Editorial - When Ocular Health Becomes the Key to Communication in ALS

• Annie Roche, MA, CCC-SLP • Bridging Voice Organization • New York, New York 

• Karina Nagin, BA, MPA • Bridging Voice Organization • New York, New York 

• Nachum Lehman, Technical Director • Bridging Voice Organization • New York, New York 

• Trinity Deibert, MS, CCC-SLP • Bridging Voice Organization • New York, New York 

• Liat Gantz, BOptom, BSc, PhD • Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College, Jerusalem, Israel

Congratulations to Dr. Liat Gantz on her recent editorial that exemplifies multidisciplinary rehabilitation in action. For people living with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), eye-controlled devices are often their only way to communicate. But the study found that more than one in four patients cannot use these tools properly—not because of the technology, but because of untreated eye problems. Some issues come from medications that affect vision. Others are caused by dry eyes due to reduced blinking and long hours focusing on screens. By bringing together eye care specialists, neurologists, and rehabilitation professionals, simple but powerful solutions were found. Adjusting medications and using special scleral contact lenses helped many patients regain the ability to communicate for hours each day. This work shows how small, targeted interventions can make a life-changing difference. It also demonstrates JMC’s belief that real impact comes from different fields working together. Read the full editorial below to get a compelling look at how restoring eye health can restore a person’s voice.

https://www.oepf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/OVP-14-1-Editoral-Final.pdf