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Medical Forum / General / Vision / November 2006technological aids for Macular Degeneration
I have a computer customer who has asked me to get her a new computer. She is a retired attorney in her mid 70's and enjoys browsing the web, looking at investment sites, at various newspapers, etc. Macular degeneration and cataracts have begun to cause her problems reading. I wondered if folks in this newsgroup might have suggestions about technology they've found helpful. For example, I'd think a larger monitor, utilizing software that magnifies the web page (ZoomText has been recommended), might be helpful. But how big should the monitor be? Is 17" enough or should we go for the 20 or even 24" flat panel monitor? Is the wide screen monitor worthwhile or is the regular width monitor better? What other software or technologies have other macular degeneration sufferers found helpful? What about other devices, like the VideoEye type of closed circuit television camera? They're not applicable to computers but only to printed materials. But are they helpful? Any suggestions or comments appreciated. Michael > I have a computer customer who has asked me to get her a new computer. She > is a retired attorney in her mid 70's and enjoys browsing the web, looking [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > the regular width monitor better? What other software or technologies have > other macular degeneration sufferers found helpful? How much magnification she needs depends upon her corrected acuity. If she has only mild loss than nothing more than adjusting for large fonts is needed. If severe, then she may need Zoom text. If there is a low vision clinic nearby, she should schedule an appointment with them for high tech assessment. The low vision clinic will provide recommendations for software, monitors and so on. In some countries, the cost of adapting the computer may be covered. CCTV are useful for reading text if acuity is significantly reduced. Dr Judy > What about other devices, like the VideoEye type of closed circuit > television camera? They're not applicable to computers but only to printed [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Michael > How much magnification she needs depends upon her corrected acuity. If > she has only mild loss than nothing more than adjusting for large fonts > is needed. If severe, then she may need Zoom text. Don't cataracts (if that be a big part of the problem) diffuse the images where increasing the font size really does not help too much. Looking at a large E thru frosted glass is as clear as looking at a small E. Don W. > > How much magnification she needs depends upon her corrected acuity. If > > she has only mild loss than nothing more than adjusting for large fonts [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Looking at a large E thru frosted glass is as clear as looking at a > small E. Again, depends upon how bad the cataract is and the best corrected acuity. In North America, people rarely have cataracts progress to the point of "frosted glass"; surgery is usually done at about the 20/40 to 20/60 level. At that level, no aids would be needed. Dr Judy > Don't cataracts (if that be a big part of the problem) diffuse the > images where increasing the font size really does not help too much. > Looking at a large E thru frosted glass is as clear as looking at a > small E. No. Cataracts do "diffuse" or blur, or obscure the images, for sure, but increasing font ALWAYS helps. And looking at a large anything through frosted glass is ALWAYS blurrier than looking at anything, no matter what the size, without the frost. Any kind of mag helps, but getting the damned things out works the best. w.stacy, o.d. > Any kind of mag helps, but getting the damned things out works the best. > > w.stacy, o.d. Well, probably (I get the feeling) the best outcome for cataract surgery is when the cataract is early and the ARMD is early and dry. But I think the jury is still out on more advanced ARMD (i.e., wet) and the benefits then of cataract surgery. Even with dry, I think there is some reports that cataract surgery accelerates the progression of MD. Bummer. (On a clear lens I can see....). But I think the generic philosophy of "getting the damn things out" may violate the "do no harm" principle. Don W. Maybe. Taking a motor, airline, or train trip might also violate the do no harm principle as well. Life is a risk. Minimize the risk by selecting an excellent cataract surgeon rather than the guy next door. Yes, all surgery has risks, but for sure, an IOL will put a better image on your retina than your cataractous lens does. And to me, sooner is better than later because most or even all risk factors go up with age. w.stacy, o.d. > Well, probably (I get the feeling) the best outcome for cataract >surgery is when the cataract is early and the ARMD is early and dry. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > |
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