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.
