Discover the most effective low vision aids, handpicked by ophthalmologists and low vision specialists. These products have been selected to help individuals with vision challenges lead a more independent and fulfilling life.
Low vision aids or devices are designed to help people with low vision or other visual impairments. These aids, as the term means, provide assistance to people with visual impairments or low vision. These low vision aids are actually devices such as magnifiers or other lenses that assist people to see better.
They work to bolster visual resources for persons suffering from visual impairments.
Instruments of magnification such as magnifiers and telescopes expand visual images for easier examination. Objects are seen more distinctly by employing aids such as high-contrast reading materials and electronic displays. In fore-casting surrounding environments, aids such as textures may be used to alert individuals to existing barriers inherently; alert systems. Some instruments of innovation are so inventive as to convert and translate visual information into signals heard through hearing or felt such as tactile alerts and aids.
Our range of low-vision aids is extensive and caters to a wide variety of needs for people living with visual impairments. This extensive selection offers everything from handheld magnifiers to electronic ones, and even large-print books and high-contrast reading materials. The Talking Library service can provide audio books for listeners. Community Center, Inc. offers exciting and entertaining ways to stay connected to this fulfilling service. With the tools and support Community Center, Inc. offers, you will continue to live a productive and independent life.
Find the proper low vision devices for you depending on factors, including the type and the intensity of your visual disability, your personal demands and the tasks or activities, that you are about to put into force. The exam done by a low vision specialist can help with determining the most affordable and beneficial set of low vision devices meeting personal needs. Consider magnifying factors or modality contrast facilitations, portability, ease of use, or purposes that you may have for the device for the special activities you may pick. It is estimated that by knowing all of your basic personal needs you can gauge your independence and the possibility of having your personal lifestyle revert to normal conditions and lifestyle.
Low vision sunglasses which have specific filters that reduce glare and enhance contrast. Patients with low vision usually have a vision condition or disease and it’s vital to protect the existing vision and structure from harmful UV rays. Low vision sunglasses come in a variety of forms to compliment other low vision aids being used simultaneously. Cocoons are a common fit over style sunglasses that go over other glasses. Wrap around sunglasses help block side glare and flip up to allow for switching quickly between clear and filtered. An orange filter blocks 100% of the scattered blue light which makes for optimum clarity and can be used indoor and outdoors. It’s used mostly for reading and driving. Yellow provides clarity and contrast and is used mostly for driving in low light situations. Amber reduces glare by filtering 96% of the blue light and is great for contrast. It’s a favorite for outdoor daytime use. Rose lenses are also great for outdoor use and help with contrast and are probably the most comfortable on the visual system which is why it is also prescribed for migraine headaches.
Bioptic telescopes are what are used for driving, the optics of these low vision aids are miniaturized to fit in the top of a pair of glasses. The head is tilted down to view or spot things through them and then returns to the main lens for normal function. Bioptics are great for being mobile because they won’t make the user dizzy. Bioptics can be used in 46 out of 50 states for driving. In those states that they aren’t allowed for driving they are still great for everyday use for spotting and details in the distance without having to take them off to move around.
Telescope low vision aids are handheld spotting scopes. They are usually monocular and can be fixed focused, autofocused, or focusable. These are more cumbersome than the spectacle mounted telescopes but offer more versatility of range and magnification. These can be great for kids just learning how to use the telescopes and getting accustomed to their uses and functions. Once used to them it will be easier to move to a spectacle mounted telescope.
Full field telescopes glasses offer a large field of view and are mounted straight in front of the eyes for activities such as TV viewing or playing cards. They can also be converged and the focal point set for reading or near work. These can also be a complete low vision system, with the addition of lens caps that fit on the end of the telescope glasses, they can be focused at multiple distances for intermediate or near use. Full field telescopes are usually used in stationary situations. They are difficult to move around with them on because they have a tendency to make the user dizzy.
Handheld magnifiers come in a variety of sizes, powers and lighted and unlighted versions. They are a form of a microscope with high plus powered lenses. The stronger the power the more magnification but this also reduces the field of view, meaning you see less content. For example 4x low vision aid magnifiers will magnify words two times more than a 2x, but will have to be held two times closer and will have a field of view half the size.. So instead of maybe three words being in view at a time only one and a half are in view. These come either lighted or non lighted and even have wireless charging docks for the lighted versions.
Stand Magnifiers also have plus (convex) lenses in them and are mounted in a rigid frame or stand for placing on a table or bench. This allows for hand free functionality. They are used for reading, writing, or any hobbies or near tasks that can be done at a table. These low vision aids are great for paying bills, needle work, model making etc. Most stand magnifiers come illuminated but can also be ordered without illumination. They are great low vision aids for children because they don’t require them to hold them like hand held magnifiers and the reading material doesn’t have to be held super close as with microscope glasses.
Electronic Magnifiers include things like closed circuit televisions, video magnifiers, large print computer programs like zoom text, screen readers such as Jaws or Virtual Vision. Computer tablets with the feature of being able to enlarge print has also made them an invaluable low vision aid. Electronic devices are great options when considering low vision aids for children. Children are fast learners and adapt well to new low vision devices especially electronics.
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Wearable visual aids for low vision such as Iris Vision , See Boost, and Vision VR are great low vision tools for people with advanced vision loss. The advantages of these, some offer autofocus, larger fields of view compared to optical low vision devices, audible text reading, virtual reality movie viewing and many other high tech features. The disadvantages are size, they tend to be quite bulky, technically challenging for the elderly and expensive.
One non optical electronic device is called the Orcam. The Orcam is a vision aid for the blind, it reads text, recognizes faces,identifies barcodes, recognizes money, products and colors. This is a voice activated device that uses artificial intelligence and attaches to any pair of glasses. It quickly can read text from your phone or a book, it stores faces for recall later and can help you maintain your independence by helping you to shop on your own and continue to live an independent life.
The success a patient will have with an optical low vision aid is dependent on their visual acuity. Usually these low vision devices are used if the acuity is 20/200 or better. If a lot of magnification is needed a low vision system like a telescope is recommended with the minimum required power to keep the maximum field of view. The field of view will have a great influence on successful adaptation to the telescope. For conditions where the central vision is compromised oftentimes the patient will need to be trained how to use the technique of eccentric viewing. This should be taught before the patient is dispensed the telescope.
Low vision aids for near vision should be used when the object is having to be held too close or when the patient has to accommodate too much (focus). Up until second grade reducing the distance from the object to the eye is recommended if the acuity is 20/200 or better. From this stage on a stand magnifier, hand magnifier, electronic magnifier, or microscope glasses should be introduced. If the acuity is worse than 20/200 the optical low vision aids should be introduced earlier. When the acuity is 20/800 or worse, braille and a computer with a talking system should be used.
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