Finding the Ideal Low Vision Magnifier

To date there is no correction or treatment available that is able to restore vision loss as a result of eye disease or eye damage. Finding the right low vision magnifier designed to best utilize the remaining vision while supporting the function of visual task is often important. In order to determine the best low vision magnifier for your lifestyle, it is suggested to know and understand the visual aids and features available as well, the particular low vision needs of your own eye. As is standard with low vision, the visual assistance of traditional glasses and contacts are inadequate aids, requiring the use of a low vision magnifier to better see objects, images, and text. All low vision aids have one think in common, the goal to enhance vision, which is accomplished through features available in various low vision magnifiers.

Magnification:

Essential for every low vision magnifier, magnification must be a foundational feature. It is possible to a low vision magnifier to offer highly powerful magnification (I.e. 50 x magnified power and above). The smaller handheld magnifiers ought to be no exception to the magnification feature. It is optimal when magnified strength is available in multiple power settings.

Lighting:

Many low-vision causing conditions are a result of damage to the retina and to the light sensitive tissues in the eye. Due to the damage light sensitive areas, additional lighting is important. A low vision magnifier equipped with lighting features increase the eyes ability to use effectively the remaining vision.

Color and Contrast:

Sharp, clear images are compromised, and color perception may create increased visual challenge when viewing images with shadows or shades of color. With the ability to transition the image or text to black and white, contrast viewing assists with definition of images providing more clear and crisp detail.

Image Capture:

For a low vision magnifier with image capture, individuals are permitted to ‘snap shot’ the viewing screen and may view the image with the freedom of moving the magnifier from the text itself. This is useful when blurred spots or missing vision sports are present. Consider looking at a menu with a handheld low vision magnifier, you cannot see the items clearly (although magnified) as the information is presented in the location of the missing vision. Simply capture the image on the viewing screen and move the low vision magnifier to a location where your remaining vision can interpret the magnified, captured information.

Other tools available with select low vision magnifiers are; computer connectivity, camera flexibility, aim posture, adjustable monitor, and text display, which allows text to be displayed horizontal or vertical, ideal for utilizing peripheral vision.