Vision may deteriorate gradually with age, eye disease or injury; those living with permanent visual impairment may still retain some residual vision that could be enhanced using low vision electronic glasses.

Eyedaptic’s smart glasses use smartphone tether technology and feature miniature cameras and image processing technology to improve vision for those suffering from macular degeneration.

Portable Digital Magnifiers

Portable electronic magnifiers are used by individuals who are legally blind, often relieving them from having to read aloud in public spaces. These magnifiers rely on screen attachment technology and camera technology to digitally magnify images and text; handheld versions offer high powered magnification that can be displayed on LCD high definition screens from 3.5″ to 6.5″. Furthermore, handheld magnifiers boast advanced features like freeze, adjust, highlight on reading, scroll zoom save recall image color mode self view (mirror imaging for grooming) computer connectivity as well as computer connectivity (often even providing magnified text displays).

Desktop versions of electronic magnifiers are typically larger and may offer features such as distance viewing, image capture and computer/media connectivity. They’re an excellent addition to both home and work settings; ideal for reading maps, menus, recipes pill bottle labels mail or any other items needing bright lighting and convenient magnification.

Some models of portable viewing panels feature camera technology to digitally magnify images or text for real-time display on a monitor screen. These units are lightweight and versatile; however, they require connection with either a laptop computer or other source in order to work.

The Jupiter Portable Electronic Magnifier is an elegant yet powerful device that helps people of all ages see the world around them in vivid clarity. Easily used on-the-go with its simple operation and advanced features such as adjustable contrast settings, self viewing mirror imaging capabilities and magnification ranging from 3.5″ to 6.5″, the Jupiter fits easily in an APH Transition Backpack (item 1-08211-00). Plus you can learn even more about this amazing product through Magnification for Students on the Go course on APH Hive!

Smart Glasses

Low vision patients now have access to smart glasses that integrate augmented reality (AR) and text-to-speech software into an easy-to-wear and use device, providing real-time information overlay that increases awareness of surroundings while helping navigate life more efficiently. These smart glasses make use of real-time information overlay, giving more awareness of surroundings while making navigation simpler.

Adaptive technologies, which have dramatically transformed low vision support services, are revolutionizing what it means to live with visual impairments and are providing greater autonomy and inclusion for people with visual impairments.

AR and other adaptive technology products face an uphill struggle when it comes to being discreet enough for daily use, particularly those worn hearing aids. Making their devices as unobtrusive as possible is especially critical for users wearing hearing aids as an electronic device would stick out awkwardly from their ears and interfere with daily living activities. As smart glasses have progressed further over time, becoming more visually pleasing with options that are virtually indistinguishable from regular eyewear.

Oppo’s Air Glass 3, released in 2024, looks much like any normal pair of sunglasses; they feature virtual images superimposed over wearers’ fields of vision that can be controlled via a touchpad designed to fit naturally with user facial structures. They also boast a voice assistant powered by generative AI – something OpenAI ChatGPT made popular – which has since found applications across everything from productivity apps and search engines.

Eyedaptic has recently developed the digital bioptic lens, which looks almost identical to standard pair of eyeglasses. Similar to existing mechanical bioptic lenses, these digital ones assist those suffering from poor central vision due to eye conditions like glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration, but the new digital ones also connect directly to smartphones for accessing additional capabilities like digital zooming, image stabilisation and auto-focus features.

These lenses can be adjusted with just a fingertip, and come in multiple prescriptions. In addition, they’re compatible with various assistive apps like OrCam MyEye Smart; a portable, voice-activated device attached to glasses to read text from smartphones, books and other surfaces as well as locate amounts, dates and times on calendars.

Head-Mounted Displays

Eye care professionals typically prescribe one device per need and task (e.g. near vision for reading or spotting, intermediate distance viewing for watching television or events and long range distance vision for driving), but often these individual pieces of equipment do not cooperate and multiple pieces may be required to meet different demands – for instance a patient may require both a portable digital magnifier and two head-mounted displays to simultaneously read and watch television.

Recent advances in camera and display technology, combined with improvements in wearable hardware, have resulted in more advanced heads-mounted devices. These devices typically consist of near-eye displays with some type of optical system integrated, as well as computers which process and enhance visual information for users.

Some examples of head-mounted devices:

These devices provide users with hands-free magnified (or minified) images with autofocus capabilities for task performance at any distance. In comparison to classical low vision devices that only assist in spot viewing, this approach comes closer to replicating how humans use their visual system prior to impairment.

To address an accommodation-vergence mismatch that contributes to eyestrain, devices may perform operations that relax ciliary muscles of their users – for instance by regularly showing distant content to users for a set amount of time (e.g. 20 minutes).

Other features of the device may include control circuitry designed to monitor refractive errors in a user’s eye and adjust at least one lens or position of display based on these measurements. For instance, if an individual suffers from astigmatism, for example, this feature could adjust their tunable liquid crystal cylindrical lens accordingly while viewing their display.

Some newer devices allow a user to record his or her surroundings and send that video footage directly to a mobile device for replay later or sharing with family and friends. This feature can help a person with impaired vision enjoy activities without needing someone as their guide.

High-Tech Adaptive Technologies

Assistive technology (AT) can assist individuals with visual impairments to access an abundance of information. From mobile apps that magnify images and text to head-mounted displays that provide real-time visual cues or other high-tech digital solutions, AT allows individuals with visual impairments to read, navigate, engage with confidence in daily activities with greater independence and inclusion.

Reading telescopes can be useful tools for individuals suffering central vision loss to navigate printed material more independently. Portable and lightweight telescopic glasses offer adjustable focus settings so users can select their ideal reading distance. By empowering individuals to independently engage with printed content independently, reading telescopes help reduce barriers in both workplace and social settings and decrease frustration for those battling to maintain their sight.

Smart glasses with augmented reality features offer another solution for people living with visual impairments. These glasses include a miniature camera that captures live images from their environment and displays them on an integrated display within their frames of the glasses, enabling individuals to enjoy scenic views, interact with family or friends via video calls, or navigate their daily environments more safely and independently.

Electronic glasses often require training to become proficient at, yet can provide users with a more natural and immersive visual experience than eyeglasses or smartphone cameras alone. As these augmented reality devices incorporate live images into the wearer’s peripheral vision, they don’t impair depth perception or hamper situational awareness.

IrisVision is an innovative and technologically advanced device that uses a wireless virtual reality headset to capture images and deliver them directly into the eyes of individuals with vision impairments, helping them regain quality of life previously enjoyed before their sight loss. Suitable for multiple conditions including macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, Best Disease, and Stargardt Disease – talk to an ophthalmologist near you about IrisVision; they’ll be able to assess if it would work in your case! For more information contact an ophthalmologist near you who will advise whether it would work in your case!