There are many different types of low vision aids that you will be demonstrated to you at your low vision evaluation. There are many different aids because we want to find the right device for your individual vision needs and goals.
After we determine the proper power and equipment you require, we will set up a follow-up visit with our occupational therapist to make sure you are trained in the use of the devices that we recommend. These devices are essentially a prosthetic for your eye and just as with a new prosthetic limb, we want you to be trained properly to use your low vision aid so that you will be successful with it.
Handheld Magnifiers
A handheld magnifier is a great option because it is very portable. It works best for short, quick viewing tasks such as looking a grocery label or menu. There are a variety of powers and styles, but we usually recommend ones with a built in light. The magnifiers that we carry are prescription strength and are much stronger than those you can find at your local bookstore or online.
People always want the strongest magnifier that we have, however that may not be the best option. As the power of the magnifier increases, the field of view decreases. This can make it harder to read with a very small viewing area. If you have a more severe vision loss you may not be able to be corrected with a handheld magnifier alone.
Stand Magnifiers
Stand magnifiers sit directly on a flat surface and can be slid along the page for greater ease of use. These are a great option if you have difficulty holding a magnifier in your hand due to arthritis or a tremor. Because the sit flat, they do not work well on curved or irregular surfaces. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes with and without illumination.
Pocket Magnifiers
Pocket magnifiers are another excellent option because they are compact and affordable. They are small and fold up to easily fit in a pocket or purse and are therefore very portable. These are great for quick spotting tasks on the go. They do not have a large viewing area so they are not good for longer reading tasks.
Telescopes
Telescopes are used for seeing at a distance. If you have trouble seeing grocery store aisle numbers, bus numbers, menu boards at you local eatery, or seeing a television screen across the room, this is the device that can help. We can also mount telescopes into glasses for hands-free distance viewing. These designs are called a bioptics and can be prescribed for driving!
Video Magnifiers
When you need a higher level of magnification, video magnifiers are the best option. When stronger magnification is needed, a traditional handheld magnifier will have a smaller viewing area. This means you may only see one to two letters at a time which would make it very difficult to try to read for an extended amount of time.
A video magnifier uses a camera and a video screen allow for much higher levels of magnification. They are capable of ranges from 3x to over 50 times magnification. These devices also have the ability to adjust contrast and brightness that will make it easier to read something that has poor contrast. A video magnifier has so many uses. Viewing color photographs for family members, writing letters, reading medication labels, reading recipes, or viewing your face to apply makeup or shave are just a few of the things that you can use this device for.
There are desktop versions with a stand-mounted camera or more portable handheld versions that come in a variety of screen sizes. Some can allow for distance viewing, can be compatible with a computer or have OCR capabilities to scan and read to you! Let us show you all the things this device can do for you.
OrCam
OrCam MyEye is a lightweight wearable camera that attaches to any pair of glasses. It uses artificial intelligence technology that will read printed text aloud from any surface. Point your finger at what you want to read and the camera will collect the image and read it to you. It can also recognize faces, product labels, money, colors, and more – all in real-time! It is designed for all ages and can be used with any level of vision loss or for those with dyslexia or other learning disabilities. It uses simple hand gestures and over 20 voice-activated commands…and no internet is required.
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