"Damn! I can read with that!"

A ninety year old lady who'd been referred by her ophthalmologist came for her low vision evaluation today.  She has both glaucoma and macular degeneration.  The vision in her right eye is almost completely gone.  With the left she sees only 20/160 with her glasses.  For the past 3 months she has not seen well enough to read.  Her caregiver has been reading to her.  All she wanted help with is to be able to read.  She brought two large print Danielle Steel novels with her hoping that I'd be able to prescribe some low vision glasses and she'd be able to read them.

Because of some physical limitations resulting from Parkinson's Disease she was unable to use the glasses and hand magnifiers that I tested her with.  I then demonstrated a desktop electronic magnifier.  That device allowed her to look straight ahead at the screen while her novel lay on a flat surface below.  She did not have to hold the book or lower her head.  Without hesitation she began reading. 

I asked her what she thought about the device and she responded "Damn!  I can read with that."

There are a lot of ways to help people who have lost some of their vision.  I prefer to prescribe low vision glasses because they allow the person to have both hands free to hold a book or sign a check.  They can be carried easily allowing them to be used anywhere you go.  Sometimes a hand magnifier works better and sometimes, like this lady, a desktop electronic magnifier is the best thing.

A low vision optometrist like myself is aware of the many possibilities and by evaluating the remaining vision and the person's goals can recommend the appropriate help.  If you'd like to talk with me about your vision problem please call me toll free 1 866 321-2030.  There is no charge for the call or the telephone consultation.  I'll be happy to speak with you and tell you if I can help.

"Magnification? How much do I need? What's best for me?"

   I always ask my low vision patients to bring their glasses and magnifiers with them to the low vision evaluation.  I want to see what they have been using and how much it helps them.  What I have learned is that there are a lot of poor quality magnifiers out there and the average person has no way of telling the good from the bad.  Usually, they arrive with magnifiers that they bought at the drug store or some big box store and the lens is very poor quality.  Often the magnification is not nearly enough to help the person.  Sometimes they have way too much magnification.  No wonder they don't get the help they need from the magnifiers.
   Recently a man came for his low vision evaluation who had a brand new electronic magnifier.  He'd bought it on line for $200.  He had not even tried it yet.  It was brand new.  Electronic magnification seemed appropriate for him so I showed him a device that I have found to be the best choice for many of my patients.  It has a bigger screen, clearer picture and more features than his on line purchase.  He immediately saw the difference and purchased the one that I recommended.  He planned to give the on line magnifier to a friend because now he has one that suited his needs better.
   I tell this story to illustrate the importance of being evaluated by a low vision optometrist.  Let someone who understands the various types of magnification and what is appropriate for your problem help you.  When you have a vision loss from macular degeneration or some other eye disease you need the best help that you can get.  Ordering on line or buying a magnifier at the store is taking a shot in the dark.  Your chance of getting what will serve you best is very slight. Give me a call for a free telephone consultation.  I will tell you if I can help you and when I've evaluated your vision I will recommend what is best for your needs.  Call me toll free 1 866 321-2030.  For more information go to www.VirginiaLowVision.com 

Electronic Magnifiers

In my low vision practice I try to prescribe low vision devices that are convenient for people to use. If possible I prescribe magnification in eye glasses so the person will be able to have both hands free for writing, holding a book, etc. Both telescopic lenses for distance vision and microscopic lenses for reading can be mounted in eye glass frames. That allows the person to easily take them along when shopping, driving, at church or the theater or for other activities.

Many people benefit from video magnifiers (reading machines) which project the pages of a book or paper onto a screen like a television set. These machines are wonderful but are large and definately not portable.

New smaller electronic video magnifiers are now available which are easily carried in pocket or purse and provide more magnification than can be put into low vision reading glasses.

I have had experience in my practice with a new small video magnifier called a Pebble as well as a somewhat larger device, the Amigo. Both offer several different magnifications, various contrast and color options as well as the ablilty to take a temporary picture of something that you may want to study more closely. These easily used devices have proven helpful to several of my patients.

Depending upon the patient's level of vision loss, their needs and goals I often show them how the Pebble or Amigo might help them. While most of my patients do well with low vision glasses some find that these video devices meet their needs very nicely.