LOW VISION AID DISPENSING
AND TRAINING
HIRA ANWAR
MPHIL OPTOM
K.EMU
LOW VISION AID DISPENSING AND TRAINING
The ultimate success of the low
vision patient will be determined by
many factors. Many are obvious, such
as the thoroughness of the
examination, appropriateness of goals
chosen and the availability of a
variety of low vision aids designed to
meet those goals.
LOW VISION AID DISPENSING AND
TRAINING
However, many factors are not so
obvious such as the effects of prior
low vision exams, the patient’s
psychological, educational and
cognitive levels and if they were
properly trained in using their low
vision aids.
LOW VISION AID DISPENSING AND
TRAINING
This is why it is so very important to
give adequate and appropriate time to
the dispensing and training of low
vision aids. Do not assume that the
patient or their family understands the
use, care and handling of the low
vision aids you prescribe
LOW VISION AID DISPENSING AND
TRAINING
Do not assume that the patient or their
family understands the use, care and
handling of the low vision aids you
prescribe
LOW VISION AID DISPENSING AND
TRAINING
It cannot be overstated, patience and
repetition during the dispensing and
training session will allow the patient
to effectively and consistently use
their new low vision aids
The following steps
and guidelines are
helpful in achieving
these goals:
HAND AND STAND MAGNIFIERS:
Begin by teaching the patient on how
to turn the magnifier on or off. Do
not assume that the patient will be
able to do this without instruction.
HAND AND STAND MAGNIFIERS:
Remember that the patient is visually
impaired and probably cannot see
how to do this. Let the patient
practice turning the magnifier on and
off.
HAND AND STAND MAGNIFIERS:
Then teach the patient how to change
the batteries. Show the patient how to
open the handle to change the
batteries, how many batteries are
needed and what size battery to use.
The life of a standard battery is 12
hrs. of continual use.
HAND AND STAND MAGNIFIERS:
If the patient will remember to turn
the magnifier off when not in use, the
batteries will last a long time. And as
simple as it may seem, if the
magnifier has an electrical cord, show
the patient how to plug it correctly
into the wall receptacle.
HAND AND STAND MAGNIFIERS:
Then teach the patient how to
cleaning the magnifier. Spray windex
or a mixture of alcohol and water on a
soft cotton cloth and wipe the lens
and handle.
HAND AND STAND MAGNIFIERS:
Never spray directly onto the
magnifier because the liquid will seep
into the handle and corrode the
batteries. Explain to the patient that a
clean lens is easier to see through!
HAND AND STAND MAGNIFIERS:
Instructthe patient on how to
properly use their new low vision aid.
HAND AND STAND MAGNIFIERS:
For a hand magnifier
have the patient view the reading
material through their distant Rx.
Show the patient how to hold the
magnifier at the appropriate focal
distance away from the print to keep
the type clear and in focus.
HAND AND STAND MAGNIFIERS:
For a stand magnifier have the
patient view the reading material
through their near or bifocal Rx.
HAND AND STAND MAGNIFIERS:
Show the patient how to hold the
stand magnifier directly on the
reading material to keep the type clear
and in focus.
SPECTACLE MAGNIFIERS:
Begin by properly adjusting the frame
to the patient’s facial characteristics.
The patient needs to be seated before
putting on the spectacle magnifier.
Walking with the spectacle magnifier
could cause the patient to stumble or
fall.
SPECTACLE MAGNIFIERS:
Have a good light coming over the
same shoulder as the dominant eye or
the eye with the best visual acuity.
The light should be on an adjustable
arm and should be brought in no
closer than the side of the frame on
the glasses.
SPECTACLE MAGNIFIERS:
A 75-watt frosted or 60 watt soft
white bulb is recommended. If the
light source is brought into this
position, the illumination is
quadrupled (4X) without the glare or
heat created from a higher wattage
bulb.
SPECTACLE MAGNIFIERS:
Give the patient a reading card and
instruct the patient to hold it against
the tip of their nose.
Then push the card away from their
nose until the words come into focus.
SPECTACLE MAGNIFIERS:
The focus distance will depend on the
type size and power of the spectacle
magnifier.
SPECTACLE MAGNIFIERS:
Encourage the patient to practice
daily for short periods of time.
The patient should not read for more
than 20 minutes at a time without
taking a 5-minute break.
SPECTACLE MAGNIFIERS:
The break gives the eyes time to
recover and rest.
For cleaning spray a soft cotton cloth
with Windex and wipe the lenses
clean.
Do not use tissue or paper towels that
may scratch the lenses.
VIDEO MAGNIFIERS OR ELECTRONIC
SCANNING MAGNIFIERS:
Instruct the patient on how to connect
the system to their monitor, if the
monitor is not self-contained.
All manufacturers provide an
excellent instructional booklet and
video on installing and using their
systems.
VIDEO MAGNIFIERS OR ELECTRONIC
SCANNING MAGNIFIERS:
Refer the patient to the portion of the
instruction booklet where a diagram
of the installation is shown.
VIDEO MAGNIFIERS OR ELECTRONIC
SCANNING MAGNIFIERS:
Review installation using the diagram
and your office system for
demonstration.
Use your office system to review use,
care and handling as well.
VIDEO MAGNIFIERS OR ELECTRONIC
SCANNING MAGNIFIERS:
Remember that the patient is already
familiar with the system through the
trial testing in the office.
Review the on/off switch, viewing
modes, changing magnification, and
attachments.
You become master of your life
when you learn how to control
where your attention goes. Value
what you give your energy and time
to..
