Helping patients see beyond vision loss starts with understanding their emotional journey…and how to walk it with them.
Sometimes, what patients lose first isn’t their sight. It’s their sense of self. In recognition of World Mental Health Day, the Foundation Fighting Blindness is shining a light on that emotional journey with a free online webinar for eye care professionals that focuses on the psychological side of vision loss.
Titled, “Seeing Beyond Vision Loss: A Focus on Mental Health Resources for Patients with Retinal Disease,” the event will take place on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm EST. The session will tackle the emotional impact of progressive retinal disease and how integrating mental health support into clinical practice can improve overall patient outcomes.
Foundation Fighting Blindness announces the webinar on its LinkedIn page.
Addressing the emotional effects of vision loss
Retinal degenerative diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal tears and retinal vascular diseases not only impair sight but can also take a heavy emotional toll. As vision fades, many patients experience depression, anxiety and social withdrawal as they adjust to their new reality.
According to the director of professional outreach at Foundation Fighting Blindness, Michelle Glaze, “Vision loss is not just a medical challenge. It’s an emotional and psychological one.”
She emphasizes the importance of equipping eye care professionals with the right tools and resources to support patients’ resilience, reduce isolation and improve quality of life. The upcoming session will guide clinicians in recognizing psychological barriers, fostering empathy in communication and building referral pathways to counseling and peer-support networks.
Featured speakers
The webinar will feature insights from a diverse lineup of speakers, including a patient advocate, a retina specialist and a clinical psychologist, each bringing a unique perspective shaped by experience and expertise.
One of the featured speakers is Jessie Wolinsky, a disability advocate, podcaster and co-founder of Sight Club. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at the age of seven, she uses her platforms—Badass Blind Babe podcast and Tiktok channel (@BadassBlindBabe)—to share her story of grief, acceptance and advocacy.
Dr. Sandeep Grover, professor of ophthalmology and associate chair at the University of Florida, Jacksonville, will also present. He leads the Inherited Retinal Diseases and Electrophysiology Service, focusing on disease progression and psychosocial effects of vision loss. A long-time collaborator with the Foundation, Dr. Gover has authored more than 150 scientific publications.
Rounding out the panel is Dr. Ann Wagner, a clinical psychologist and consultant who served 26 years on the PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Clinical Team at the Minneapolis VA (Veteran Affairs) Health Care System. Blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, she now focuses on grief, resilience and the emotional dimensions of vision loss for both patients and caregivers.
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Why it matters
By putting mental health front and center, the Foundation Fighting Blindness highlights the importance of treating not just the eyes, but the whole person. Eye care professionals are often the first to see patients struggling with fear, grief, anxiety or isolation following a diagnosis.
Integrating mental health support into ophthalmic care can help patients build resilience, sustain motivation through rehabilitation and face treatment with confidence.
This webinar offers professionals the language, perspective and resources to better guide patients through the emotional landscape of retinal disease. Interested in registering for the webinar? Sign up through this link: bit.ly/4nHgk7m