Talking Reading Machines, Book Readers, Audio Labelers

Reading is one of life’s most enjoyable activities, and feeding the brain with information that it craves fills that need. A reading machine is an assistive device that allows those who are visually impaired to access printed materials. It scans the words, converts them into a speech synthesizer and reads out what it scanned.

What is Low Vision?

Low vision refers to a visual impairment that is not correctable through glasses, contact lenses, surgery or pharmaceuticals. Partial sight such as blind spots, blurred vision or tunnel vision are often characteristics. It can impact people of all ages, but is mainly associated with older adults.

What are Causes of Low Vision?

Some of the most common visual impairments that can cause low vision are age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, and retinitis pigmentosa. Additional causes of low vision can include traumatic brain injury or stroke.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss among those over 60, accounting for nearly half of all low vision cases. It is caused when the macula, the part of the eye responsible for sharp, straight on vision, breaks down and causes a loss of central vision. There are two different types, wet and dry. Wet AMD is caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the macula, causing central vision loss to occur rapidly. Dry AMD is caused by the light-sensitive cells in the macula breaking down slowly, having a gradual loss of central vision.

Diabetic retinopathy affects more than 30% of those diagnosed with diabetes. It is directly related to high blood sugar, which damages blood vessels, and is a major cause of blindness. That blood vessel damage affects the retina and can lead to its detachment.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness, with a decrease in peripheral vision as its first sign for many people. Portions of vision are lost over time, typically with no warning signs or symptoms before vision begins to deteriorate.

Cataracts are found in over 20 million people in the US, according to Prevent Blindness America. It appears as a clouding of the lens of an eye.

Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited diseases that affect the retina, resulting in progressive loss of vision. Often beginning in childhood with poor night vision, this type of vision impairment progresses over time.

What is Low Vision Care?

Individual cases of low vision vary, requiring different approaches to vision care. Some develop low vision over time due to a genetic propensity for a certain condition or to aging eyes. Others suffer sudden trauma to the eyes which can result in vision impairment or a loss of vision. A thorough exam by an eye care professional will determine an appropriate treatment plan. The exam may include tests to establish a baseline of current vision status. Treatment plans may encompass specialized optical systems, prescription glasses, therapeutic filters, video magnification or medical rehabilitation to increase the ability to perform daily living activities.

What are Low Vision Aids?

Through the use of low vision aids, patients can maximize their remaining vision and develop strategies that lead to a more independent lifestyle. The main objectives behind these devices are to control glare, enhance contrast and magnify objects using various tools. Each low vision aid is designed to serve a specific purpose, therefore, most people use multiple aids. Low vision aids are broken into the following categories:

• Near-vision magnification for viewing tasks within 20 inches; reading, writing, crafts or sewing.
• Intermediate magnification for viewing tasks 20-40 inches away; computer work, playing cards, board games, crafts, or playing music.
• Distance-vision magnification for viewing tasks usually beyond 6 feet; watching TV, sporting events, cinema, spotting street signs, or driving.

What are the Warning Signs for Eye Disease?

Since low vision can develop gradually over a period of time, be aware of these common warning signs:

• Feeling like lights are too dim indoors
• Trouble doing up-close tasks and cooking
• Difficulty in recognizing familiar faces
• Problems crossing the street or reading signs
• Recurring sudden eye pain
• Darkened or shadowed field of view
• Areas of distorted or blurred vision, blotches and spots in vision
• Gradual loss of central vision
• Loss of peripheral vision or narrowing field of vision
• Exaggerated “halos” around bright lights or cloudy and blurred vision
• Double vision
• Blind spots in field of view
• Complete loss of vision for any length of time

How do I Cope with Low Vision?

Difficulty performing daily living activities are experienced by many visually impaired people. Those activities can be cooking, managing finances, shopping, watching TV, reading, and taking care of personal needs. Affected individuals may have concerns about dealing with friends and family members, finding and keeping a job, getting around, and participating in social and recreational activities. As their vision diminishes, some may feel a sense of depression. Call a health care professional immediately for assistance if experiencing signs of depression. Refer to an eye care professional for advice and tips for coping with low vision.

To help maximize remaining vision and maintain independence, some of the most common ways for coping include:

• Using contrasting colors, such as white plates on a dark table cloth.
• Using bold labels, stickers of different shapes, puffy paint or other textured labels can help identify items.
• Using devices with large display screens, such as watches with enlarged faces, or buttons that are bigger and easier to differentiate from one another.
• Keeping items in their proper places so they will be easy to locate quickly, making daily activities easier.
• Asking for assistance. This is the hardest action to initiate, but there are people in many shops and daily walks of life who are trained to assist those with low vision. Passersby are often happy to help if requested. There are also a number of low vision support groups available.
• Finding a friend or support system in the community. Since low vision is common among aging adults, this will also help with the feeling of loneliness.
• Learning tips and tricks that have worked for others in the same situation.
• Being patient, because coping with low vision is not simple. Developing tricks and methods takes time and effort.
• Practicing the new methods so they will become easier in the long run.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

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