urgently is a program that helps seniors learn to use computers. She adds that the ideal user is motivated, alert, relatively savvy and willing to learn to use the products. Dr. Kipp refers her patients who have questions about computer use to the 20/200 Center in Port Salerno, Florida. * "It’s like a training center. It’s a great low-vision support group." Maybe more people could remain in the workforce or enter the workforce if they had more of a handle on adaptive technology." "It’s important to get a low vision evaluation, because you’re dealing with different personalities, motivation, health problems and various levels of acceptance." Dr. Kipp feels that the specific needs of the patients must be addressed in order to successfully determine what product, if any, to recommend. "I had one man years ago who got a CCTV. We delivered it to his house, and a few weeks later, he said he didn’t like it, so they took it back. Then, he missed it, so we re-ordered it for him, and he was not happy that he needed it, but he knew that he couldn’t read anything without it." Brightness controls found on Telesensory machines are key for people with sensitivities to glare. "A woman & her daughter to whom I recently demonstrated the Classic immediately identified the people in their family photos, even though the unit magnified in black & white." Dr. Kipp stresses that contrast and adjustable brightness are what keep her patients happy. "At all the conventions I’ve been to over the years, I’ve always been most impressed by the Classic because of the contrast." "I went to a local low vision seminar once, and all of the non-Telesensory CCTVs were large. A lot of people are intimidated by that," she continues. "The one-piece, streamline design of the Classic (which looks like a computer) is great. People are downscaling, moving into apartments, etc., and they don’t want something very big. They like something that fits on their desk like a computer." Dr. Kipp says that even in the early stages of visual impairment, people often don’t know what’s best for them. "Recently, I’d seen a woman who was just beginning to get low vision, and it got progressively worse. Someone in the community sold her their used CCTV unit, and then a year later, she came in & saw the Classic, and said, "I wish I’d known about this!" They just don’t know what’s available to them." She stresses that it’s important to stay informed about contrast, price, quality, magnification,etc. "That’s why I stress the low vision evaluation, with a professional," adds Dr. Kipp. Dr. Kipp has an O.D. from the Pennsylvania College of optometry, and completed her residency in low vision at the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center in Philadelphia. Dr. Kipp has practiced in Florida since 1985. |
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