WHAT IS LOW VISION?
The majority of us who have blurred vision simply correct this by wearing spectacles or contact lenses. However, when a person has reduced vision in both eyes which cannot be improved with conventional spectacles or contact lenses, they may be described as having sight loss or low vision. The degree of low vision will vary between individuals and will depend upon the underlying cause or condition. Although some individuals may be born with poor sight, the vast majority have low vision as a result of a condition or disease that they have acquired in later life. A patient who has low vision may also be described as being Visually Impaired, particularly if the level of sight loss affects them in their work or daily lives.
My personalised low vision service operates in several locations in the Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Lincolnshire and surrounding area. I provide a comprehensive assessment of the specific needs of visually impaired clients of all age groups, and offer a full range of low vision devices, and electronic vision enhancement systems at reasonable prices.
In addition, I am able to offer helpful hints and tips on how best to use magnification, contrast and colour, thereby getting the most out of your low vision aid.
If you or a family member would benefit from a formal low vision assessment of sight loss, please feel free to Contact me directly for further details.
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WHY DO I NEED AN ASSESSMENT?
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Magnifiers can be bought over the counter, however, many magnifiers need to be used in a specific way. In an assessment many people bring the magnifiers which they find of no use. Sometimes they can be made useful, when the correct technique for using them is applied.
My experience of working with many patients who have low vision issues, helps me to recommend the best magnifier for each specific use.
Each individual has their own requirements and their own set of visual problems.
There is not a 'one size fits all' solution.
I take the time to find which aid will be useful for each task, more than one aid is often required.
An assessment is the best way to achieve a solution which most benefits each individual for their specific needs.
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WHAT IS AVAILABLE?
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Hand Magnifiers
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Hand magnifiers give the advantage of portability. They tend to be light in weight and may be used with either distance or near spectacles, or without spectacles altogether. Most people have used them at some time or another, but getting the most out of the magnifier takes a little time to master.
There are a vast number of hand magnifiers currently on the market and choosing the right one may be daunting. Poor quality magnifiers will distort the image, resulting in frustration. They may also scratch easily and offer little improvement.
The magnifiers I supply have superb optics, giving excellent clarity, often with an inbuilt light source for better comfort and ease of use.
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Stand Magnifiers
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This type of magnifier sits directly over the print or page. Many patients suffer from hand tremor and this type of aid will help to keep things steady. They may not be as portable as hand magnifiers but they do offer an excellent quality image and many users go on to use them to read books and magazines.
Many of the stand magnifiers that I have sourced for my clinics offer integral lighting and are either battery powered or are charged up from the mains before use. Most of these magnifiers now use the more efficient LED light which last longer and give a better light.
It is important to know which spectacles to use with this type of magnifier. Not all stand magnifiers may be used with reading spectacles and many can be used with distance spectacles. The range of magnification is high, offering patients with even severe sight loss assistance for simple tasks.
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Spectacle Magnifiers
Can I have stronger glasses?
By far the most common question I am asked is whether or not I can offer 'stronger glasses.' I can, but wish it was that simple! Most people who have suffered a loss of sight in later life will have been used to reading a book or paper on their lap. Although I can indeed offer stronger glasses, the main compromise is that patients will need to bring the book in much closer than before.
Spectacle magnifiers are available in many different forms, from half eye spectacles to bifocals and clip-ons. The advatage of this type of magnifer is to offer hands free reading.
When the technique of holding the book or paper closer has been mastered, many patients prefer this type of magnification when sitting in their favourite chair at home.
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Near Telescopes
I don't want to hold it quite that close?
Whilst spectacle magnifiers give the advantage of hands free reading, several patients have reported that they dislike the closer working distance. Near telescopic aids, which are mounted onto the patients own spectacles are an alternative method of hands free reading but without the shorter working distance.
There are several products on the market. Some telescopes simply clip over the patient's current spectacles, or there are binoculars and monoular (single) units which are worn like spectacles. I have a wide range of units for both distance and near viewing.
Many low vision practitioners do not prescribe telescopes, however I have seen the huge benefit that they can bring many patients and therefore offer a full range of devices and offer advice on training.
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Distance Telescopes.
When travelling by train to work to find the right platform? Taking the bus or on a school trip; in the classroom, watching birds in the garden and to see a football match, all of these tasks can be made more comfortable by using a telescope.
Very often encouragement may be required to use an aid in a public environment.
They are easier to use than you think!
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Electronic Vision Enhancement
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There has been a great boom in this side of the industry in recent years, and this has been great news, particularly for those patients who need to make things bolder along with brighter and bigger. Electronic vision enhancement systems, EVES, are now more functional, more portable and certainly more affordable than ever before. EVES may used in the classroom, at work, at home and also out and about. I have stocked a small range of some of the best currently on the market but as always need to keep in touch with what is emerging. Technology changes oh so quickly! I think that there is something there for everyone.