The role of spectacle-magnifier as visual aids

• Published in: JAPANESE ORTHOPTIC JOURNAL Vol. 28; pp. 245 - 251
• Main Authors: Ueoka, Yasuo, Nakadomari, Satoshi, Inoue, Keiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: JAPANESE ASSOCIATION OF CERTIFIED ORTHOPTISTS 2000
• Subjects: Low vision; Spectacle-magnifier; Visual aids
• ISSN: 0387-5172; 1883-9215
• DOI: 10.4263/jorthoptic.28.245

The clinical assessment of patient for visual aids must be based on the requirement of the visual task with proper application among several devices and the encouragement of psychological adaptability to the inevitable disadvantages for use. Eighteen patients with equal numbers of both sex with the age from 16 to 84 years were prescribed the aiding devices by a thorough ocular examination. These were hand- or stand-magnifiers to 11 patients (61%), spectacle-magnifiers to 7 (39%), closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) to 3, uniocular-# and spectacle-telescopes to 3, photochromatic lenses to 2. Nine patients were prescribed the combination of some devices. For the spectacle-magnifier ordinary spherical lenses (+6.0D∼+12.0D) were used. Four of 7 wearers were able to use the binocular corrections, but the others were unable because of highly poor vision on contralateral eye, constant exotropia and severe anisometropia. With relatively lower correction up to +8.0D binocular and bifocal corrections were practicable offering a larger field and greater depth of focus. Our patients could continue their pleasurable activities with both hands overcoming the psychological hurdles of cosmetic or short reading distance. We suggest the spectacle-magnifier is more beneficial visual aid than the others because of the easy prescription without any special trial device.