Handheld magnifiers are low vision aids that can be used daily for reading prescription bottle labels, homework assignments and more. Available as both traditional and electric models, these devices feature lighting controls, magnification capabilities and image capture/freeze screen features to maximize efficiency.

Brightly lighting a kitchen can make meal preparation and consumption simpler at home. Contrasting light and dark hues can also improve independence for everyday activities like pouring beverages or cutting food.

Optical Devices

Optic devices are aids used to magnify and erect images for the user’s eyes, often used with low vision mirrors to assist in reading, writing, driving and cooking tasks.

Optics devices include handheld or portable electronic magnifiers and desktop video cameras (also known as CCTV). Both types of devices provide magnification powers ranging from several times up to infinity as well as viewing mode and lighting options, plus they may be controlled using voice activated controls or switches making them user friendly for those with limited mobility.

This invention comprises a plurality of mirrors located between an eyepiece lens and objective lens, each pivotally mounted for movement relative to one another. A spherical mirror positioned closer to the objective lens than to its eyepiece lens provides optical coherence while another mirror is used effectively converge to produce binocular images when objects located about one meter or less from the system are seen through.

Nonoptical devices are items designed to promote independent living and alter environmental perception by increasing illumination, contrast and spatial relationships. They may be prescribed alongside tinted lenses, visors and caps designed to counter glare. Furthermore, there are assistive technology apps that can use smartphones or tablets as portable digital magnifiers; as well as apps dedicated to helping individuals learn to cook safely or drive safely.

Portable Electronic Magnifiers

A handheld electronic magnifier, commonly referred to as an image magnifier, is an indispensable low vision aid. These portable devices are lightweight and available in multiple sizes from 3.5″ for the Amigo up to 6.5″ for Pebble models; with up to 14X magnification for clear viewing. Computer connectivity may also be offered as well as split screen viewing that enables visually impaired individuals to manage multiple tasks at the same time.

Low vision magnifiers are excellent tools for reading, viewing maps, writing checks, pill bottles, bills and recipes; following a presentation at work or school; following presentations or following classes. Some electronic magnifiers can even be aimed at objects in the distance and projected onto a monitor similar to the way CCTV works; in addition, some models allow cameras to capture images and text that will then be magnified onscreen.

Enhanced Vision offers an extensive selection of handheld electronic magnifiers and can provide in-home demonstrations to help you choose which device best meets your individual needs. To explore our handheld magnifiers further, visit either of our New York and New Jersey low vision store locations, or call one of our knowledgeable representatives to arrange for them to visit and demonstrate products tailored specifically to you; such as Jupiter Portable Electronic Magnifier which adapts perfectly with daily life activities.

Electronic Scanners

Many individuals with low vision rely on electronic scanners, which convert printed documents to audio format. Scanners can also be connected directly to computer monitors for easy access to large print text in different colors, sizes and fonts as well as controls to change screen reader voice rates and volumes if necessary. Finally, they can even be used to play DAISY formatted Digital Talking Books.

Mirrors can alter the angle of propagation of light beams by pivoting around its conjugate telecentric plane, and two-axis tripod electrothermal MEMS mirrors operating at non-resonant mode can produce circular patterns by altering where illuminated spots appear on specimen planes in relation to pivot angle.

Point scanning systems necessitate that each scanning cycle fills the rear aperture fully to avoid illumination fall-off at scan extremes, often at the expense of flexibility and image quality. Previous designs tended to compromise these factors but recent technology developments have enabled more reliable configurations to emerge than their predecessors.

Resonant scanner-galvanometers operate at a fixed frequency, eliminating external vibrations while offering cross-axis wobbling stability of less than 1 arc sec PTP optical. Beryllium mirror material is recommended for frequencies above 8kHz due to its stiffness and low inertia; when combined with liquid lenses this type of scanner makes for ideal applications where system SWAP (size, weight and power) limits sensor size.

Scribes

Students who struggle with motor or processing difficulties, or physical impairments that prevent them from writing or typing may require readers and/or scribes during exams and quizzes to record their responses without the distraction of writing with their hands. For this accommodation to work properly, private rooms with extra testing time will need to be set aside so both student and reader/scribe can converse freely, pose questions freely, and complete the exam or quiz in its entirety.

Medical scribes are human notetakers that transcribe doctors’ intra-operative notes during patient encounters. Scribes allow doctors to provide more thorough and efficient care while increasing physician productivity. Scribes document patient histories and vital signs, communicate with patients, families, staff members in the operating room as well as pass along important updates between surgeries.

An affordable line tracker that displays 1-5 lines at once may help people with low vision follow along when reading and/or listening. A virtual assistant or smart speaker may also assist someone who has vision loss interact with mainstream technology by enabling voice-enabled search, webpage access, taking pictures/video, making calculations, checking weather/time reports, opening applications etc. As this type of assistive technology can be costly it is wise to consult your eye doctor first about any options.

Overhead Lighting

One way of improving low vision is using overhead lighting to illuminate objects. This can be accomplished using overhead projectors, which are frequently used for displaying enlarged activities scripts, directions, reading materials and demonstrations for students with vision impairments. Overhead lighting may also be useful for demonstrations or tactile 3D models; hygieneists should make sure the light flows parallel with their line of sight in order to prevent shadowing effects.

In this experiment, pedestrian and target visibility were assessed by measuring their detection distances. Separate analyses were then carried out on both targets and pedestrians to isolate effects such as overhead lighting level or headlamp condition that may have an effect on detection distances for orientation recognition or detection distance.

Results revealed that pedestrian visibility depended on both overhead-lighting levels and headlamp conditions. At overhead lighting levels of 30 percent or lower, overhead lighting usually played the primary role, allowing relatively distant detections. Below this threshold threshold however, headlamps competed with overhead-lighting level for visibility by altering properties like contrast, adaptation luminance and light angle affecting properties associated with the pedestrians such as contrast.

Figure 87 depicts SNK groupings for target and pedestrian data, showing how overhead-lighting levels significantly influenced both detection distances as well as orientation recognition distances for both groups of participants. Young participants were more apt at detecting both pedestrians and targets than older ones; however, overall mean detection distances did not differ between younger and older groups across all overhead lighting conditions and headlamp conditions combined.

Pens

Low vision pens with bold lines and wider spaces between them help people write legibly. Writing guides can also be used with low vision pens to keep hands steady when writing checks, grocery lists or notes for loved ones. Some pens even offer gooseneck features to focus light in specific places – which makes writing much simpler!

Holding handheld scanning pens or text-to-speech readers may help students with low vision or photophobia decipher printed documents like exam papers or books more easily. Large print cookbooks or recipe cards that allow people to cook by time rather than sight can also assist.