EyeWorld is the official news magazine of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
Issue link: https://digital.eyeworld.org/i/511377
by Michelle Dalton EyeWorld Contributing Writer New technologies helping patients with low vision T raditional devices such as magnifiers, prisms, and high-powered lenses are now being used alongside smartphones and tablets to assist those with low vision in inter- acting with their world. Researchers are also investigating methods to train the brain to reorganize itself faster and more efficiently to deve - op preferred retinal viewing areas. New possibilities in technology include a portable bioptic telescope lens that fits onto a standard pair of spectacles and virtual reality systems that magnify images up to 30 times their normal size. Judith E. Goldstein, OD, FAAO, director of vision rehabilitation services at Wilmer Eye Institute, Baltimore, said that low vision is no longer the limitation it once was. Apple's (Cupertino, Calif.) smart- phones and tablets incorporate nu- merous speech options to help those with low vision, she said. One of her patients "goes hiking internationally and uses a global positioning system to help him navigate through the woods." Paul Otterness, blind in one eye since birth and with low vision in the other as a result of congenital glaucoma, has always been interest- ed in technology that can help him see the world better. Mr. Otterness is an advocate for low vision patients. "While Apple technology is my primary visual-assistive technology, I have used other resources such as magnifying glasses [and] mini-tele- scopes," he said. These days, he is likely to carry a lightweight telescope that has a wide field of view for addresses and street signs, and a pocket illuminated mag- nifie . His most low-tech item? His clothing must have multiple pockets with Velcro closures and at least one pocket that has a horizontally zip- pered closure for maximum security and accessibility of his devices. He said that clothing detail is some- thing that clinicians often overlook when discussing technology aids. New technologies Mr. Otterness said the OrCam (Jeru- salem) uses artificial vision attached to a pair of spectacles. It "speaks" to users through an earpiece. The device—an "intuitive portable de- vice with a smart camera designed to assist people who are visually impaired"—is not yet available in the U.S. OwnFone (London) has intro- duced what it calls the world's "first Braille phone," partially constructed using 3D printing technology. Own- Fone executives said 3D printing allows for "customization at an affordable price." The phone can be personalized with 2 or 4 Braille but- tons pre-programmed to call family, caregivers, or emergency services. Apple's VoiceOver is a type of "screen reader" for people with visu- al limitations that uses gesture-based commands rather than visual icons. Several apps are available, including ones that will read aloud what is on a computer screen, and Apple has significantly more apps aimed at the visually impaired. Last year, Alcon (Fort Worth, Texas) licensed "smart lens" tech- nology from Google (Mountain View, Calif.), noting the technology involves "non-invasive sensors, Device focus