What to know about Magnifiers for Low Vision

In low vision clinics, the most prescribed device is a handheld magnifier. Magnifiers offer the ability to conveniently and affordably enlarge the image you are looking at. They are relatively portable; often come with lighting, extra light is often helpful when dealing with low vision; and come in an array of powers.

The best way to select a magnifier is to have an examination with an optometrist or ophthalmologist who practices low vision. They will measure the vision you have, evaluate your condition and calculate the power of magnifier needed to see the desire sized images. You can find a low vision provider by asking your current eye doctor who to see or search here to locate a provider near you. The Chicago Lighthouse has Low Vision Clinic Services available at our Chicago and Glenview, Illinois Locations.

Whether prescribed or not, there are some common questions people ask about magnifiers. These are five important things to know and consider if you are buying over the counter magnifiers.

How strong can my magnifier be and why would I need a prescription?

The answer is probably stronger than you think. Many people mistakenly think that magnifiers come in a low power range. Over the counter magnifiers are often limited to lower powers 1-3X. Don’t give up if a 2x magnifier doesn’t work for you. Optical handheld magnifiers typically come in ranges from 1.25X up to 16X. Often higher powers 3X and above are not available without prescription. This is to ensure if you have a vision problem resulting in your need for very high magnification you get it addressed before buying magnifiers to mask the problem. An eye doctor practicing low vision can measure the vision you have and calculate the correct power magnifier for the things you are trying to see. You can also try the magnifier in advance of purchase when at the low vision exam, so you know you’re prescribed the correct power.

Can my magnifier be bigger?

It can be, but bigger isn’t always better. You can imagine, the ideal magnifier would allow you to see all the words on a page enlarged at once but optically this is not possible with high powered magnifiers. As a general rule, the stronger the magnifier, the smaller the lens and field of view.

Commonly sought page magnifiers can cause significant distortion in order to allow very mild magnification, and generally provide low vision users very little benefit.  You are best to purchase the lowest power magnifier to allow you to complete the task. If you want to read very fine print like medication labels, you’ll need a higher power, but the field of view will be smaller. For spot reading a smaller field of view may be suitable. If you are trying to read books a bigger field is helpful but prioritize the power you need to read before the field of view.

Do I need a magnifier with a light?

With the advent of light emitting diodes (LEDs) most magnifiers can have light incorporated without much additional cost. Even if you do not need the light on the magnifier all the time, it can be helpful in certain situations to have the feature available.

Think about reading the menu in a dimly lit restaurant. White and yellow lighting options are most commonly available. Yellow lighting can be beneficial for persons with vision loss from glaucoma and other conditions that damage the optic nerve like optic neuropathy and optic atrophy. We recommend your magnifier have a light.

Can glasses do the same thing?

This is a common question because it seems it would be more convenient to have your hands free. The short answer is yes. You can get a lens with the power of most magnifiers in a pair of glasses. These are known as spectacle magnifiers. The downside is that spectacle magnifiers often require you to hold the object you want to view very close to the eye. Most people find this more uncomfortable than the inconvenience of holding their magnifier at a comfortable viewing distance.

There are also stand magnifiers designed to stand on their own over the object. These are helpful for individuals with conditions including hand tremors and arthritis where they may be able to move the magnifier side to side when reading but get fatigued holding it over the object. Electronic magnifiers are more expensive but offer a host of benefits in terms of power, field of view and contrast if the limitations of an optical magnifier are frustrating.

Does it get easier to use?

Using a magnifier takes practice. You must hold the magnifier parallel to the object and at the correct distance for the object to be magnified and in focus. The best way we’ve found is to put the magnifier flat on what you want to see and then slowly pull it away from the object until it’s in focus hovering above what you are looking at. Pull it too far away and the object image will invert itself.

Why can't I buy online?

In short, you can. But the range of the devices and products you find online vary in quality and strength. Often times you may see magnifiers that say 10x magnification but are really 10 diopters which is another form of measurement for lenses. Diopter strength numbers will appear higher than actual magnification strength, often leading to confusion and mistrust in the items you may purchase. This leads to many returns. Also you are often guessing on what power may be best for your vision, stronger isn't always better. Having a low vision assessment with a doctor is the best way to ensure you are getting the right product while also ensuring the health and safety of your vision. 

The My Tools for Living Store has a selection of lower powered magnifiers available online, click here to learn more. Our team is here to assist you with any questions by calling (800) 919-3375. Are you local to Chicago and want to visit us in person or schedule a low vision exam to determine what devices and aids are best for you? Call 312-997-3686.