Visual Impairment | Low Vision | Difficulty Seeing
AZ, Phoenix, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Arizona
Low vision exists when any condition affecting the eye and visual system challenges a patient, reduces their vision, and limits their ability to perform necessary daily tasks and also enjoy those things that bring quality and pleasure to their lives.
When ordinary eyeglasses, contact lenses, surgery or intraocular implants cannot provide sharp vision, an individual is said to have low vision. Macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa, along with many other eye diseases, are causes of visual impairment or low vision. People with decreased vision still have useful vision and should seek out the care of an eye doctor who specializes in vision rehabilitation.
Low vision may present itself as: a loss of central vision, loss of peripheral or side vision, blurred vision, extreme sensitivity to light, and night blindness. Patients frequently cannot read, identify the faces of family and friends, play cards, watch TV, use a computer, drive a car, see the food on their plates or their faces in a mirror.
For more information about these visual challenges visit our website or call to schedule an appointment to improve your vision at 480.924.8755.
Large Print Keyboards | Low Vision Computer Modification
Gilbert, Chandler, Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, AZ, Arizona
With today’s computer systems all visually impaired people, including people who are totally blind, should be able to use a computer.
Hardware & Software Changes to Increase Visibility:
- Large print keyboards. ViewFinder stocks a large selection of large print keyboards and large print key overlays.
- Increasing monitor size will increase magnification.
- Most computer operating systems (Windows, Apple) have features that change the settings for increased visibility.
- ViewFinder carries a large selection of computer enlargement software that can be added to your computer.
Visit ViewFinder Low Vision Resource Center's website to receive free instructions on how to modify your computer for greater visibility and learn more about in-home computer modification assistance and training.
Low Vision Lighting | Tasks Lamps | Photophobia
AZ, Gilbert, Chandler, Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Arizona
While many low vision patients experience photophobia or are very glare sensitive, they also require a tremendous amount of light to perform tasks with their low vision aids. The correct use of lighting is just as important as using the correct low vision aid. If a person is able to read outside with their back to the sun but cannot read in their home, they most likely do not have the correct lighting.
Viewfinder Low Vision Resource Center has a large selection of reading and task lamps. We also have a selection of portable lamps that can be taken to restaurants, card games and other activities. The best type of lamp is a goose-neck lamp that directs the light directly over the shoulder while reading. This will give enough light on the reading material but will not cause glare. A lamp that is placed to the side, or on a side table, may be a source of glare and shadows. Good direct task light is also important for seeing food while eating, working in the shop or in the kitchen. Have portable lights or flashlights to help with dark areas in the home.
Light Sensitivity | Glare Control | Photophobia
Arizona, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Phoenix, Glendale AZ
Photophobia or extreme sensitivity to light and glare can be a severe problem for many low vision patients. Many eye diseases can create intraocular light scatter which can significantly reduce effective vision. The eyes become hypersensitive to what the normal eye sees only as moderate glare. The shorter wavelength, high-energy part of the visible spectrum dominates daylight and is a contributor to glare. Glare control can be a problem both indoors and outdoors.
Many low vision patients complain of intense light sensitivity and hazy vision when visual function is impaired by glare and loss of contrast. Sensitivity to light and glare can be reduced with a number of prescribed low vision aids. Special glasses and tints will also increase contrast sense which will also increase visual acuity.
There are a large variety of tints or filters with varying degrees of light transmission and contrast enhancement to reduce the sensitivity to light and glare. To read more about these products click here
Bioptic Telescope | Driving with Visual Impairment | Ability to Drive
Arizona, Chandler, Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, AZ
The ability to drive is a privilege that many of us take for granted. Driving affords us extended freedom of mobility and greatly enhances our quality of life. Visually impaired individuals can feel restricted and isolated when faced with losing their ability to drive.
A Bioptic Telescope can restore driving freedom to visually impaired adults. Arizona is one of 41 states that will grant a driver’s license to some visually impaired people when they drive using a bioptic telescope. Driving with a visual impairment while using bioptic telescopes is a very important personal decision that should be made collaboratively by the individual, the low vision eye specialist, and the motor vehicle department. To find out if you are a good candidate for driving with a bioptic device, make an appointment at ViewFinder Low Vision Center by clicking here.
Read more about Bioptic Telescopes here
Visual Independence | Larger Viewing | Lighting for Vision
Arizona, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Phoenix, AZ
When permanent vision loss occurs, the continuum of care is low vision rehabilitation. Low vision is any chronic uncorrectable visual impairment that limits daily functions. These 14 easy steps will help you maintain independence despite your visual impairment:
1. MAKE WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE LARGER
- Get closer to what you want to see
- Make what you want to see larger
- Use a product that magnifies
2. INCREASE TASK ILLUMINATION
- Use gooseneck lamps, flashlights and illuminated magnifiers
- Task lamps will provide the needed light without causing glare
3. DECREASE GLARE
- Sun tints
- Fitovers
- Frames with sideshields
4. ENHANCE CONTRAST BETWEEN WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
- Do not use heavily decorated plates as food becomes difficult to identify
- Do not use clear glasses or dishes as they become invisible
5. MAKE SURE YOU ARE USING THE CORRECT MAGNIFICATION PRODUCTS AND PRODUCT POWER FOR THE TASK
- Not all magnifiers are the same
- Have your eye doctor prescribe the correct magnifier, eyeglasses or telescope for reading or for a specific task
6. LEARN TO USE YOUR MAGNIFICATION PRODUCTS CORRECTLY
- Practice and Patience
- Always Use the Proper Lighting
To read the entire article please visit ViewFinder Low Vision Resource Center here
Low Vision Center | Low Vision Rehabilitation | Driving Despite Visual Impairment | Downloadable Tools
Reading Magnifier, Magnifying Glass, Difficulty Reading
Personal Reading Machines
A video magnifier or personal reading machine is a form improving one's vision for reading many different applications. A camera is directed at an object and the image is projected on a television or a computer monitor.
Video magnifiers come in portable and desktop models and are the easiest low vision aid to use when a person needs greater than 3X magnification. A visually impaired person can read, look at recipes, do paper work, look at pictures, cut their finger nails, knit, and perform many tasks easily with this low vision aid. Some video magnifiers have movable cameras that allow a person to see near objects and can also be used to see the television, board in the school room and other distance tasks.
Advantages of Video Magnifiers
- Magnification up to 84X. Standard eye glasses magnify up to +2.50 to +3.50 diopters, this is less than 1X power. Special low vision glasses and optical magnifiers magnify up to 20X (+80 diopters).
- Allows sufficient reading speed to make continuous text meaningful at high levels of magnification.
- Image polarity can be reversed increasing contrast and decreasing glare.
- Easily and instantly converts any material to large print.
- Very easy to use, even by the elderly.
- Good working distance—a person can read with a great deal of magnification and still be at a comfortable distance from the reading material.
- Good posture—a person can sit comfortably in front of high-quality images.
If you live in Arizona, Las Vegas, or New Mexico and would like to have an in-home demonstration of our large selection of Personal Reading Machines (Closed Circuit Televisions), please click here to schedule an appointment.
