VISUAL AIDS

In this section, we will show you pictures of some of the visual aids that are currently available. The picture quality is not the best in the world, but at least you can get an idea of the size of these devices as well as their general physical styles. Along with the pictures, we have included some text for each device to help you to better understand what it does best and its other important properties.

This picture shows eleven different visual aids side by side so that you can compare them by size. The size and design of each device is as unique as its intended benefit, natural limitations, and cost. No visual aid that I am aware of is best suited for all situations or conditions.

The first visual aids we will discuss is a regular pair of binoculars. It might seem trivial to people with good eyesight, but this device helps people with low vision to see things from a distance that others could see without it. It could be used for watching birds and looking at scenery on trips. It will not help to read small print nor would it be useful for most everyday duties.

Pictured here is a colllection of assorted styles of magnifiers. The lower power magnifiers can be used to read material that is just a bit too hard to read without an aid. The higher power devices come in handy for reading from the dictionary or phone book. The one problem with all of these devices pictured is that they require the use of one hand to hold them. You cannot hold a book and turn the page while holding a visual aid in place all at the same time.

One device not in this picture (but is in the picture of all devices together, (bottom righthand corner) is the flat page magnifier. These may come with a stand. It is very useful for placing over the page of a book and being able to read without holding the magnifier in place or having to move the magnifier back and forth as you read.

Pictured here is a colllection of assorted loupes, often called Jewelers loupes because they are commonly used in fine jewelery work. These are available in a range of sizes, styles, and magnification powers. Some of these have multiple lens sections that can be combined to allow many magnification powers from the same device, such as the square white loupe in this picture.

Loupes are more useful for reading minimal amounts of material at a time because of the small lens size. For example, you would use a loupe to read your favorite recipe rather than reading the whole newspaper. Some people use loupes for reading thermometers, dial settings (on stoves, washing machines, etc), and have a CCTV (see below) for reading books or other printed material.

The Beecher Mirage was one of the first visual aids available that was worn like a pair of glasses. They are still available today from low vision centers. It is said to be similar to opera glasses in power and style. The device is just like a pair of binoculars, except that it mounts on a headband for handsfree usage. This device can be useful for watching TV and movies. The front lens is higher than eye level, which allows you to see your regular view around the small eyepieces where the magnified view appears. Reading caps can be obtained for the Mirage that slip on the front lens and allow for reading instead of distance viewing.

A spotting scope is a monocular (for one eye) device which offers up to 50x power magnification. It is the largest and heaviest visual aid that is covered here, but it also offers over three times the magnification of the second best pair of binoculars here. It would be useful for distance viewing such as bird or wildlife watching or looking at scenery.

Here are two other binoculars which are smaller than what we have discussed above. They offer easier portability and can be used while traveling to read street or business names.

This monocular mounts to glasses (either prescription or clear) and can flip up out of the view with the motion of one hand. Because it mounts to glasses, it offers hands free usage. It is also very light and does not cause much added pressure to the nose in extended wearing.

This is another view of the device mentioned above. One very nice feature of this device is that it allows one hand focus ability, which will also quickly adjust between distance and close (reading distance) viewing. It closely matches the Mirage mentioned above, but is much lighter and less obstructive in the normal view.

This is a CCTV (closed circuit TV) device made to magnify text and objects. There is a camera which points toward a section of the movable tray. The picture on the monitor can be controlled with a few adjustment knobs for focus, magnification, contrast, and even some line reading guides. The device can greatly enlarge small print and will also allow visually impaired people to trim their own fingernails and other difficult tasks. Almost anything which can be placed between the camera and the tray can be greatly magnified with this device. In this picture, the screen shows the lowest magnification setting while viewing dictionary print. This shows 20 lines and 53 characters from this dictionary.

In this picture, the screen shows the highest magnification setting of the CCTV above while viewing the same dictionary print. It shows 3 lines and 7 characters with this setting. For reference, the measurements of a standard character in this dictionary is 1/16" wide. The character was 1/4" wide on the screen at lowest magnification and 3/2" at the highest magnification. This means the magnification power of the device is 4 to 24 times the size of the original object.

Newer CCTV devices usually feature a larger flat screen which is less bulky than the old style monitors. Pictured here is an Acrobat LCD with a flat panel monitor and the camera mounted on a moveable arm to provide for viewing of objects at different angles or places.

Some of the modern units allow for close or distant object magnification. The device pictured here can enlarge text on material using the reading mode, help with personal grooming with the mirror mode, and zoom in on the stage during a presentation with the distance mode.

These units allow for a wide range of magnification levels as well as different color or video modes.

It is possible to take these units with you when you travel, but they have to be plugged in to an outlet while in use (they do not use batteries). Some of these come with a travel case or you may be able to purchase a case as an option. The case is about the size of a suitcase and many have wheels so you do not have to carry the device.

Those seeking more portable devices now have a variety of "Video Magnifiers" to choose from. These compact hand held devices have an LCD screen on top with a camera underneath. You simply position the device over the material you want to enlarge and view it on the screen. Unlike the desktop devices described above, these require that the material is very close to the camera. They are not for distance viewing. Pictured here is a Pebble video magnifier.

These units usually have a few levels of magnification and some different color or video modes. Some units can capture (freeze) an image on the screen, which is handy for viewing items away from you, such as on the top or bottom shelf at a store.

The benefit of the video magnifiers is that they are lightweight and operate on batteries (usually rechargeable batteries come with the unit). They do a wonderful job of enlarging price tags or product labels at the store. These can also be used to help write checks or fill out forms, some units include a stand to provide a hands free operation.

Another option for portable use is the Jordy, which is pictured here. The Jordy is a light weight head gear visor, worn much like a hat. This provides for a hands free operation.

The Jordy visor has two small LCD screens (one for each eye) and a camera that points forward. While wearing the device the screens show images just like you are looking at them in normal situations. This offers a more "natural" feel over the effect provided by desktop magnifiers.

The unit is controlled by a seperate box, which can clip onto a belt or pocket. Using this you can adjust the level of magnification, color modes, and other settings. The small rechargeable battery pack attaches to the control box.

The Jordy provides for either close or distance viewing. With the reading lens closed you can view material from about a foot away. Without the reading lens you can view distant objects, much as like with binoculars. Although this allows you to view distant objects better, it is NOT recommended for walking or driving (any activity where you are in motion) due to the much smaller "field of view" which restricts the abiltiy to safely navigate around objects.

While the Jordy's main benefit is its head worn use, there is an optional Stand for the visor which allows it to operate much like a desktop style magnifier. The Jordy can also be connected to a television or any device which has video inputs.

There are many more visual aids available. This is just a sampling so that you can get an idea of what each type might look like and the tasks they would most likely be useful for.