Patients with low vision, either from childhood or developed later in life from Macular Degeneration or Glaucoma, have many options when it comes to finding an assistive device to help with daily activities. First, patients usually undergo Low Vision Rehabilitation where they can learn how to use their remaining vision with their daily activities. At that time they may be shown various devices that can help them maximize their vision.
Traditionally, patients may opt for a magnifying device, whether it is handheld or on a stand. Magnifiers usually work best when held directly on the page or object. Sometimes patients think that the larger the magnifier the better, but it is actually quite the opposite. Larger magnifiers have more distortion and don’t work as well as some of the smaller devices. This option may be best for those patients looking for a small portable device to carry in their pocket or purse for using while on the go, and may not be the best option for some avid readers or those with greater needs.
There are more advanced devices that use a computer to magnify the image or text and project it on a monitor in larger format. These can be very useful for patients, but tend to be on the more expensive end.
An alternative and less expensive device may be a tablet. It is lighter than a laptop and more portable for patients to carry around than a monitor and projector. You can adjust the brightness on the screen, enlarge the font size, use the voice interface, take photos of items and use the zoom function, and download applications to help with daily activities. These days there are many options on the market and it can be difficult to choose the right one. CNET lists the best tablets of 2014, with the top being the iPad Air, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Nexus (read more here). Another option for those people that just want a device for reading and like to read outside is an e-reader, such as the original Amazon Kindle and Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (has a built in light). You can visit a Best Buy, Apple Store, Office supply store (Office Depot, Office Max, or Staples), Nebraska Furniture Mart or Barnes & Noble to look at some of these devices and try them out before you buy.
There are also many applications available to patients with low vision that can helpful to download and use on these tablets. EyeSmart lists some of them on their website in this article (also seen below).
Both Apple- and Android-based smartphones and tablets offer a range of apps and built-in functions to help people with low vision: Magnify. iRead, iLoupe, and Magnify use your device’s camera and light source to magnify and illuminate text. While these apps won’t match the power of a CCTV, they’re portable, less-expensive alternatives for those who need some level of magnification. Browse your Apple or Android app store for pricing and availability. Smart money. EyeNote is a free app available for Apple products that scans and identifies the denomination of U.S. paper money by reading aloud or emitting an ascending number of beeps or pulsed vibrations for each bill. SightBook. This free app digitally communicates your vision changes to your ophthalmologist by measuring your visual function with a set of near vision tests. Significant changes in vision are recorded and then sent wirelessly to your doctor. The app is free and available on iTunes. Visit www.digisight.net for more information to share with your Eye M.D. MapQuest. Available for Apple and Android phones, the MapQuest app provides voice-guided directions and tells the driver when to turn. If you make a wrong turn, MapQuest will re-route you automatically. Voice interface. Siri, the voice recognition system on the iPhone 4S, can be a helpful low-vision aid as it allows the user to check the weather, email, or their calendar without having to visually navigate a series of icons. Android-based phones also have voice-recognition capability allowing the user to dictate texts or emails without having to type.If you are looking for help or know someone who would benefit from low vision rehabilitation, please contact us at 913.341.3100. We offer Low Vision Services and also refer patients with greater needs to Alphapoint for occupational therapy. It is always best to consult a medical professional first before purchasing any medical devices, so you can make sure you are getting the right one that fits your needs and your lifestyle.