Latest New Devices

For Persons with Low Vision

1. ClearView+ closed circuit TV system (CCTV). Although many people call these "reading machines," CCTV's can be used for far more than just reading. A person with low vision can use them to write checks or notes, see photographs, do repairs, hand work, or sewing, as well as everyday tasks like reading labels and phone numbers. The ClearView+ by Optelec is one of the newest and nicest CCTV on the market. Clearview+, like its name suggests, provides perhaps the most clear, crisp image of any CCTV. It is extremely easy to use, and has only one button for controls and settings. The ClearView+ uses a very high quality LCD monitor, and is mounted on an ultra flexible arm that can be adjusted left and right, up and down, tilted, and can move forward toward the user or back. It takes very little space on a table or desk. Another great bonus is that it has a 3 year warranty.

2. The Aukey digital portable magnifier (by Aumed) is a fabulous option for reading brief print like menus, prices, dials on appliances, and other items. The Aukey has a camera on the underside and a 3.5" monitor on top, for viewing menus, prices, labels, dials, or anything else at a store, restaurant, church, or around the house. It has an extremely small profile, which makes it possible to easily carry in a person's front shirt pocket. You can also click a "freeze button" to take a picture of an image such as the dials on the oven, a phone number, or a price in the store. Reading brief materials was never so easy, yet at a very affordable cost. The rechargeable battery lasts about 3 hours between charges. The Aukey costs $295.

3. The Eye-Pal SOLO‒An Exciting New Option for Those with a Serious Vision Loss, And Those Who Do No Want to Bother with a Small Magnifier or Even a CCTV reads aloud almost anything printed- books, newspapers, mail, bills, labels, instructions on the food packages, quickly and easily. It's so simple to use that anyone, from an 85 year old blind grandmother to her three year old granddaughter can use it right out of the box. There are no buttons you need to push, no instruction manual needed, no training required, no menus to set up, and no computer required. The Eye-Pal SOLO can enable anyone who is blind or with a serious vision loss to easily get the content from any printed document and "read" with their ears.
You merely take the Eye-Pal SOLO out of the box, plug it in, and place down a document, a book or newspaper on the base on the device, and within seconds it begins to read aloud. To read another document simply replace current document with a new one. Orientation of the page does not matter. You can place the document upside down, landscape, etc. There are no manuals and no complicated controls. It is incredibly simple to use, and is extremely accurate with almost all documents, regardless of page layout, the number of columns, boxes, or captions.
You can control the reading merely by moving your hand. When you want to pause or stop the speech, you can wave your hand above the page. The Eye-Pal SOLO will stop reading immediately. To resume reading wave your hand again and Solo will continue from the correct word.
Buttons located on the front of the base (used only optionally) control the same functions as the hand wave motions. They also allow the user to increase or decrease the reading speed, the volume level, and enable or disable the hand wave motions.
A similar model is available for students and persons who would like to use this with a laptop computer. Models are also available for those who want speech and large print output. The cost of the Eye-Pal Solo is $1,995.

 

4. Advantage LED illuminated stand magnifiers (by Mattingly Low Vision), with their extremely bright new 8mm LED multi-chips. I have recently carefully measured reflectance illumination of almost all major brands of illuminated stand magnifiers at the most common working distances of illuminated stand magnifiers, and on various types of paper and text (newspaper, magazine print, and copy paper). With only one exception, these LED illuminated stand magnifiers were the brightest stand magnifiers at all distances and on all papers and text. Strengths range from 3x-14x, and include a case.

 

5. Cocoons Low Vision Fit-Over Sunglasses

We now carry the Cocoons Low Vision fit-over sunglasses, which are very nice looking, yet fit-over any prescription glasses. They have a lifetime warranty, they are scratch- resistant, and have flexible temple pieces, so can be fitted for your face. They come in 5 sizes, including small, medium-small, medium, medium-large, and large. They also include a nice zipper case to keep them protected, and a cleaning cloth. They block out 100% of UVA and UVB light, and most blue light, so are very good for your eyes. They are only $29.95 per pair. Very nice looking non-fit over sunglasses are also available, for only $13. Clip-on, flip-up sunglasses are also available, which also have side shields and a top lip, to protect you from the sun from all directions.

 

To learn more about any of these new low vision devices, call
(801) 547-5903 or click on the link to Schedule an Appointment