“Doc, I read like a first grader,” said Kevin, an adult male diagnosed with macular degeneration. His condition creates a ring-shaped blind spot in the center of his vision, causing words next to where he reads to disappear. Despite knowing that reading will become increasingly challenging over time, Kevin remains determined not to be held back. He’s tried various over-the-counter magnifiers and reading glasses, but with little success.

Another patient, Sam, faces similar reading difficulties despite having a different diagnosis—non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Sam experienced sudden vision loss in both eyes, one eye after the other in a short period of time. Despite visiting multiple vision clinics and trying high-power reading glasses and a hand-held magnifier, he continues to struggle. Regardless of the level of magnification, words appear very faint, making reading almost impossible for him.

Both Kevin and Sam, though affected by different ocular diseases, share common challenges with reading due to significant contrast sensitivity (CS) loss. CS is crucial for perceiving objects without clear outlines and distinguishing them from their backgrounds. It involves telling the difference between similar colors or shades of gray and recognizing objects separately from their surroundings. When CS is reduced, images can blend into their backgrounds, making them indistinguishable.

Loss of CS significantly impacts daily activities. Patients often describe their vision as “foggy” or find reading difficult, requiring bold black prints on white paper to read effectively. They may struggle to recognize faces or distinguish the mashed potatoes on their white plate.

While mild CS loss is a natural part of aging, diseases affecting the macula or optic nerve can lead to severe-to-profound impairment. As low vision optometrists, we specialize in assessing CS loss alongside evaluating visual acuity and visual field impairments. By accurately determining the severity of these issues, we can tailor solutions to enhance contrast perception for you, our patients. We can attempt to improve contrast by adding task lighting or prescribing specialized lenses with light yellow or amber tints which selectively filter light to improve contrast and reduce glare.

Generally, optical magnification through high-power reading glasses or hand-held magnifiers, coupled with tinting, helps many low vision patients achieve their reading goals. However, for Kevin and Sam, these solutions weren’t sufficient. Both responded significantly better to electronic magnification technologies. Using back-lit screens with reversed type, or white text on a black background, they required less magnification compared to optical devices. Electronic magnifiers proved to be the breakthrough that allowed both Kevin and Sam to read sentences and paragraphs with fluidity and accuracy.

Fortunately, Spectrios has a robust technology center equipped with a variety of electronic magnifiers in different sizes and functionalities. Access technology can be a great addition, or even substitution, to one’s low vision “tool box” of traditional optical devices. When appropriate, we encourage patients to consider scheduling an Access Technology appointment following their comprehensive low vision rehabilitation exam, offering back-to-back appointments on the same day whenever possible.

If you’re experiencing difficulties with reading or wish to explore how electronic magnifiers could benefit you, please call 630-690-7115 x 123 to schedule an appointment.