Traditional Magnifiers

Our doctors prescribe traditional magnifiers for many patients with mild to moderate vision loss. These traditional magnifiers come in many different types, styles and powers. There are lighted and non-lighted types. There are pocket magnifiers and standard magnifiers styles.The use of a lighted magnifier depends on the condition the patient has and is assessed during the low vision evaluation.

Many patients with conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, Stargardt's macular dystrophy and others prefer lighted magnifiers to help them read. LED or halogen lights work very well to help patients read.Pocket magnifiers are smaller magnifiers that can be used for spot reading. These magnifiers need the user to hold the magnifier at the correct distance from the reading material for ease of reading.

These come in powers from 2X to 12X. These types of magnifiers generally use AAA or AA batteries as the power source.Standard magnifiers are magnifiers with larger handles allowing for C or D batteries for the light source. These magnifiers have large heads which lay flat on the reading material so that the patient does not have to move the magnifier to focus it in.

These can be used with patients who have a mild tremor as they lay on the reading material.Using the correct power of magnifier is essential for successful reading. Too low or high of a power will negatively affect the patient's ability to read fluently with a magnifier. Our doctors assess each patient for the correct magnification needed in traditional magnifiers during the low vision examination.