Tag Archives: magnifier

Portable Low-Vision Magnifiers

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There are various eye conditions that may result in loss of vision with limited potential for recovery with treatment.  In these situations, good lighting and magnifiers are essential for making best use of low vision.  Magnifying glasses and large closed-circuit TV magnifiers are large and heavy.  They are most useful for home use.  However, away from home, these devices may be too cumbersome.  An ideal solution to the problem, is the portable digital magnifier.  The small magnifiers are lighter than an old-fashioned magnifying glass and are easily transportable.  And, certainly, they may be used around the home, as well.

A number of my patients endorse the portable low-vision magnifiers listed below.  They come in various sizes depending on your needs and the size of your carrying bag.  They also vary in the amount of magnification provided.  They are particularly helpful when shopping for brands and prices in the grocery store.  Reading a menu at a restaurant is made much easier with these devices.  The added independence gained with a proper magnifier makes my patients less dependent on others for help and adds to their quality of life.    

Please refer to the links below for pricing on Amazon:

Small Portable Magnifier with 3.5″ screen with up to 25x zoom magnification

Large Portable Magnifier with 5″ screen with up to 32x magnification

Large Portable Magnifier with 5″ screen with up to 48x magnification and voice prompt function.

By Scott E. Pautler, MD

Note: This blog is supported by its readers via small commissions that may be earned through these links.  The commissions do not increase the price you pay and do not affect the content of this article.  Thank you for your support.  

Low Vision Resources in Tampa

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Although medical and surgical treatments often help to restore vision or minimize loss of vision, many people lose vision permanently from various eye conditions. This information was compiled to inform you about what is available in the community to assist in overcoming some of the problems encountered with low vision. Keep in close contact with trusted friends and family members who can provide help. Remain as active as your health and vision with allow. Identify and treat depression with the help of your internist. You will not harm your eyes by trying to use them. You may sit close to the TV to see it better without risking damage to your eyes. When reading, good lighting is important (a gooseneck lamp may be helpful). To reduce glare when outdoors, consider wearing glasses tinted dark-yellow or amber.

TRANSPORTATION

CTI “Share-A-Van” transportation service………….272-7272

HARTline buses (discount for legal blindness)…….623-5835

Angel Wings/Red Cross (Free, Non-Medicaid).……251-0921

Evacuation Preparedness and Assistance………….272-6900

MAGNIFICATION

The Lighthouse for the Blind
1106 W. Platt Street
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 251-2407
Harbor Freight

154 W Fletcher Ave

Tampa, FL 33612

(813) 930-0774

TELEPHONE DIRECTORY SERVICE

Free directory assistance over the phone from Verizon is available with a form filled out at our office.

HELP FOR VETERANS

VIS Program offers low-vision aids and training.

Call (813) 903-2441

TALKING BOOK LIBRARY

Applications for the free books on cassette tape are available from our office. Tapes are mailed to your home.

Hillsborough County Talking Book Library

3910 South Manhattan Avenue

Tampa, Florida 33611-1214

(813) 272-6024

U.S. National Library Service 1-800-424-8567

www.loc.gov/nls (books and magazines on tape)

Books and magazines on tape to keep (free):

American Printing House for the Blind 1-800-223-1839

Choice Magazines 1-888-724-6423

Large-print books (loan):

National Association for Visually Handicapped

1-212-889-3141 (www.navh.org)

SUPPORT GROUPS AND CLASSES

Eyes Only Support Group

Lighthouse for the Blind

1106 W. Platt Street

Tampa, Florida 33606

(813) 251-2407

REHABILITATION

Division of Blind Services

415 S Armenia Ave

Tampa, FL 33609

(813) 871-7190

Comprehensive Home Care

(813) 373-8438

 

LOW VISION CATALOG

Maxiaids Catalog (free catalog of helpful aids)

1-800-522-6294

LOW VISON SOFTWARE FOR COMPUTER

Freedom Scientific

http://www.freedomscientific.com/product-portal.asp)

1-800-444-4443

NEWSPAPER READING SERVICE

 USF Newspaper Reading Service broadcast by radio.

Applications are available in our office.

TAX RELIEF

 Tax deductions on property tax and income tax are available to persons who are legally blind. Your eye doctor can supply you with proper documentation of legal blindness.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON LOW VISION:

National Eye Health Educational Program

National Institutes of Health (English and Spanish)

www.nei.nih.gov
Association for Macular Diseases (1-212-605-3719)

www.macula.org
Macular Degeneration Partnership (1-888-430-9898)

www.amd.org
MD Support (information and video: Learning to live with low vision)

www.mdsupport.org

Self-Help Books:

Making Life More Livable, M. Duffy, NY: American Foundation for the Blind, 2001; 1-800-232-3044

Macular Degeneration: The Complete Guide to Saving and Maximizing Your Sight, L. Mogk, MD & M. Mogk, PhD, NY: Ballantine 2003; available in bookstores and www.amazon.com

Overcoming Macular Degeneration: A Guide to Seeing Beyond the Clouds, S. Soloman, MD and J. Soloman, NY: Avon 2000; available in bookstores and www.amazon.com

This list was compiled to help provide information on available services for the visually impaired. It does not represent an endorsement of listed businesses or services. Please verify phone numbers and addresses as they may have changed since this publication was printed.

By Scott E. Pautler, MD

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