low vision aids

low vision aids

Devices designed to help people with poor vision , read and see

Optical LV aids

Magnifiers - standing and hand held

Magnifying reading glasses

Reading bars , hands free magnifier

Telescopes

Non optical aids

Implants

Voice guided - talking kitchen scale, liquid indicator

Electronic

Lighting

Tactile markers

Large print keyboards

Why are there different type of LV aids

-different magnification needs, not everyone requires the same amount

-purpose of use, objects which need magnification may vary, reading newspaper, repairing a watch , watching tv , cooking , moving/static targets

-the px , what age are they? Any physical disability ? Cognitive decline ? What environment do they live in ?

-underlying causes of visual impairment , is it central vision loss due to AMD? Peripheral vision loss? Localised or general? Retinal vs elsewhere?

Stand magnifiers

Handheld magnifiers

Magnifying reading glasses

Reading bars, hands free magnifiers

Telescopes

Handheld telescopes

Video magnifiers

Example specs - video magnifiers

Describe video magnifiers

come in range of sizes (costs)

most designed to be portable

-not limited to provide magnification (optical aid) only

-some can be linked to projection hard and software

-can work with voice software providing audio assistance

-depending on the device used the use of a wise range of “apps” is supported

Who provides LV aids

Low vision service provision across the UK is highly variable and may be based in local hospital , located in opticians, or offered from resource centre run by local society for people with sight loss

What do good low vision services provide

Wide range of equipment including handheld magnifiers in variety of shapes and handles - including those with build in illumination and stand magnifies

-can also establish which low vision aid are best suited for the px I.e non optical aids such as large buttoned telephones, talking watches, liquid level indicators to help increase and maintain px independence

LV aids and costs

Provided free of charge to px, but this is only dome so through dedicated LV clinics in HES and not though optometry practices

-however px may want to purchase LV outside of HES e.g those not on the register

What is the purpose of optical low vision aids

Depending on the type of optical LV aid they have the purpose to provide or enhance :

-magnification

-contrast

-colour

-“brightness”

-optical LV aids are designed to assist those with sight impairment to improve their visual performance they are mkt capable to “restore” vision

Magnification image

Positive lenses - thin lenses ray tracing

Object and image position - positive lens