Whether you are choosing a vision aid for yourself or someone else it can be a difficult task. As you will learn, the severity of vision loss, what the vision aid is to be used for and the physical capabilities of the user must all be considered along with personal preference.
Choosing a vision aid is typically easier for those with less severe vision loss. There are many magnifying glasses, globes, domes etc on the market ranging from the very inexpensive to the expensive. Once vision loss becomes more severe, these devices can decrease in their usefulness or may not work for the user at all.
A popular but more expensive vision aid is the Video Magnifier. Video Magnifiers utilize a small video camera and an image is projected onto a TV or video screen. Since Video Magnifiers use a camera, they are capable of much, much higher powers of magnification than other types of devices making them beneficial to individuals with more severe vision loss. Video Magnifiers can also include several different options to accommodate a user’s needs such as changing the color of the print and background, mirror image, zoom, reading tables that move under the camera, foot controls and auto-focus. Because of their diversity, Video Magnifiers are enjoyed by people whose vision loss ranges from the less severe to the severe including many legally blind individuals who can see larger objects.
As with all devices, when choosing, take into account the user and their needs. How will they be using the vision aid? For reading only, some people prefer a vision aid that rests on top of the print. Others prefer a more versatile device that is held off the object being viewed that allows for the easier viewing of objects that may not be flat, performing tasks with their hands as well as reading. If the user will be performing tasks with their hands, they may prefer a device that supports itself so that their hands are free.
Also take into account the user’s ability. Some people, through injury, aging or illness, have lost some, most or all of their mobility. Will they be able to steadily hold the vision aid? Can they slide it across the page following the lines of words? Can they work the controls of an electronic device? Is the device going to be used in one primary location or does it need to be portable for travel, to use for shopping, reading menus etc? Will they need assistance using the device? The answers to these questions can be very important in choosing a vision aid since choosing a device that the user cannot operate or will not meet the user’s daily needs can be very frustrating for all.
What magnification does the user need? At some point, magnifying glasses and similar devices stop being powerful enough for some vision loss sufferers. At this point, a Video Magnifier is usually needed, but even Video Magnifiers have their limitation and some individuals reach a point where they simply cannot be helped. For help with magnification, please read our article on magnification, “What is Magnification” and print our “Sample Font Size” page to help determine what size font is needed.
As you can see, there can be many considerations when choosing a vision aid. For some the choices will be simple and for others, because of individual needs and preferences, the choice may be a little more complicated. For more information, please read our articles “What is Magnification” or feel free to contact Vaughn Engineering with any questions.
Written and published by Tony Vaughn June 17th 2012
Choosing a vision aid is typically easier for those with less severe vision loss. There are many magnifying glasses, globes, domes etc on the market ranging from the very inexpensive to the expensive. Once vision loss becomes more severe, these devices can decrease in their usefulness or may not work for the user at all.
A popular but more expensive vision aid is the Video Magnifier. Video Magnifiers utilize a small video camera and an image is projected onto a TV or video screen. Since Video Magnifiers use a camera, they are capable of much, much higher powers of magnification than other types of devices making them beneficial to individuals with more severe vision loss. Video Magnifiers can also include several different options to accommodate a user’s needs such as changing the color of the print and background, mirror image, zoom, reading tables that move under the camera, foot controls and auto-focus. Because of their diversity, Video Magnifiers are enjoyed by people whose vision loss ranges from the less severe to the severe including many legally blind individuals who can see larger objects.
As with all devices, when choosing, take into account the user and their needs. How will they be using the vision aid? For reading only, some people prefer a vision aid that rests on top of the print. Others prefer a more versatile device that is held off the object being viewed that allows for the easier viewing of objects that may not be flat, performing tasks with their hands as well as reading. If the user will be performing tasks with their hands, they may prefer a device that supports itself so that their hands are free.
Also take into account the user’s ability. Some people, through injury, aging or illness, have lost some, most or all of their mobility. Will they be able to steadily hold the vision aid? Can they slide it across the page following the lines of words? Can they work the controls of an electronic device? Is the device going to be used in one primary location or does it need to be portable for travel, to use for shopping, reading menus etc? Will they need assistance using the device? The answers to these questions can be very important in choosing a vision aid since choosing a device that the user cannot operate or will not meet the user’s daily needs can be very frustrating for all.
What magnification does the user need? At some point, magnifying glasses and similar devices stop being powerful enough for some vision loss sufferers. At this point, a Video Magnifier is usually needed, but even Video Magnifiers have their limitation and some individuals reach a point where they simply cannot be helped. For help with magnification, please read our article on magnification, “What is Magnification” and print our “Sample Font Size” page to help determine what size font is needed.
As you can see, there can be many considerations when choosing a vision aid. For some the choices will be simple and for others, because of individual needs and preferences, the choice may be a little more complicated. For more information, please read our articles “What is Magnification” or feel free to contact Vaughn Engineering with any questions.
Written and published by Tony Vaughn June 17th 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment