Your child may be having difficulty reading, seeing shapes at close range or recognising faces; using a low vision device may provide much-needed assistance.

Customized low vision devices are tailored specifically to meet the unique needs of individuals with visual impairments, maximizing what vision remains while encouraging independence and increasing visual efficiency.1

Binocular Telescopic Devices

Human vision enables us to orient ourselves within our environment, recognize faces and bodies, read books and newspapers, drive a car or even climb the stairs. Unfortunately, vision can deteriorate over time due to age, disease or injury; many changes can be corrected with eyeglasses, medication or surgery; for those whose vision cannot be enhanced with these methods alone, low vision devices such as handheld magnifiers or video cameras with telescopic zoom may help enhance residual visual capability – these range from handheld magnifiers up to sophisticated video cameras with telescopic zoom capabilities.

Low vision rehabilitation professionals assist clients in using optical and non-optical devices to live more independently. Optometrists now have access to advanced autofocused telescopic devices, portable electronic magnifiers and built-in smartphone and tablet accessibility features as part of their toolbox of options for helping their clients.

Binocular telescopic devices consist of two ocular units with fixed foci for projecting high-resolution images to healthy photoreceptors surrounding the macula and helping patients decrease central scotomas caused by macular degeneration such as AMD or other retinal diseases.

As opposed to traditional video cameras with built-in lenses, modern video cameras use modular designs with sealed and self-contained modules for free flow of electricity and information between individual units. Their modularity also permits removal without breaking pressure seals or degrading performance.

Recent findings of a 2-year follow-up of 217 patients with AMD revealed that mean best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) improved by three lines among eyes implanted with Galilean Telescope Lens System implantation as opposed to only half line gain for fellow eyes at 1-year follow-up1. A clinical trial is being conducted in the US using Vision Care Ophthalmic Technologies Inc’s SING intraocular miniature telescope (IMT; Vision Care Ophthalmic Technologies Inc) for treating late stage AMD; eligibility criteria includes age 60 or over; stable form of dry-type dry-type AMD including central Scotoma and Foveal Atrophy with no active choroidal neovascularization present; adequate peripheral vision in fellow eye; cognitively aware enough to understand and provide informed consent prior to treatment initiation1.

Optic devices can be costly and are usually not covered by insurance plans, yet some community service organizations specialize in offering financial assistance to families for these devices.

Monocular Telescopic Devices

Patients unable to use binocular telescopic devices due to poor hand-eye coordination can use monocular telescopes instead. These devices enlarge images two to 14 times from distant objects, helping patients read books, recognize faces and engage in hobbies more comfortably while decreasing eye strain and fatigue. Furthermore, they’re lightweight, small, easily portable and aesthetically pleasing – perfect for patients without physical capabilities required for larger devices.

Monocular telescopes come in hand-held or clip-on styles, freeing the hands for other tasks. Patients may also opt for hybrid monocular/binocular designs which allow greater power ranges (up to 4x or 8x).

Monocular telescopic devices offer the advantage of magnifying nearby objects, making them great tools for reading and other close-up activities. They are particularly suitable for monocular patients suffering from central vision loss due to macular degeneration or other eye conditions.

Some of the latest wearable devices, like IrisVision, are designed to work seamlessly with smartphone technology to offer personalized experience and wide field of view for patients suffering from ocular diseases such as glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa or age-related macular degeneration. These devices may help combat such conditions.

Hand-held monoculars can be an easy solution for short-term viewing of signs. Galilean telescopes may also be helpful, however these tend to be difficult to use above 6x and limited by availability of suitable lenses.

Eye care practitioners should prescribe low vision devices early and often for children suffering significant visual acuity loss, since children usually accept such tools more readily than adults and can quickly learn to use them – making these an effective intervention to preserve vision in this population. Follow-up visits should be scheduled regularly to make sure children are getting maximum benefit out of their devices while being adjusted according to changing needs.

Wearable Devices

Low vision technology solutions are providing individuals of varying degrees with loss accessing vital information to maintain active lives and thrive. From smartphone apps and wearables, these tools enable those suffering from macular degeneration or other central vision disorders to navigate their surroundings and enjoy activities they love.

Assistive technologies offer a range of magnification options to meet the visual needs of patients of all types and ages, including practitioners themselves. When selecting optical or non-optical devices for their patient, practitioners should carefully consider goals of use, correct visual acuity levels, size magnification and portability as well as battery life to make an informed decision.

Optic low vision devices use lenses or prisms to magnify, reduce, modify the shape, size and location of an image on an eye’s retina. They may be handheld devices, resting on bases or stands, integrated into eyeglasses frames, or attached directly to monitors such as closed circuit television (CCTV).

Macular degeneration aids include adjustable increased lighting and contrast viewing modes to support functional areas of vision. This feature can help combat macular degeneration’s loss of sharp, fine detail vision as well as colors. Furthermore, various macular degeneration aids include vertical viewing modes so people living with this condition can still view images and texts naturally oriented to them.

Low vision devices have greatly advanced in functionality over the years; however, their costs remain prohibitive for many patients. There are ways for practitioners to help low vision patients afford these devices and enhance their quality of life; community organizations offer financial aid for macular degeneration sufferers when purchasing visual aids, while many devices covered by health insurance or other forms of financial assistance could cover such purchases as well.

Macular degeneration patients must follow their ophthalmologist’s advice when it comes to managing its effects, from monitoring disease progression through medication injections or laser eye surgery, as well as receiving medical care like laser eye surgery or retinal laser treatment. Supplementing these treatments with low vision aids such as the eSight can further expand functional abilities.

Computer Accessibility

Computer accessibility involves adapting software, hardware and physical environments in order to accommodate people with visual impairments, as well as providing them with assistive technology to address cognitive disabilities like dyslexia, ADD or autism. Computer operating systems feature built-in accessibility features like increasing font size or setting high DPI displays for displays containing images; you’ll often find these in programs or websites. Accessibility also plays a vital role in developing an effective low vision plan of care with optometrists taking into account patient goals, best-corrected visual acuity correction level magnification level to maximize benefits.

Mild to moderate vision loss may only require simple telescopic devices, electronic magnifiers or mobile phone applications to improve screen reading clarity and reduce eye fatigue for some individuals. Other solutions could be large fonts, high DPI displays and high contrast themes as well as text to speech software or refreshable braille displays for feedback on computer activity.

As their vision loss becomes more severe, those with severe to profound sight loss often require more sophisticated adaptive technologies. Mid tech vision-related AT devices might include household items that announce time or numbers – such as talking calculators and clocks – or electronic bill readers that display bill values electronically. Other options for those living with profound to severe blindness could include power braillers that connect directly to keyboards and print out what has been typed; electronic notetakers that act in place or as supplements of volunteer peer notetakers may also prove effective solutions.

At times of severe to profound blindness, computer users can be assessed remotely through video conference software by an occupational therapist or rehabilitation engineering technologist with expertise in assistive technology. They will assist the client in selecting, installing, configuring and training in using various devices – providing an ideal option for those unable to leave home or living far from providers of assessments.