Low Vision Center
Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington, operating the Low Vision Resource Center, is a Greater Washington region nonprofit providing free resource navigation, support groups, and insurance-billable vision rehabilitation to adults, seniors, and children with vision impairment, reaching 13,000+ beneficiaries annually.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersBethesda, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Low Vision Center does
Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington (POB), operating its Low Vision Resource Center under the Seeing Hope℠ mark, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free and insurance-billable services to individuals with vision impairment across the Greater Washington region (DC, Maryland, Virginia). Its core offerings are three: the Low Vision Resource Center, which provides no-cost resource navigation, visual-aid try-out, and personalized guidance delivered by Resource Navigators; the Janet Morrison Resource & Support Network, a 30+ year-old community of 10+ support groups, technology demonstrations, and educational events; and Vision Rehabilitation, in which optometrists specializing in low vision conduct examinations (partially reimbursable under Medicare and most medical insurance) and create individualized plans incorporating optical and non-optical aids, counseling, and referrals to state rehabilitation agencies. Supporting resources include the monthly Your Eyes Today large-print newsletter and Low Vision Town Hall call-in meeting recordings on Anchor.fm.
The organization has no proprietary technology platform; its service delivery is human-led across three physical sites (Bethesda MD, Washington DC, Alexandria VA), a toll-free Information & Resource Hotline (301-951-4444), a main office line (202-234-1010), and a WordPress website (youreyes.org) with active social profiles on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Clinical leadership is anchored by Clinical Director Dr. Suleiman Alibhai, O.D., F.A.A.O. (joined 2025 from a dedicated low-vision private practice, fellowship-trained at Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute) and optometrist Dr. Peyam Mojallal, O.D.
Revenue is a hybrid of philanthropic and clinical reimbursement streams. The vast majority of services are free, with funding sourced from named foundations — Julius Fleischman Foundation, Virginia Lions Eye Institute Foundation, and District 24-A Lions Club — as well as individual donations and resale shop operations. Vision rehabilitation examinations are the primary billable service, partially reimbursable under Medicare and most medical insurance; not all components of the examination are covered. Referrals from optometrists and ophthalmologists feed the rehabilitation pipeline, though referrals are not required for most other services. POB reports reaching more than 13,000 community members annually through evidence-based vision screenings, eyeglasses distributions, rehabilitation, and community education.
Low Vision Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Low Vision Center
- Legal name
- Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington
- Website
- https://lowvisioninfo.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington, operating the Low Vision Resource Center, is a Greater Washington region nonprofit providing free resource navigation, support groups, and insurance-billable vision rehabilitation to adults, seniors, and children with vision impairment, reaching 13,000+ beneficiaries annually.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Low Vision Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Low Vision Rehabilitation Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Offices of Optometrists (62132), Offices of Optometrists (621320), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro industry
- Low Vision RehabilitationLow Vision & Assistive Vision Devices (Magnifiers, Electronic Video Magnifiers, Wearable Vision Aids)Healthcare & Life Sciences/Medical Devices & Diagnostics/Ophthalmic Devices (Vision Care & Surgical)
Keywords
Where Low Vision Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bethesda
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Low Vision Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation and Donor Funding: Services are funded through charitable foundations (Julius Fleischman Foundation, Virginia Lions Eye Institute Foundation) and individual donors. The organization operates as a nonprofit.
- Insurance Billing: Medicare and most medical insurances can be billed for vision rehabilitation examinations. Not all aspects of examinations are covered by insurance.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Low Vision Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Low Vision Center provides free vision support services, resource navigation, and individualized vision rehabilitation for individuals with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, Stargardt's Disease, and other low-vision conditions across the Greater Washington region. Its core offerings include expert advice and try-out of visual aid technologies at appointment-based Resource Centers in Bethesda and Alexandria, vision rehabilitation examinations with low-vision optometrists in Washington DC and Bethesda, and the Janet Morrison Resource & Support Network of 10+ community support groups. The program is operated by the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington (POB), a nonprofit, and impacts more than 13,000 community members annually.
Product overview
The Low Vision Center operates as a multi-service program within the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington, offering a unified portfolio of vision support services rather than a software product. The core offerings include the Low Vision Resource Center (providing free vision support services and resource navigation), the Janet Morrison Resource & Support Network (support groups and educational events), and Vision Rehabilitation (individualized plans with low vision specialists). Supporting resources include the Your Eyes Today newsletter and Low Vision Town Hall Meeting Recordings. The program serves individuals with various eye conditions including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and Stargardt's Disease, impacting over 13,000 community members annually through screenings, eyeglasses distributions, rehabilitation, and community support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Janet Morrison Resource & Support Network: A support network for people with visual impairments including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and Stargardt's Disease, fostering support, awareness, and community-building for over 30 years.
Products and services
- Low Vision Resource Center Free vision support services and resource navigation program for individuals with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and other eye conditions. Resource Navigators (mix of professionally trained staff and individuals with personal vision challenges) provide personal guidance, expert advice, opportunities to try visual aid technologies, and connections to local resources. Accessible via phone hotline or by appointment at Bethesda and Alexandria offices.
