Jan 31 2022
Can a Magnifier Help Me See Better?
Summary
When you are considering a magnifier, all you really want is one that will help you see the best.
My grandmother had low vision. Lots of people tried to help by giving her different magnifiers. Unfortunately, many of those magnifiers ended up in a drawer because no one had ever checked her level of her vision to determine what type of magnifier she needed.
Basic information about magnifiers is related to strength, the size and the focus distance. There are many types of magnifiers:
- Sheet magnifier
- Stand magnifier
- Hand-held magnifier
- Magnifier with lights
- Bar magnifier
- Hands-free magnifier
- Video magnifier (large and small) with built-in camera
- Head-worn magnifiers
When you are considering a magnifier, all you really want is one that will help you see the best. They can vary in complexity and cost.
Magnifiers found at retail stores are not very strong—usually no stronger than a three powered magnifier. A stronger magnifier will be smaller than the weaker ones. Every magnifier has a certain distance that you need to hold it from the print you are wanting to enlarge. The stronger the magnifier is, the closer you need to hold it to the information you are trying to read. Video magnifiers are wonderful, but the cost can be prohibitive; for example, a desktop video magnifier can cost from $2,000 to $ 2,500 or more.
When looking for a magnifier, my advice is to start with your eye care professional. Request a low vision consultation, so that you will know what type of magnifier is best for you.
Cheri Harbour, MS, OTR/L, SCLV
Cheri Harbour, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, is an occupational therapist who provides Low Vision Rehabilitation at the North Mississippi Medical Center Retina Center in Tupelo. Cheri holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy and a graduate certificate in low vision from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. In 2014, she received her specialty certification in low vision rehabilitation from the American Association of Occupational Therapy—making her one of only two occupational therapists in Mississippi with this certification. Cheri sees patients by referral from their eye care or health care provider.
myConnection
Schedule your next appointment (in person, video or E-visit), communicate with your doctor, request prescription refills and access your test results -- just a click away.
Related Links
Eye CareTopics
Share
Call 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375) to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist. Referral is required for most appointments with the NMMC Retina Center and for Low Vision Therapy. For more information, call (662) 377-3340 during office hours.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Like this content and want to get more? Sign up for True North, the health and wellness newsletter from North Mississippi Health Services!
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Like this content and want to get more? Sign up for True North, the health and wellness newsletter from North Mississippi Health Services!
Nurse Link®
Call 1-800-882-6274 anytime to speak directly to a registered nurse and get immediate answers. Using computerized medical protocols, nurses direct callers to the most appropriate medical treatment. Our nurses are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.