Beecher Mirage
 4X, 5.5X, 7X and 8X

		The Beecher Mirage 4X and 5.5X  provide moderate magnification in a lightweight headborne binocular system. The expanded field of view and brightness of these optical systems make the Beecher excellent for television viewing by patients with loss from macular degeneration.
		The Beecher Mirage was developed by the late Dr. Beecher, from the University of Chicago.
		Our practice has prescribed over 1200 Beecher Mirage systems. The most common vision problem has been macular degeneration.
		Today we have a group of Beecher products to help many degrees of vision loss at near and far.
		The systems weigh about 3.5 ounces and are easily focused for distances from about seven feet to infinity.
		Patients generally report better appearance of colors in TV viewing which we believe is due to the brightness of the system. Patients in the range of about 20/100 to 20/300 may benefit from the 4X system.
		The most common uses of the Beecher Mirage are television viewing, viewing religious services, viewing sports events and driving.
		View a brief video clip of a patient watching  television with the 5.5X Beecher Mirage. No sound on this clip. Click to view below: Windows Version RealVideo Version
		The Beecher Mirage from behind with nosepiece.
		Watch a short movie on the Beecher Mirage for bioptic driving. Click here to view video as Windows Media File.
		Watch a short movie on the Beecher Mirage for bioptic driving. Click here to view video with RealVideo
		The Beecher Mirage 5.5X and 7x are high powered, but lightweight head borne binocular systems. An expanded field of view and high power makes the Beecher excellent for television viewing by patients with loss from macular degeneration. Many patients with vision below 20/400 can see television detail with the Beecher.
		The 8X Beecher -- Beechers come in 4X, 5.5X, 7X and 8X powers. The 5.5X is the most commonly used system
		Near point caps are available to shift the focus to close distance. This works well on the computer screen.
		The Beecher Mirage  focuses to about eight feet, but a near cap can be attached to one objective lens to allow the Beecher to focus at closer distances.
		A 5.5X Beecher with a near cap on the right lens. Only one cap can be used.
		The Beecher nose pad has a moleskin inner cover to improve comfort.
		The height of the Beecher before the eyes can be adjusted by changing nose pad slot used.
		For driving we  mount the Beecher Mirage over the bridge of  the eyeglass frame.We fit a clear and a sunglass pair for each patient to drive with.
		The type of frame must be carefully selected to fit with the Beecher.
		Notice that the Beecher sits on the bridge of the frame.
		Tilting the head down allows the patient to view through the Beecher.
		A head tilt up allows the patient to view under the Beecher with her eyeglasses.
		This patient used a Beecher to drive for many years. A sunglass has been adapted to fit behind the Beecher.
		The 4X Beecher System
		The 8X Beecher System
		The 7X Beecher System