First, if you have a visual impairment, it might be helpful to know that you are not alone. About 3.4 million people over the age of 40 in the U.S. have some kind of visual impairment, but almost all individuals "can benefit from vision rehabilitation that can help make the most of whatever vision remains" (Prevent Blindness America, 2002).
In terms of the magnifying glass, it is designed to increase the size of the object underneath of it. The ones that you can buy in stores provide a relatively low level of magnification. They are really meant for people with limited vision loss (Goodrich, 2003), and it is recommended that you consult with an expert for some advice before making a purchase.
Before buying any type of assistive technology device, consulting with an expert to determine what is best suited for your individual situation and needs can help ensure that you receive the right type of help. You might start with your eye care specialist, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist. You could ask for help from your local physician or from an occupational therapist. By getting advice, you may avoid some frustration and wasted time and energy. Getting help from a professional also means that you should get the best device to fit your needs (Sellers & Dittman, 2008). Also, by receiving advice, training and other types of support, there is a better chance that the assistive technology device will actually be effective for you (Goodrich, 2003).
Beyond magnifying glasses, there are some ideas that people with low vision can try. These ideas include adjusting the lighting in your environment, and using large-print materials, audio tapes, reading machines, closed-circuit TV and computers that use large print and voice output (National Institute on Aging, 2005).
You may be interested in visiting the National Eye Institute:
http://www.nei.nih.gov.
or NIH SeniorHealth: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/lowvision/toc.html.
You may also want to read this article:
For more information, visit http://www.extension.org/pages/Assistive_Technology_and_Adaptive_Equipment.
References:
Goodrich, G.L. (2003). Available and emerging technologies for people with visual impairment. Generations, 27(1), 64-70.
National Institute on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2005, October). Age page: Aging and your eyes. Retrieved from http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/eyes.htm
Prevent Blindness America. (2002). Vision problems in the U.S. Prevalence of adult vision impairment and age-related eye disease in America. Retrieved from: http://www.nei.nih.gov/eyedata/pdf/VPUS.pdf
Sellers, D. M., & Dittman, E.J. (2008). Fashion an easier lifestyle with assistive technology. [Fact Sheet]. Manhattan, KS: Kansas State
University.
