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THE MAGNIFIER - Electronic Newsletter
Issue #10, July 6, 2001
Produced by: Macular Degeneration Foundation
P.O. Box 9752, San Jose, CA 95157
http://www.eyesight.org
CONTENTS
1. BETTER VISION IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
2. INSTRUMENT FOR EARLY DETECTION
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1. BETTER VISION IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
The time has come to take a new look at an advanced technology designed to help the visually limited individual. A person who looked an electronic scanner as little as five years
ago will be more than pleased by the sophistication and many new innovations that have emerged in a short span of time.
An electronic vision-enhancing scanner is a special, tiny hand-held video camera which can magnify and
fortify print and other visual materials, making them readable and understandable to persons with certain low vision conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases.
The user moves the
device along a line of print or other material which it electronically projects onto any television screen. The turn of dial can change size, color of the text or background and in some models actually control the brightness and
contrast.
With a minimum of instruction and a little perseverance one can regain the skill and enjoyment of reading the daily paper, a favorite magazine, a good book or a letter from a loved one. The electronic scanner is
particularly suited to reading instructions on prescription bottles, food labels and even the time on a wrist watch.
Persons with macular degeneration and other visual disabilities of the macula of the eye can benefit in
several ways from a low vision electronic scanning device:
1. It spreads the viewed image over a larger area of the retina making print or other viewable material several times the size of the original material.
2. Reading material may be viewed in a black on white format or a white on black format which increases the contrast and makes reading easier.
3. It allows the user to view the reading material with both eyes. This
allows each eye to complement its mate by "filling in" missing areas.
4. Using all three of the above enhancements a scanner then allows the subject to more easily use "eccentric viewing," a skill of
directing the eye on to an area slightly to the side, slightly above or slightly below the viewed material thereby placing the reading material on a healthy area of the macular or retina.
5. Since the scanner moves
across the page from left to right , it uses the natural skill of scanning a page that persons with normal sight uses when reading.
6. It has been shown that persons with defective retinal areas can increase their reading
and comprehension abilities by moving their eyes smoothly and quickly across a line of print and mentally filling in the missing pieces. For instance, if one looks a jig-saw puzzle with missing pieces, they can still make use of
the brain to fill in and understand the picture. Psychologists call this "Gestalt." An electronic scanner allows us to add magnification and contrast to aid in this "Gestalt" technique.
Almost all persons who can move the scanner steadily, much like a mouse of a computer, will benefit from this technology.
The electronic scanner has many advantages over other closed circuit television devices.
1. It is more natural to scan a page moving the scanner over a line of print, allowing the natural hand-eye coordination skill to aid the reading skill
2. It is light weight and portable and can be carried easily
from home to office and on trips
3. It is lower in cost than most of the stationery devices and loses none of their benefits.
4. OVAC Inc. has developed an electronic scanner, the "Color Eye"
which can be attached to a stand and instantly converts to a table CCTV for hobbies such as coin and stamp collecting or viewing photographs.
Electronic scanners are available in black and white or color.
If you or a
loved one suffers from macular degeneration or other low vision condition this technology offers another opportunity to regain lost skills and experiencing the satisfaction that comes with self reliance.
Link:
http://www.ovac.com AOL Users: <a href="http://www.ovac.com">OVAC Inc.</a>
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2. INSTRUMENT FOR EARLY DETECTION
** News Release **
Gulden Introduces Portable, Easy-to-Use Eger Macular Stressometer
Patients may now receive a simple test to determine their risk for macular degeneration and other macular diseases
ELKINS PARK, PA. Gulden
Ophthalmics is proud to introduce the Eger Macular Stressometer (EMS), an instrument which can allow early diagnostic and therapy procedures by uncovering potential macular problems before they affect vision. This
unique hand-held diagnostic instrument will identify patients who are at risk and need to be carefully monitored by their eye care professional.
The Eger Macular Stressometer (EMS) provides a sensitive method for
detecting patients with a wide range of latent, sub-clinical or incipient macular disturbances even when other methods of diagnosis are negative.
The theory of operation is based on sound retinal photostress
research. The Eger Macular Stressometer fatigues the macula with a special light. A synchronized digital timer then measures and records recovery time. Until now, instruments and methods used to accomplish
bleaching and recovery time measurement were either bulky, expensive laboratory adaptometers or clinical estimates. With the Eger Macular Stressometer professionals can test patients quickly, safely and accurately in their
office in less than five minutes.
In just a few minutes the Eger Macular Stressometer can provide an assessment of macular health. Where patient recovery times are longer than normal, diligent monitoring on a
regular basis by an eyecare professional is indicated. Where recovery times are in the normal range, the device is invaluable in developing a baseline for future comparison. In the near future, it is inevitable that
this type of monitoring will become a routine part of every eye examination.
Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Researchers and other Professionals can, on request, receive professional information including pertinent
reseach references by contacting Gulden Ophthalmics at (800) 659-2250
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Note: the above information does not constitute medical advice. Only your
physician or licensed ophthalmologist can dispense medical advice based upon a complete and thorough evaluation of your specific and unique situation.
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The MAGNIFIER is sent without
charge. We hope that it will continue to serve the interests of its subscribers. Contributions to the Macular Degeneration Foundation are appreciated and may be sent to P.O. Box 9752, San Jose, CA 95157
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Subscribers who wish to cancel this newsletter may visit http://www.eyesight.org/Magnifier/magnifier.html to remove and/or change their email address. AOL Users: <a
href="http://www.eyesight.org/Magnifier/magnifier.html">Unsubscribe</a>
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