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THE MAGNIFIER - Electronic Edition
Issue #2, February 2, 2000
Produced by: Macular Degeneration Foundation
P.O. Box 9752, San Jose, CA 95157
http://www.eyesight.org
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Hint: We often provide links to on-line resources from this
newsletter. Some of our readers receive THE MAGNIFIER with email programs that do not support automatic links. If that is your situation, simply highlight the link with your mouse, copy and paste it into your
browser's address window and press enter.
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CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
1. AMSLER GRID
2. MDF Chat Room
3. TIME Magazine - New Large Print Edition
4. On-line Resource
5. Low Vision Aids
6. Internet Hints
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1. AMSLER GRID
There is a simple, yet effective tool for screening your eyes for macular degeneration. It is
called the AMSLER GRID. One such version of this grid is available on our web site at the following link. While only a qualified eyecare professional is capable of diagnosing macular degeneration, the AMSLER GRID
can help individuals to identify symptoms of the condition and seek medical advice.
Link: http://www.eyesight.org/All_About_MD/Eye_Test/eye_test.html
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2. MDF INTRODUCES ITS CHAT ROOM
World wide, people affected directly or indirectly by macular degeneration constitute a large and growing community. In an effort to facilitate open communication
among this community, we have created the MDF "Chat Room". All who have an interest in macular degeneration are welcome to participate.
The chat room will be unmonitored. So, like most
other discussion areas of this type on the internet, users are on the honor system as regards good behavior. In addition, since it is impossible at this time to know the true identity of users, no one should rely on medical
advice offered within the chat room.
With those warnings in mind, we hope the ability to communicate will benefit all who wish to share their experiences and draw strength from others who are learning to cope
with MD.
Link: http://www.eyesight.org/Chat/chat.html
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3. TIME MAGAZINE - LARGE EDITION
TIME Magazine - News Release: Dated January 24, 2000
13.5 million Americans report some sort of vision impairment and by the year 2010, when boomers have all reached 45, that number will increase to 20,000,000, according to
data collected by Lighthouse International. Time "Large Edition" is responding to a growing population of aging Americans and other adults who need to remain informed and connected with the changing world. The
editorially rich, folio size, weekly issues ship during the same week as TIME's regular edition. Time is the first newsweekly to produce a weekly large print edition.
TIME "Large Edition" features 16-point
type (as opposed to 9-point type used by most newspapers and the 10-point type used in TIME magazine). The "Large Edition" maintains the sophisticated editorial content of the regular edition with a minimum of 80%
of the regular content. "As people age, they are likely to experience some sight diminishment. Certainly I have." says Barry Seaman, TIME's special projects editor. "But vision impairment affects a
wide range of readers, young and old, who still need to keep up on the news. Our aim is to keep them current." TIME's main U.S. edition circulation is 4 million. Projected initial circulation for the new
edition is 46,000. From the matte finished paper to the integrated graphics and photos, the new issue is formatted for people with vision impairments and people on the go; it can be read more easily on Stairmasters and
through bumpy commutes.
TIME Magazine Subscriptions & Customer Service: Call: 1-800-843-8463
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4. ON-LINE RESOURCE
This is
a direct link into the National Library of Medicine's resource page for Macular Degeneration. Medical professionals will benefit from a new feature called PubMed which is accessible from this page.
Link: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/maculardegeneration.html
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5. LOW VISION AIDS
J.Bliss Imaging Systems offers PC based reading and
magnifying systems to help people with visual impairments read text from printed documents, CD-ROMs, E-mail and the Internet.
Link: http://www.jbliss.com
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6. INTERNET HINTS
Monitor Resolution
Computer monitors are getting bigger and less expensive. Most new computers come with 17" monitors
and excellent 19" monitors are available for between $350 to $500. These larger displays are a real advantage to the vision impaired. In addition, most monitors support adjustable "resolution" settings.
Resolution is measured in pixels and commonly include settings such as 640x480, 800x600 and 1024x768. The lower numerical settings produce larger text and images. The higher settings make everything smaller and
sharper. Learn how to adjust your computer's monitor resolution and determine which setting works best for you.
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The MAGNIFIER is distributed without charge. We hope that
it will continue to serve the interests of its subscribers. Contributions to Macular Degeneration Foundation are appreciated and may be sent to P.O. Box 9752, San Jose, CA 95157
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Disclaimer: 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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