City Research Online

Abstract

Despite recent advances in electronic low vision aids and technology,such as tablet computers,optical low vision aids remain the most commonly prescribed aids in low vision clinicsacross the United Kingdom. Apart from the obvious advantage that a majority are available at no charge to the patient on extended loan from the National Health Service (NHS),there is support from the literature suggesting that opticalaids improve reading abilityand quality of life. There are several different types of optical aids available for the low vision practitioner to prescribe and these fall into various different categories: magnifiers,which include hand and stand magnifiers;spectacle magnifiers,which include high dioptric power reading glasses or near adds in bifocal glasses (above +4.00 D);telescopes or binoculars;and prisms for expansion of the field of vision.This article aimsto apprisethe practitioner of recent advances linked to optical low vision aids,mainly from these four categories,and the advantages and disadvantages ofeach.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is the accepted version of an article first published in Optometry in Practice.
Subjects:	R Medicine > RE Ophthalmology
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Optometry & Visual Sciences

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