What Are Low-Vision Aids?

Aids for coping with vision loss (referred to as low-vision aids) can be an enormous help to older people with only partial vision. Low-vision aids for reading, writing, watching television, and engaging in outdoor activities include the following:

• Large-print books
• Large-numbered telephones, clocks, watches, and thermometers
• Closed-circuit television to magnify objects
• Electronic "talking" clocks and other "talking" devices
• Computer programs that can scan text and then produce larger text or read the text out loud
• Light filters to improve contrast
• Color-coded pill boxes
• Handheld magnifying glasses
• Glare-reducing sunglasses
• Handheld binoculars
• Handheld or eyeglass-mounted telescopes
• Reflective canes and walkers

Eye doctors working with other health care practitioners can usually evaluate how vision loss affects a person. They can then recommend a combination of low-vision aids that they believe would best help the person perform daily tasks.