Professional Advisory Board
Sightline Consulting, L.L.C. is an international vision consultancy, known primarily for the development of the SIGHTLINESM low vision rehabilitation program. SLC works with clients throughout the US and abroad to further treatment of patients who suffer from age-related macular degeneration and the other low vision diseases. SLC provides education, tools and technologies to licensed healthcare providers, so they may better help persons who suffer from low vision to improve visual abilities and selected functionalities.
In order to ensure that SIGHTLINESM and all practices utilized by SLC remain state of the art, SLC has assembled a Professional Advisory Board, which comprises luminaries in the fields of ophthalmology, optometry and low vision rehabilitation. Curriculum vitae for these distinguished professionals are provided below.
Donald C. Fletcher, MD
Dr. Donald C. Fletcher is a preeminent expert in the field of low vision rehabilitation. He has devoted a career, which spans three decades, to the study and practice of clinical strategies designed to help those who suffer from the low vision disabilities. He has personally cared for over 20,000 low vision patients and his work has led to numerous advances in the understanding and treatment of these debilitating diseases.
Recognition of his leadership in this category is widespread as evidenced by:
- Senior Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Meritorious Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Low Vision presented by Association for Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Former Chairman and standing member of the Low Vision Rehabilitation Committee of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Adjunct Associate Clinical Scientist - Schepens Eye Institute, Harvard University Medical School
- Professor - University of Alabama Birmingham, Dept. of Ophthalmology
- Member - National Advisory Group, Center of Excellence - Aging & Vision Loss, US Veteran's Administration
- Scientist - Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
- Director - Frank Stein and Paul S. May Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation, California Pacific Medical Center
These are but a few of the many institutions and clinical boards upon which Dr. Fletcher has been asked to serve.
Dr. Fletcher has trained 20 fellows, who are currently practicing low vision rehabilitation nationwide. He has completed volunteer missions in China, Brazil, Philippines, Zimbabwe and the Caribbean. He has developed and brought to market a variety of low vision rehabilitation products such as the Fletcher Central Field Test and the SK Read Test.
Donald has authored or co-authored 60 publications discussing the treatment of low vision, including the internationally recognized LOW VISION REHABILITATION - Caring for the Whole Person, An American Academy of Ophthalmology study guide for Ophthalmologists, Residents and Allied Health Personnel.
He is a regular speaker and presenter at the Annual meetings of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired as well as the Annual Envision Conference. He has lectured at such prestigious events as the World Ophthalmology Congress Meetings in Hong Kong and Brazil, the Continuum of Care Conference sponsored by the Veteran's Administration, the Annual Schepens Eye Research Institute Seminars on Advances in Eye Care, the National Association for the Visually Impaired Conference, the International Symposium on Low Vision Rehabilitation in Rome, and over 150 other important eye care symposiums.
Dr. Fletcher continues to actively practice low vision rehabilitation, in addition to his research. He is a Senior Partner at the Retina Consultants of SW Florida in Fort Myers, FL. He also conducts research and teaches at the Department of Ophthalmology at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, CA and the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education in Birmingham, AL.
SIGHTLINE Consulting, L.L.C. is proud and honored to have Dr. Donald Fletcher as the senior member of its Professional Advisory Board. His counsel will be invaluable in ensuring that the SIGHTLINESM Program retains the leading edge in the field of eccentric viewing training and low vision rehabilitation.
