Posted on Mar.04, 2013, by Enhanced Vision, under Educational, Living With Low Vision
TV Glasses – Distance Magnifiers
Just as there are magnifiers for close-up activities like reading, needlework, or wood carving, so are there magnifiers for distance activities like watching TV, going to the movies, or attending a sporting event.
Color and Clarity
Not surprisingly the most common pastime activity for those with macular degeneration is watching news, sports or movies on one’s television. Fortunately, today’s TV’s have technology that greatly benefits those with vision loss, such has high definition with it’s vivid colors and distinct clarity.
Size
Another feature that is widely available today that wasn’t just a few years ago is a large screen TV. Technology has come along way from the days of our first TV which was black and white with a 12” screen. We recently had a conversation with our friend Rick whose father has macular degeneration and he told us his dad just got a 60” TV and is loving it.
TV Glasses
A 60” TV screen may not be a practical option for you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find another way to enjoy television. We recently purchased TV glasses for my 85 year old father-in-law who has wet macular degeneration in one eye and dry in the other. He has a high def 42” screen TV. Normally, he would bring his chair right up close to the screen, but with the new glasses he can sit on the couch and see fine print like football scores and he can even see the temperature and time that’s really small on the bottom of the screen. The glasses magnify 2.1x and offer a wide field of vision – which is useful since peripheral vision is better than one’s central vision with macular degeneration. The first time he put them on, he was totally impressed. It was fun to hear him say things like, “Wow,” and “The screen is so clear and crisp.”
After using them for several days, I asked him, “Would you recommend these glasses to others with macular degeneration?” He stated “Oh, yes definitely.”
The glasses are lightweight and can be worn for long periods of time comfortably. Take them with you when you are traveling or going to someone else’s house to watch the Super Bowl or any other TV program.
Of course since these are distance glasses they can be used for other activities besides TV. Watch your grandchild play baseball or enjoy going to the movies again. Wear them at the theater or at any sporting event. Find out how affordable these glasses are and how they can benefit you:
TV Glasses – Distance Magnifiers
Leslie Degner, RN, BSN
www.WebRN-MacularDegeneration.com