Asteroid hyalosis (AH) is an eye condition that causes you to develop tiny, glittering yellow particles or flecks inside your eyes. It’s usually harmless, and most cases don’t need any treatment.
The particles that develop with AH form inside the vitreous, the clear, gel-like substance inside your eyes. AH affects only one eye at a time in more than 80% of cases.
Despite its classification as a permanent and degenerative condition, most people don’t know they have it. That’s because it doesn't usually affect your vision or cause symptoms. The glittering effect inside the eye is hard to spot unless you shine a light directly at the affected eye and look closely.
Eye floaters (myodesopsias) sometimes appear in your vision due to AH crystals. Floaters are common after you turn 50, and they’re usually a normal effect of the aging process. The key difference between the two is that AH involves glittering particles in your eyes, While eye floaters can happen without those particles.
I think everyone was taken aback by the unexpected introduction of YouTube's new "audio tracks" feature, logging onto the 'tube and hearing your favorite content creators speaking in robot voices wasn't on anyone's bingo card but I beg everyone to resist the kneejerk reaction of "This is AI slop and must be destroyed" and look closer:
First of all, the voiceover is NOT AI generated, it uses the voice synthesizers that google has been using for their assistant for years, what it says merely mirrors the available subtitle track/s and translates them if needed, a feature that has been available for over a decade at this point
This feature can only HELP creators reach a new audience. Up until now, you had to learn a language or rely on the automatically translated subtitles (which are not available on every video and aren't a viable option for the visually impaired) to view content from foreign youtubers, the voice-over/audio tracks feature, if embraced by creators, could help eliminate the language barrier.
Why is this important? Two words: educational content. There is a massive disparity between what is available on english-speaking youtube and what's available in other languages: if used correctly, youtube can be a powerful tool to learn new things on your own time, but for many non-English speakers, this isn't possible.
Now, tutorials, educational videos, courses, and content about any topic you can name: history, biology, electronics, can now be viewed by anyone regardless of how well they can see and what language they speak. It may not be perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better than what we had previously. So please
The fight against AI must continue, our livelihoods are being threatened, education is being poisoned and we cannot turn a blind eye, but don't let tech designed for accessibility get caught in the crossfire.
EDIT UNDER THE CUT
EDIT: I've just found out the feature also supports the uploading of a pre-existing audio track, just like with subtitles, the channel owner can provide their own track. See for example this episode of Pokémon, available in multiple different dubs:
I would love to see more representation of visual impairments in writing! Here are some prompts to use for blind or visually impaired characters:
Person A going with Person B to an appointment with their eye doctor.
Person A taking notes during class to give to Person B because they know that Person B can't see the chalkboard and is too shy to ask for help.
Person A using sighted guide to guide Person B somewhere.
Person A wanting to read a book that isn't available in audio form so Person B offers to read it to them / record one themself.
Person A always being sure to find a table that doesn't face the windows when they go to a restaurant with Person B because they know that the light will bother Person B's eyes.
Person A helping Person B apply their makeup / paint their nails / pick out their outfit
Person A knows that Person B struggles to feel independent because they can't drive so Person A promises to give them a ride any time they need/want to go somewhere.
Person A sending Person B braille cards for their birthday/Christmas/etc.
Person A surprising Person B with front-row seats to a show that Person B really wanted to go to but could only afford seats that were so far back that they wouldn't be able to see.
Person A standing up for Person B who is being bullied for being blind/visually impaired.
(NOTE: Please be considerate when including blind/visually impaired characters in your writing. Please know that while help is often appreciated, blind/visually impaired people do not always require/want the assistance of an able-bodied person. Please be aware that blind/visually impaired people have varying preferences and abilities. Thank you.)
I am so frustrated by the fact that blindness and visual impairments are very rarely talked about in discussions about disability and ableism. I see stuff about people who have mobility issues, learning disabilities, or other disabilities that are more visible, but very rarely anything about blindness.
The factors I think that have caused this are that many websites are not accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired, so many just stay off of them, and something I've noticed growing up is that many people who are blind or visually impaired are treated like children by their families and the people who are helping them, and because of that many don't learn how to have these discussions about ableism and how to advocate for themselves. And I guess I just wish I knew how to draw more people who are blind or visually impaired into discussions about disability.
Isn't it ableist of SJWs to have bright pastel blogs with tiny, also pastel and impossible to read text? Or does ableism only apply to their 20 self diagnosed mental illnesses?
Right? I don't have any impairments whenever I'm wearing my contacts or glasses and it still murders my vision when I attempt to read them.
Enhance your home’s accessibility with our detailed guide on automating spaces for visual impairments. Discover smart solutions that improve daily living and independence, including cutting-edge technologies and practical tips. Learn how to implement these innovations effectively and create a more comfortable environment. Check out our article now and find out how home automation can make a difference: How to Automate Your Home for Visual Impairments.
Learn how to automate your home for visual impairments with accessible smart devices. From voice-controlled systems to tactile feedback, dis
The aging population is in dire need of caregiver services in Kansas to help them cope with daily tasks.
It is no surprise how aging comes with various challenges that range from physical, emotional, cognitive, mental, and even behavioral aspects. The aging population is in dire need of caregiver services in Kansas to help them cope with daily tasks.
