Having low vision or a significant visual impairment doesn't have to mean missing out on print content. In fact, as technology advances, there are an increasing number of opportunities available for people with visual impairments to read. Here are a few ways that you can help improve your reading experience, even if you struggle with a vision problem.
Brighten Things Up
One of the biggest things you can do to help improve your reading experience is to ensure that you have adequate lighting. In addition to the overhead light, use an adjustable lamp so that you can target light directly over the text that you're reading. Ask your eye care professional about what kind of bulb you should use and how bright it should be. Some lights may do more harm than good depending on your visual impairment, so it's best to get a professional opinion before investing.
Make it Bigger
There are many different magnification methods that can make it easier for you to read standard-sized print again. Whether you invest in a magnification screen that fits over the pages of the book or a pair of reading glasses that help to directly magnify what you're looking at, either one can help.
Additionally, new digital magnifiers have hit the market in small, handheld devices. Along with the magnification screen, many of these even offer you text-to-speech and color adjustments so that you can alter the background or text color for better visibility.
Listen to It
One of the easiest ways to enjoy your favorite print books with a visual impairment is the investment in audio books. The National Library Service even offers a Talking Book program that makes audio book material available to those with visual impairments. This program relies on the use of an audio player, and it gives you access to their entire library of audio books accessible by mail for your convenience.
Invest in E-Books
With so many digital options, e-books are an easy way to expand your access to reading materials. Most every digital device that displays e-book formats also offers a zoom feature. By zooming in on the text, you can enlarge it to make it clearer and easier to see. You can also use features to bookmark your place or highlight passages you like.
These are a few of the options available to help you enjoy your favorite books even with a visual impairment. If you want to enjoy reading again, talk with your optician about the benefits of these choices and how to make them work for you. For more information, contact a clinic such as Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists at Zion Eye Institute.
Share10 April 2015
My name is Katie Langer. For a long time, I was bed ridden and I felt like I had no control over my life. I simply went along with what was instructed by my doctor and I didn't ask questions. It wasn't that my doctor wasn't willing to work with me, but I preferred to simply not think about the illness I was suffering from. I didn't realize that some of the symptoms I was suffering from were side effects of my medication and were not normal. After communicating more with my doctor, I was able to alleviate my symptoms. Since then, I've taken an interest in patient-doctor relationships and how to improve them.
