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About Us

The yellow house where Spectrios is located

ABOUT US

Spectrios Institute, formerly Deicke Center for Visual Rehabilitation, is a unique organization providing a comprehensive visual rehabilitation program that includes low vision evaluation, counseling, and instruction of daily living skills and technology use.

OUR MISSION

Spectrios Institute empowers children and adults with vision loss, regardless of income, to optimize their visual capabilities and independence through the use of prescriptive tools, technology, rehabilitative training, and inspiration. We strive to educate every person with vision loss.

OUR HISTORY

Founded in 1986, by ophthalmologist P.K. Gieser, M.D., and his friend Edwin Deicke, Spectrios Institute for Low Vision (formerly Deicke Center for Visual Rehabilitation) has brought hope and independence through low vision products and specialized low vision rehabilitation services to over 10,000 people of all ages struggling with vision loss.

Spectrios Institute for Low Vision has been led since our founding by Dr. R. Tracy Williams, a recognized national leader in the field of low vision. He has dedicated his 30-year professional career to helping people who suffer from low vision.

In 1991, we established a children’s outreach program, Seeing Is Believing, to provide free diagnostic exams and optical devices to children with low vision.

Since 1992, we have been accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Impaired.

In 1995, our technology department was added to create our Eye Tec program, which provides the latest adaptive technology for people with vision loss.

In 1997, we began working with a local certified driver rehabilitation program to develop a driving protocol for persons who need telescopic glasses to meet state criteria for a daytime driver’s license.

In 2002, we moved to our new facility after conducting a successful 2 million dollar capital campaign. Also in 2002, we began our Residency Program in collaboration with the Illinois College of Optometry and the Chicago Lighthouse, educating new doctors of optometry in the field of low vision rehabilitation. We are proud of the many doctors who have completed this program.

In 2014, we established our successful Homecare Vision Services Program for the elderly and homebound. We also began work with the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) and established a vision clinic for the at-risk and underserved in Aurora, Illinois.

In 2015, with the appointment of a certified occupational therapist, Spectrios now provides services that train individuals to adapt to their visual challenges.