The Unofficial Guide to Low Vision Services
By Ley, Eileen Rivera; Voice of the Diabetic, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 9-11Publication Date: Spring 2007
Article discusses resources available for people with low vision. Low vision is defined as a corrected visual acuity ranging from 20/70 to 20/200. The article advises that evaluating a person’s functional vision is a more practical option than gauging visual acuity, as conditions such as visual field loss and blind spots can greatly interfere with reading in persons not diagnosed with low vision. Optometrists, some of whom have extra training in treating low vision, are identified as the providers of low-vision services. The optometrist may recommend more than one reading device, as they tend to be task-specific. Factors to consider in choosing a device include cost, ease of use and, in the case of progressive vision loss, the length of time the device would be useful. Low-vision tools described include (1) optical devices such as reading glasses, magnifiers, telescopic lenses, close-circuit televisions (CCTVs), and computer magnification software; (2) non-optical devices such as felt-tip markers, large checkbooks, jumbo-print playing cards, and large-print books; and (3) non-visual devices such as talking watches, thermometers and blood-glucose meters, books on tape, and computer screen readers.
Published by: National Federation of the Blind (Website:http://www.nfb.org)
Diabetes Action Network (Web Site: http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Diabetics.asp )
Link to text: http://www.nfb.org/Images/nfb/Publications/vod/vod216/vodspr0705.htm
