A macular degeneration diagnosis doesn’t mean you’ll lose your independence or have to give up hobbies like reading. A macular condition or low vision can be treated with magnifiers. In fact, a range of “low vision aids” can help you get the most out of your sight. Magnifiers can be used on multiple devices to help you see better, even if your vision starts to deteriorate.
Magnifiers won’t damage your eyes, but you may feel your eyes get tired if you’re using them constantly. If so, there are ways to use magnifiers for your low vision that won’t negatively impact your quality of life and help make you and your eyes feel better.
What Are Magnification Devices?
There are many types of magnification devices, depending on what you’re looking for. There are electronic magnifying systems, portable digital magnifiers, and more.
Electronic magnifying system. These types of devices come in different sizes and styles. The type will depend on what you need them for. They’re also called CCTV and require you to be stationary. These magnification devices use a camera system to display a magnified image on a monitor. This is great for reading books, and magazines, applying makeup, shaving your face, and other activities.
Portable digital magnifiers. These types of magnifiers are a subset of the electronic magnifying system. You can take these magnifiers with you to most places. Whether you need a portable device or a stationary device depends on your eye condition and everyday living needs.
Benefits of portable digital magnifiers include not straining your eyes as other strong magnifiers do. They can also be used with both eyes at high magnification. They provide a wide field of view as well. The negatives of these devices include a higher cost than magnifying reading glasses or other magnifiers. The device may also be difficult to hold for long periods.
How Does Magnification Work?
Magnification devices use a lens to increase the image size of whatever you’re looking at. Magnification works with a single lens like a handheld magnifier or multiple lenses like a telescopic monocular.
What Are Low-Vision Magnifiers?
Before getting a low-vision magnifier, you’ll be examined by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. They’ll be able to talk to you about the right options for low-vision magnifiers that can help you with your reading and writing. Some clinics will let you look at different magnification devices before buying one.
Low-vision magnifiers are great for use with your current desktop or laptop if the font is too small. The magnifier makes hard-to-read fonts larger, so you don’t have to strain your eyes to read them. There are many resources like low-cost computing for blind or visually impaired people. You can also check with local agencies to see if they provide low vision services and training.
What Is the Best Magnifier for Visually Impaired?
The right magnifier for you depends on your specific needs. There are multiple types of magnifiers that are designed for different needs.
Binoculars and monoculars. These types of magnifiers are best for people with low vision. They’re specially designed to be smaller and lighter than other magnifiers. Monoculars are used for one eye, and binoculars are used for both eyes. These magnifiers are great for reading bus numbers, signs, and other numbers in the distance.
Handheld magnifiers. This is the most common magnifier. This magnifier is typically a single lens that’s held away from the object you’re looking at. It has a handle and can come with built-in lighting. It is pocket-sized and can have a range of magnification.
Flatfield magnifiers. These are bar or dome magnifiers. They can look like paperweights or shaped rulers. The magnifier lays flat on the page, and you can slide it across from what you’re reading. The bar magnifier only enlarges one way, making the text taller but not more comprehensive.
Round-the-neck magnifiers. These magnifiers are great for hobbies where you need your hands free. They only come in low magnification levels, so they won’t work well for more advanced macular diseases.
The best type of magnifier for you will depend on your level of vision, the size of the task that you need the magnifier for, the kind of task you’re doing, how long you’ll need to use the magnifier, and whether you’re looking at something near or at a distance.
How to Use a Magnifier
To use a magnifier for low vision, start with the lens close to your eye. Don’t start with the lens at arm’s length. Once the lens is close to your eye, start moving the lens toward an object until it is in focus, or vice versa.
This method gives you a wider field of view and lets you see more words at one time. If text appears to be upside down when you are looking at it through the magnifier, the distance between the object and the magnifier is too great.
If you’re using a handheld or stand magnifier, you’ll want to keep your movements slow. This saves you from getting lost on the page or screen.
Looking from the center of the lens provides the most precise image. Make sure you aren’t reading across the lens and instead move the magnifier as you read. If you read across the lens, that will distort the image.
The “Steady Eye Strategy” is best for using a magnifier. When you find your best viewing position, you keep your head, eyes, and magnifier still while you move the object of your focus.
