Low Vision
Finding a Low Vision Specialist
There are a number of resources available to find a low vision specialist.
The American Optometric Association has a Low Vision Section. Membership in this group does not ensure that the doctor is a full-time low vision practitioner, but it does indicate that he or she is particularly interested in this field and presumably is keeping up-to-date with current developments.
Another source might be your current eye doctor. He or she should know of some of the better people locally involved in low vision care. You might also have a local optometric or medical society that may be contacted for such referrals. Just be sure to note that you are looking specifically for low vision help, not just a general eye evaluation.
The American Federation for the Blind maintains a directory of U.S. low vision clinics. Call 1-800-AFB-LIND or visit www.afb.org for the list. State Vocational Rehabilitation offices or Blind Services Divisions can also help locate low vision clinics, and may even help find sources to help pay for low vision aids.
When you do locate a low vision doctor, don't hesitate to ask him about his background in low vision and if he does indeed specialize in this area. Ask what you can expect from a visit and don't be shy about also inquiring about fees.
Remember that low vision care is different from general eye care or retinal care and must be provided by a doctor skilled in vision rehabilitation.
Currently, Medicare does not cover vision rehabilitation services, which is a problem for many elderly people without disposable income. Some health insurance plans do provide limited coverage of low vision devices and services. Check with your insurance company to see if yours is one of them.
Low Vision Aids for Computer Users
Vision impairment or even blindness should not (by itself) prevent someone from using a computer. Choosing the right assistive technology devices will depend on the type and extent of the vision impairment.
Screen magnification products enlarge text and pictures to a standard range of sizes more easily viewed by a person with limited vision. Although free standing magnifiers that attach to the computer monitor can be purchased, the most versatile technologies are software programs with features that allow for magnification of the full screen, parts of the screen or provide a magnifying glass view of the area around the cursor or pointer. These programs typically allow for changing the background and text colors in order to provide better contrast to maximize existing vision. Many of the commercially available screen magnification programs also offer speech output so the user can hear - as well as see - the text, menu items and message boxes.
A different approach to computer access is necessary when there is an absence of functional vision. 
These technologies rely on hearing and touch to compensate for the loss of sight. Screen reader programs convert text into speech so that the screen contents are spoken to the user. Screen reader programs designed for persons who are blind also provide navigational features so that the user can identify the location of the cursor on the screen. Proficient Braille users can utilize a refreshable Braille Display in conjunction with the screen reader program. These devices connect to the computer by a serial cable and produce a dynamic Braille display that changes with each new line of text.
Another type of assistive technology product beneficial to persons with vision loss is Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Software. OCR allows external documents such as newspaper articles, recipes, bills etc, to be scanned into the computer and the text electronically stored. It can then be edited and used by screen magnification and/or screen reader programs. Let's take the recipe as an example. Your neighbor tells you about an enticing recipe for brownies that she cut out of a magazine. OCR software allows you to scan it into your computer; the screen magnification program then enlarges to a size you can comfortably read and even edit.
Lastly, keyboards can be enhanced to provide higher contrast lettering for better visibility and less eyestrain caused by peering at your keyboard, even in low light conditions. The letters, symbols, and numbers are 43 percent larger than those on a standard keyboard, so you can see them better and more comfortably.
Low Vision Outside the Home
One of the most frustrating aspects of low vision is a feeling of being isolated from the rest of the world because you're not able to function outside the home as well as others.
However, there are aids available that can make life outside the home a welcome experience.
Some people with low vision find a white cane to be very helpful, not just for getting around, but also for identifying to others that they have a visual impairment that may not otherwise be obvious. There are different varieties of white canes to suit the needs of different users, including collapsible travel canes, white support canes, and long travel canes. While some people are not comfortable using a white cane, most realize that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and use the white cane as a mobility tool and identifier.
Telescopes can be used to identify street signs and addresses. Some people who are blind or visually impaired will be more open to the idea of independent travel than others. If you're a caregiver, you should be sensitive to the wishes of the person receiving care. You may find that after a period of adjustment, the person has come to terms with vision loss and is now more willing to run errands without your help.
Magnifiers are among the most useful low-vision aids and come in pocket-size, stand-mounted, handheld, and illuminated models. Many people with low vision find that they need a few different magnifiers ? one for fine detail tasks, one for watching television, and one for reading street signs (like a telescopic device that makes distant objects appear closer). Magnification technology is constantly being updated, and new products continually appear on the market.
Changing one's lifestyle is difficult and requires flexibility and patience, from both the caregiver and the person receiving care.
Reading Devices for Low Vision
Many types of assistive devices are available to assist people with low vision. These items include special glasses and other magnification devices, and large print reading materials, shown above. Other communication aids include computer software and various other technological devices. These items include special glasses and other magnification devices, and large print reading materials,
Hand-held and stand magnifiers enlarge close-up images, allowing the user to see small print and images at greater distances from the user's eyes. There are many different styles and sizes of magnifiers useful for people with low vision. Microscopes help people see smaller details than magnifiers produce. Microscopes enlarge close up objects the same way telescopes enlarge far away objects. Some telescopes and bioptic telescopes, designed for distance vision, also allow the user to refocus the scope for up-close use.
A bioptic is a special pair of glasses with a telescope permanently mounted in the glasses' lens. While looking straight ahead, a bioptic user sees a normal, unmagnified image through the glasses. Then by dipping one's head slightly, the bioptic user instantly sees a magnified image through the telescope. This "bi-optical" system allows the user to rapidly switch between a normal view and a magnified view without ever using his or her hands
When traditional optical low vision aids don't help accomplish a task, electronic aids might help. Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems help people who need greater magnification than reading glasses, magnifiers, and microscopes provide. CCTV systems also allow the user to adjust the size, brightness, and contrast of the magnified image to best match the user's vision. The user can even read white letters on a black background to decrease glare. CCTV systems have historically been far more expensive and far less portable than other near vision aids.
Video magnifiers project printed material on a closed circuit television, or CCTV, monitor or regular television or computer screen; you can sit as close to the screen as necessary, and it can be adjusted for degree of magnification, brightness, contrast, and even color. Certain magnifiers have color or black-and-white settings, and allow you to view three-dimensional objects.
Some reading devices require a prescription from your eye care practitioner because they are custom-made for your particular needs. But consult your doctor before buying even nonprescription magnifiers, because he or she can tell you which low vision devices will work best for you, based on your activities and the lens power you require.
