Low Vision Devices

Low Vision patients are people who have lost portions of their sight due to trauma or pathology in the eye and cannot achieve normal functional vision with standard spectacles. Some of the most common reasons for low vision are Age related macular degeneration, Retinal detachments, Diabetes and various retinal diseases.  

To aid their vision a large range of quality low vision devices can be used to enhance and  improve functional vision. Assessment of  your specific needs ensures that the best visual aid is prescribed for you.

Low Vision devices can include, but are not limited to:

High powered reading lenses

High powered reading lenses can be beneficial as it allows the patient to hold the reading material as close as possible to the eye creating natural magnification to enhance reading and near task activities.  In many cases prism is added to the lenses to assist the two eyes working together at such a near distance.

Magnifiers

Various magnification strengths are available.  Magnifiers can be hand held, stand based or hung around the neck depending on the need of the patient.  Many models also come with build in lighting to enhance the near vision contrast.

Loops and microscopes

Special loops and microscopes can be build into standard spectacle lenses to enhance distance or near sight.

Clip on magnifiers

Various strength clip on magnifiers can be added to standard spectacle lenses to provide 2x to 3x magnification.

Electronic devices

Various electronic devices are available to enlarge near work.  They either have build in screens or can be connected to a standard TV or computer monitor.  Many of them also have settings to invert colours allowing for better contrast ratios.

Advice and Support groups

Losing vision is always a traumatic experience.  Dealing with the situation is very demoralising and frustrating and a lot of people start to loose hope and self worth. To assist people in this difficult time various support groups are available to provide moral and practical support.  Please feel free to contact us should you wish to attend such a group.

We can also access the home environment of our low vision patients and make certain recommendations on how to improve functionality and quality of living in their homes.

Written by :

Charl Laas