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The Vision Council  >  Consumers   >   Eyewear Options   >   Low Vision Devices

Low Vision

Low vision devices are available to help patients maximize their remaining vision and develop strategies that will lead them to a more independent lifestyle. An eye doctor can help to develop a customized solution to fit the patient’s needs.

The following tools and devices are available to help those with low vision regain their independence:

Magnifiers and Adaptive Equipment
Magnifiers are available a variety of sizes and designs; some are hand-held; others are on a reading stand, while more portable styles hang around the neck. Magnifiers with illumination help to provide additional light and others with include digital magnification, allowing users to read print and view objects at a distance.

Closed-circuit TVs (CCTV)
Also called video magnifiers, closed-circuit TVs (CCTVs) consist of a monitor and video camera. When reading material is positioned under the camera, the unit’s zoom lenses offer variable magnification and allow the user to enlarge and position the image on the movable table until the print is big enough to read on the monitor. The user can also adjust contrast, brightness and color.

Telescopic Eyewear
Telescopes can be designed to help at a variety of distances. They can be monocular (for one eye) or binocular (for both eyes). Some are hand-held, while many designs feature the telescopes mounted onto eyeglasses. Among the newest advances are head-worn systems for distance viewing that come with a portable control unit and battery pack.

Independent Living Aids
Non-optical aids can make a big difference in peoples’ lives. Most are not expensive and include such items as large print or talking clocks, phones and TV tuners, color-coded organizers and containers and check-writing and signature guides.

Special Prescription Eyeglasses
Low vision-specific eyeglasses can be designed for far, intermediate or near distances. Options include optical systems for reading and other close-up, mirrors and reading prisms, devices that can help move images to areas of the eye that have the best vision. New technology allows some lenses to be surprisingly thin.

Glare-control Lenses and Filters
Lenses for eyeglasses can carry tints that will help cut glare and/or the blue portion of the visible spectrum of light. Options for glare control include photochromic lenses (changeable lenses that lighten indoors and darken outdoors), clip-on sun lenses or larger sunglasses that actually fit over everyday eyeglasses and often include side shields to maximize coverage. Anti-reflective lenses can also eliminate reflections, especially important when in a car at night

The Vision Council’s guide, Low Vision Solutions (pdf), will help you learn more about low vision devices.