- Janet Morrison Resource & Support Network A 30+ year support network for people with visual impairments including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and Stargardt's Disease. Includes traditional support group sessions, technology demonstrations, educational presentations by doctors, and other informational events, with more than 10 active groups in the Greater Washington region.
- Vision Rehabilitation Individualized rehabilitation plans created with optometrists specializing in low vision to enhance ability to live independently, safely, and comfortably. Includes eye exams, optical and non-optical visual aids or adaptations, education and counseling about state rehabilitation agencies, occupational therapy, and connection to support groups. Available at Washington DC and Bethesda locations by referral (recommended but not required).
- Vision Screenings and Eyeglasses Distributions Evidence-based community programs including vision acuity and glaucoma screenings, eyeglasses distributions, and fittings for children and adults with low vision, delivered through community outreach.
- Your Eyes Today Newsletter Monthly large-print newsletter designed for people with vision impairment, covering vision health topics, helpful insights for persons with vision impairment, and upcoming Janet Morrison Network events. Available in print and email versions.
- Low Vision Town Hall Call-In Meeting Recordings Audio recordings of Low Vision Town Hall call-in meetings providing ongoing educational content and community connection for people with vision impairment.
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 13,000 community members impacted annually through programs
Companies that use Low Vision Center
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Low Vision Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Low Vision Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Low Vision Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ASB): Philadelphia-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, assistive technology training, and support services to individuals with vision loss. Closely comparable service mix and nonprofit delivery model to POB.
- Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Regional nonprofit serving Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area with low vision exams, rehabilitation training, support groups, and assistive technology demonstrations — a near-direct functional peer to POB.
- Second Sense: Chicago nonprofit providing rehabilitation training, counseling, and adaptive technology services to people with vision loss. Operates a similar community-based support and rehabilitation model to POB.
- Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey: New Jersey-based nonprofit delivering vision rehabilitation, support groups, and adaptive living programs. Functionally equivalent to POB's combination of rehabilitation, peer support, and resource navigation.
- Bosma Enterprises: Indianapolis-based nonprofit offering vision rehabilitation, employment services, and independent living programs for people who are blind or visually impaired. Comparable integrated rehabilitation and support model to POB.
- The Chicago Lighthouse: Multi-service nonprofit offering low vision examinations, vision rehabilitation, assistive technology, and support programs. Operates a similar integrated service portfolio to POB but in a larger metropolitan market.
Broad incumbents
- Foundation Fighting Blindness: National nonprofit funding retinal disease research and providing patient outreach for conditions including macular degeneration and Stargardt's Disease — overlapping with POB's primary condition focus at a national scale.
- Prevent Blindness: National eye health organization focused on prevention, early detection, and advocacy for vision conditions. Shares POB's mission orientation and overlapping focus on screening and early intervention, but operates at national scale.
- Lighthouse Guild: National nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, behavioral health, and vision-loss support services. Directly comparable to POB's combined clinical, resource navigation, and support group offerings, but at significantly larger national scale.
Others
- Lions Clubs International Foundation: International service organization that funds vision-loss programs, including eye care and blindness prevention. POB receives Lions Club funding, and Lions-affiliated entities represent a comparable ecosystem player in low-vision services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Low Vision Center social profiles
Digital presenceLow Vision Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Low Vision Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Low Vision Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Low Vision Center M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Low Vision Center
What does Low Vision Center do?
Low Vision Center provides free vision support services, resource navigation, and individualized vision rehabilitation for individuals with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, Stargardt's Disease, and other low-vision conditions across the Greater Washington region. Its core offerings include expert advice and try-out of visual aid technologies at appointment-based Resource Centers in Bethesda and Alexandria, vision rehabilitation examinations with low-vision optometrists in Washington DC and Bethesda, and the Janet Morrison Resource & Support Network of 10+ community support groups. The program is operated by the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington (POB), a nonprofit, and impacts more than 13,000 community members annually.
Is Low Vision Center a public or private company?
Low Vision Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Low Vision Center founded?
Low Vision Center was founded in 1979. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Low Vision Center based?
Low Vision Center is headquartered in Bethesda, United States, in the North America region.
How does Low Vision Center make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Foundation and Donor Funding is the primary driver. The others are insurance Billing.
Who are Low Vision Center's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ASB), Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Second Sense, Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey, Bosma Enterprises and The Chicago Lighthouse. Broad incumbents are Foundation Fighting Blindness, Prevent Blindness and Lighthouse Guild. Lions Clubs International Foundation is listed as an others.
Does Low Vision Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for Low Vision Center.
What industry is Low Vision Center in?
Low Vision Center's product category is Low Vision Rehabilitation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAKAKAJ, Low Vision Rehabilitation, with a secondary code of HLAHAJAN, Low Vision & Assistive Vision Devices (Magnifiers, Electronic Video Magnifiers, Wearable Vision Aids). Its NAICS code is 624120 and its SIC code is 8300.