A few weeks ago I dispensed a pair of Clear Image microscopic glasses to a lady who wanted to be able to read her newspaper. She has macular degeneration and has been unable to see well enough to read. The day she received the glasses she read her hometown newspaper easily. They worked very well in my office. I explained how the glasses are to be used, stressing that she hold her paper in the correct place and use proper lighting. I demonstrated both of these things to her and sent her home with written directions (large print).
Several days later she called to tell me that the glasses were not working. She could not read the paper. What happened? I asked a family member to take some photos of the lady attempting to read and text them to me. As I suspected, her paper was very poorly lighted. I could see how the light was on her shoulder but not on the paper. I called and discussed what I'd learned from the photos and explained to the lady and her family just how to light the reading material. Proper lighting makes all the difference. That solved the problem for her. She is able to read the paper again.
This lady has macular degeneration but I think there is a lesson here for all people with low vision.
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Good lighting is important. The light must be close and fully illuminate the task. Sometimes that is all that a person needs. No special low vision glasses. Just proper lighting.
The photo shows me reading under an Ott Lite. I think that they are the best. Ott Lite is natural daylight color, soft yet bright enough to do the job. I recommend them to all my low vision patients. #Stargardtsdisease #Ottlite
