Three Top Low Tech Aids for Macular Degeneration

While there are many great high tech aids for those with macular degeneration, such as electronic magnifiers, speech to text converters, iPads, and talking cell phones, there are many simple to use low tech aids that also aid in independence for those with macular degeneration.

Talking Aids for Visually Impaired

One of my father-in-law's favorite low tech gadgets was his talking wrist watch. He lived with wet macular degeneration for over 15 years. Seeing the time on his watch wasn't working for him anymore. With the press of a button he could hear the time.

There are several lessons to be learned from this simple example. One is, each time someone with macular degeneration gives up a hobby or a task that they normally performed, there is a sense of defeat or discouragement. Many times patients with AMD can continue hobbies or tasks, but they may need to do them differently or with the help of a vision aid.

A lot of frustration can be reduced by simply providing a person with a talking gadget - such as a talking watch, a talking alarm clock, a talking scale or a talking microwave.

Large Bold Print

Another top low tech aid is one that provides large print such as large print checks, large number playing cards, or large print books. Combine large print with a magnifier and focused light for even better visibility.

Other products available in large print are large print crossword puzzles, large print games or bingo cards, and large print calendars.

Large Buttons

The third easy to use visual aid is one that provides large buttons - large number and large button phones, calculators, or TV remotes are easy to see, easy to use and inexpensive. Large button key boards make for easier typing.

Once we found a large button phone with numbers that light up, my father-in-law started calling us more often.

Find out about these and other low tech visual aids to make your life easier:

Visual Aids for Macular Degeneration to Help with Independence

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Better Health for Better Vision

WebRN-MacularDegeneration.com

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