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SeeShore Fest raises funds, awareness for vision loss

5th annual event set for Saturday, Aug. 24
August 23, 2019

Heather Napolitano realized she was losing her vision while watching a basketball game six years ago.

“When I closed my right eye, I could not see the score,” she said. 

Napolitano lost the central vision in her left eye very quickly, and started to lose the central vision in her right eye just months later.

“I received steroid injections in both eyes multiple times, which slowed it [vision loss] down,” she said. “I went two-and-a-half years with top doctors not being able to give a clear diagnosis as to why I was losing my vision.”

Four years ago, she was finally diagnosed with capillary non-perfusion, a condition that occurs when blood stops flowing to certain parts of the retina. 

Her vision has remained steady for two years. A small portion of central vision remains in her right eye. Napolitano said she uses strong magnifiers and blackout window blinds to better use the vision she has left.

Five years ago, Napolitano and her family launched SeeShore Fest to raise money to fund research into vision loss and build awareness of the disorder. This year’s event is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 24 at The Starboard in Dewey Beach.

“All money raised will not only go to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, but also to the William Feinbloom Center at the Philadelphia Eye Institute,” Napolitano said. “The foundation funds thousands of research studies in efforts to one day cure blindness, while the eye institute provides instruments to help the visually impaired live a better life until that day comes.”

The festival has raised $45,500 to date for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Napolitano said the event is fun for the whole family, and she thanked Starboard owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery for his support.

“The famous Punch Board returns where there’s a winner every time,” she said. “There’s also our Cash Cube and raffles where you could walk away with prizes ranging from $250 to $5,000! Bring the kids along because there’s fun for them too!”

Go to facebook.com/SeeShoreFest.

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