Don Fletcher

Scientist (Clinical)

M.D.

Donald C. Fletcher, M.D., is one of the world’s leading authorities on low vision rehabilitation and is a clinician and researcher in the field of retinal diseases and low vision rehabilitation. He conducted much of the early research in applying the Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope to the study of Age-related Macular Disease (AMD). He also established a new paradigm for low vision service delivery, engaging Occupational Therapists in the rehabilitation process for low vision – a model now widely spread across the country. Current research interests include macular function in low vision patients; outcomes of occupational therapy training of low vision patients; and psychology in low vision rehabilitation. He has extensive publications in the field and has brought several low vision devices and tests to the market. He is the Past Chairman of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Low Vision Committee, and the recipient of many awards including the Meritorious Achievement Award from the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Low Vision. He has a special interest in the provision of low vision care in underserved areas and has helped establish low vision clinics in various US locations, Canada, China, the Philippines, Chile, Brazil, and Zimbabwe.

Contact Information:

Email: floridafletch@msn.com


2318 Fillmore Street

San Francisco, CA 94115-1813

Projects

Display Reader Zoomed-in view of appliance display partially obscured by glare

Display Reader

The goal of the Display Reader project is to develop a computer vision system that runs on smartphones and tablets to enable blind and visually impaired persons to read appliance displays. Such displays are found on an increasing array of

CamIO Picture shows person pointing stylus to plastic model of a biological cell; webcam (not pictured) views model and stylus; computer, connected to webcam, announces "Nucleolus"

CamIO

CamIO (short for “Camera Input-Output”) is a system to make physical objects (such as documents, maps, devices and 3D models) accessible to blind and visually impaired persons, by providing real-time audio feedback in response to the location on an object

Labs

Colenbrander lab Colenbrander Lab

Colenbrander lab

To explore vision-related functioning as it relates to Vision Rehabilitation. This involves the development of =  insights into vision-related functioning and complex vision-related behaviors, as well as =  the development of clinically useful assessment tools, both low-tech and high-tech.