Many people with eyesight problems find low vision aids helpful. Resources and strategies depend on the severity of a person's vision impairment. At home, people need devices that can help them read, write, and manage the tasks of daily living. These adaptive devices include adjustable lighting, prescription reading glasses, large-print publications, magnifying devices, closed-circuit televisions, cassette recordings, electronic reading machines, and computers with large print and speech output systems. Simple strategies include writing with bold black felt tip markers and writing on tablets with bold lines to make it easier to write in a straight line. Also, contrasting colors are helpful: people can place colored tape on the edges of steps to help them see the steps and prevent a fall. Dark-colored light switches and electrical outlets can provide contrast on light-colored walls. Motion lights that automatically turn on when someone enters a room are helpful. Telephones, clocks, and watches with large numbers can help people use those instruments more easily, and large-print labels placed on the stove and microwave oven can help, too.
Among the visual devices that can help people with low vision are reading glasses with high-powered lenses and reading prisms; telescopes and telescopic spectacles for tasks requiring vision at near, middle, and far distances; and reversed telescopes for visual field defects. These devices must be prescribed by eye care professionals, and patients must be trained to use them properly.
