Blindness is an eye condition that most of us have heard of, but perhaps you’re not as familiar with “low vision,” despite it being significantly more common. Potentially caused by a number of things including glaucoma and cataracts, low vision cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery and, at best, offers visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in the better-seeing eye.
According to Dr. Diane Hilal-Campo, a board-certified ophthalmologist and founder of the eye-friendly makeup company, Twenty/Twenty Beauty, while low vision is not categorized as complete blindness, it’s still a “level of vision that makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks and activities of daily living like reading, driving, recognizing faces, seeing details on television or computer screens, distinguishing colors and navigating.”
Hilal-Campo stresses the importance that, for you or loved ones with low vision, the goal typically always involves providing tools for patients to use their remaining vision to gain or sustain independence.
“Find and get involved with the closest low vision center in your state,” she said “There usually is a social worker on the team that can help to access resources like vocational training, rehabilitation, schooling, disability benefits, tax exemption programs and seeing eye dogs.
Dr. Roma Patel, a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), points to the Academy’s online database of apps and other technologies that utilize cell phones to make everyday things like transportation and interpreting surroundings easier.
Patel and Hilal-Campo also suggested the various gadgets and tools in the list ahead that can be easily purchased online. Just keep in mind that, before you delve into this helpful array of magnifiers, glasses and text-reading aids, always seek the expertise of your eye care professionals first.
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Hilal-Campo suggests this pack of assorted Braille stickers as a tactile solution for recognizing and distinguishing different household switches, buttons on appliances, electronic controls and more. The silicone stickers vary in size and shape so they feel markedly different and feature high-contrast colors to make them easier to see.
This handheld and compact tool, recommended by Hilal-Campo, magnifies texts and objects by 30 times. The glass is surrounded by 18 battery-powered LED lights that have three different warmth modes (cold, warm and mixed) to best accommodate the user's surroundings.
Also suggested by Hilal-Campo, this magnifier stand is designed to work specifically with phones to be able to view its screen more easily and reduce eye strain. Available in four screen sizes, this stand's angle is adjustable and magnifies phones two to four times the original screen size.
According to Patel, people with low vision typically require the use of higher-powered readers with a minimum prescription strength of 4.00. We selected this five-pack of basic reading glasses most notably for the fact that they are available in higher magnifications, including 4.00 up through 6.00. They come in various assorted colors, are lightweight and feature blue light-blocking lenses. There are even bundles that include sunglasses.
"An iPad or computer that can increase the font size and contrast of written material is always helpful," Hilal-Campo said. Based on her comments, we couldn't pass up on the opportunity to include one of our favorite tablet options: the 10th-generation Apple iPad, which is currently 20% off at a few different retailers.
Not only can you easily enlarge the font size by three times using the settings menu, but it also has a vivid 10.9-inch liquid retina display for images that look crystal-clear and vibrant. It's powered by Apple's A14 Bionic chip, a tech feature that ensures a powerful and responsive performance.
If you're looking for a more affordable tablet option than an iPad, Amazon's exclusive Fire HD 10 might be a solid choice — and it's even more affordable right now because it's 42% off for Presidents' Day. This brand-new model serves as a great tool for entertainment and productivity, whether you're streaming, reading or gaming. It has a full-color HD display on a 10.1-inch screen that's already pre-loaded with essential apps plus, a 13-hour battery life and expandable storage. It's even compatible with an Amazon Stylus pen.
Hilal-Campo also recommended this free-standing magnifier — similar to the previously-mentioned portable magnifying tool — for anyone who wants a larger and more stationary option that won't wear out your arms or hands. It's collapsible, adjustable and detachable and amplifies texts and images up to five times. Surrounding the anti-glare lens are 24 brightness-adjusting SMD LED lights, which claim to use 50% less energy than traditional LED lights for a longer battery life.
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"A good LED table lamp is always recommended," Hilal-Campo said and based on this guidance we found this highly rated desk lamp on Amazon. It claims to use 72 full-spectrum beads with soft light that won't flicker, glare or cause eye strain. It has a full metal construction, five lighting modes and 19 levels of brightness to choose from.
Another desk lamp option that we found is this one with an extra-wide light source to offer a greater illumination range compared to other standard models. At its highest brightness level, it can evenly light surfaces up to 51 inches wide. It offers three color temperatures and seven different brightness levels.
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One of the technology tools featured on Patel's list from the American Academy of Ophthalmology is Audible, a monthly service that many are already familiar with. If you're not, it's an Amazon-founded platform that provides users access to thousands and thousands of audiobook titles, podcasts and read-out-loud original content that's helpful for those who struggle to see and decipher text. You can stream or purchase content and even get access to free or deeply discounted material, all directly available on your smartphone, computer or tablet. Your first month is free and you can cancel at any time.
Aira is another assistive app on the AAO's list that essentially transforms a smartphone into a real-time interpreter for the visually impaired. The platform verbally translates vital information to users such as directions, visual surroundings and navigation to help low-vision users integrate more seamlessly into the day-to-day.
"This smart device attaches to glasses and will read aloud printed and digital text from any source [in real time] — books, menus, screens and more," Hilal-Campo said of this groundbreaking gadget that can really empower those with low vision. "It also will recognize and identify faces and objects," she added.
The OrCam My Eye operates without wires or an internet connection and intuitively navigates through all its functions using simple hand gestures or voice commands, supporting a wide array of languages.
Although this bright yellow pin wasn't mentioned by any of the ophthalmologists we spoke to, it was a personal recommendation from my colleague Emily Ruane, who said her grandmother — who was afflicted with macular degeneration in the final years of her life — wore a similar one. Made in the USA with a snag-proof safety clasp, this pin can help make others aware of your or your loved one's low vision.
A final editor's pick from us is this energy-efficient outlet cover that has a motion-sensing LED light at its base. It automatically detects when someone walks into a dark room or hallway to help guide someone who may have difficulty seeing. These light covers are individually sold in three different styles and four different colors and only cost 10 cents per year to power.