Overcoming
Macular Degeneration and other central vision
losses, including Histoplasmosis, Stargardt’s Disease, Albinism,
Myopic Macular Degeneration, Achromatopsia, Cone Dystrophies, etc. when
watching television can be achieved in most cases. Below are several options
to helping patients with vision loss to watch television.
Option
One: Sitting closer to the television is the first option to try.
This works well for many patients. This enlarges the image of the television
in your eye, thus spreading across the peripheral retina.
Option
Two: Obtain a larger and better quality television and sit as close
as needed to see. When large screen televisions are used, we recommend high
definition since this provides a clearer image when the patient sits close
to the screen.
Option
Three: Utilize a bioptic telescopic system to view television. The
best product in our clinics has been the Beecher Mirage systems. They are
typically fit in powers of 4X, 5.5X, and 7X power. An 8X power is used in
rare cases.
| The
Beecher
provides a bright,
wide angle field of view. Patients not only like the enlarged view,
but notice a major improvement in their color vision. The color on the
screen no longer seems faded.
At
the Low Vision Centers of
Indiana
, our doctors have
prescribed over 1,300
Beecher
systems for patients
to watch television and other distance activities.
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MaxTv is a low power magnification aid. It is helpful
for patients that have large television screens but still need
additional magnification. |
|
Another
product that we use is the Zeiss G 1.8 bioptic telescope. This lower
power wide angle system is sometimes easier to wear than higher power
telescopes, since there is much less image jump.
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