Low vision aids are available to improve the vision while watching objects located at a nearby location. There are generally four different kinds of low vision aids: magnifiers, reading machines, computer assisted technologies and talking appliances. With the development of technology, these low vision aids are being improved and updated all the time, ensuring better vision and more comfort. These low vision aids are generally used by patients suffering from hyperopia, which may arise due to eye diseases, glaucoma and various other eye-related illnesses.
The range of available magnifiers include from hand-held units to systems which magnify videos. The amount of magnification varies hugely too, from 20 to 80 times the current size. The low vision aids such as glasses, magnifiers are portable and light-weight which can help you to read menus, directions and more.
For example, video magnification systems take the help of a scanner to amplify the text size. The enlarged video is then projected on a screen from which the user can read. To move the magnification screen across the materials, a computer mouse or keyboard is used. This kind of magnification, obviously, works in a home setup, where the user has a lot of space he can use and the time too. To read, books, newspapers and magazines, this option is hugely beneficial. To get a more sonic feel, a patient can use reading machines which can translate text into audio files. The documents which need to be read are placed in a scanner and the machine reads the text and creates a sound file which can be again played on an MP3 player. There are few disadvantages though: every page needs to be scanned and you can’t select pieces out of the text to read or hear.
Computer assisted technologies include alarm clocks that announce the time, memory disks that allow the user to record and replay a short message, and sensors for cups and plates to indicate temperature and liquid level. All these tools use computer chips and electronics to provide the service required. There are other computer enabled equipments too which can help the patients with low vision including talking watches, voice activated key finders, voice activated wheelchairs and modified chair lifts.
Finally, one of the options which are on high end of cost is the home management system where the system acts like a personal assistant. After the system is setup, once the user enters the house, all the necessary information is played to him/her by the system. The user can also use voice commands to prompt different actions, including turning on/off the lights.
