In terms of helping those with low vision in their quest for help, the array of assistive technology can be somewhat overwhelming. With so many products that are available, it’s hard to figure out which one to choose and where to end! This list is intended to give you an idea of what’s available on the market and help you make an informed decision regarding which products are the best to meet your requirements.
Reading is among the most challenging things for people who have visual impairments. People with poor vision quit reading due to the fact that what was once a fun, spontaneous pastime is now a process that requires planning, thought, and plenty of adjustments. Reading has become a chore.
Low Vision Devices
Low-vision optical devices assist those with poor vision in reading, perceiving distances, and completing everyday tasks. They can be found in devices like hand-held magnifiers and a stand as well as magnifying reading glasses with strong magnification loupes, telescopes, and other magnifying glasses. The optics of these gadgets are usually different than regular glasses, delivering as much as 60X the magnification power.
There are many kinds of low-vision optical devices that are used for a variety of purposes. One could be used for reading or watching TV and spotting faces, and yet another to sew. Your doctor might also suggest sunglasses to cut down on the glare and protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) as well as blue light.
If you suffer from low vision glasses, prescription eyeglasses are generally not sufficient for near and distance tasks. It is also possible to wear different optical devices for various tasks you’d like to accomplish.
A lot of people who have low vision wear different glasses to view in different directions. It is possible that you will notice them distinct from what you may have been used to in the past when a single pair of lenses (like eyeglasses) provided the near-, intermediate as well as farsighted eyes.
There are numerous low-vision devices that assist in reading and make it more enjoyable for people suffering from various eye diseases that result in low vision, such as macular degeneration as well as retinitis pigmentosa tunnel vision, and many more. Examples of these devices include:
1. Magnifiers
Magnifying glass designed for Macular Degeneration is one of the cheapest low-vision devices to read and some models have been equipped with lighting to make print more noticeable. There are even more expensive models that are mounted on a height-adjustable stand and others that are supported by bands that are draped over your neck.
2. Reading Glasses
Special glasses are able to help those who have low vision read the tiny print. They are available in single vision styles or bifocals. I would suggest that those who require stronger than normal reading glasses take a few days to adjust to these types of glasses. (You must be more in proximity to the text.) However, it’s worth it to trade off the distance.
3. Reading Telescopes
Reading telescopes are generally placed on the lenses of glasses. The people who utilize the devices that have low vision to read require some instruction to make them work properly However, once they’ve done reading telescopes can be an excellent all-rounder. They also have handheld versions and can be exactly the same.
4. Video Magnifiers
Have you heard of Video magnifiers (or ZoomText) for the visually impaired? They have an image camera that shows high-quality images on a video screen and lets you be as close as you’d like. You can alter the brightness, magnification as well as contrast, and color of the screen to suit your preferences.
5. Portable Electronic Magnifiers
Electronic devices are available in a variety of sizes and shapes that look like the appearance of an iPad. The devices can be positioned by a reader for a better view of the text on the LCD screen.
6. Text to Voice Devices
There are many devices for people who have visually impaired eyes, such as OrCam Read. OrCam Read which can identify the text in books, phone screens computers, computers, and many more. The device can then convert the text into text that is spoken out loud by a computer’s voice.
Conclusion
It’s suggested that you visit your eye specialist who’s a low-vision specialist to identify the appropriate devices for your needs. Some eye doctors suggest beginning with one or two to test how you handle them before expanding your options as you work with these devices and get more used to using these devices.
