
By Patrick Dundas
In Part 1 of this article, which appeared in the July issue of L&T, author Patrick Dundas described how eyecare practitioners can serve the visual needs of the exploding age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patient population with nutritional supplements, diagnostic instruments and testing, and low vision aids such as portable video magnifiers, and desktop video magnifying systems. In Part 2, he explores the use of low vision aids such as video eyewear, optical magnifiers, magnification software and low vision friendly keyboards as well as lighting and sun filters and wireless GPS systems and readers.
VIDEO EYEWEAR

The newest eyewear product, SightMate, comes from Vuzix. Like Jordy, SightMate is worn like eyeglasses with a hand-held control unit. Focusing is button controlled with added features like freeze frame and tilt control. Optional accessories include a DVD player, magnifying mouse and hand-held video magnifier.
Video eyewear products combined with the wide selection of portable and desktop video magnifiers covered in Part 1 provide innovative new dispensing options for ECPs. These breakthrough low vision aids range in price from just under $400 for select portable units to over $3,000 for fully equipped desktop systems and everything in between. Any one of these devices can change patients’ lives, opening the door to actively pursue personal, educational and career goals.
OPTICAL MAGNIFIERS

For more demanding bioptic telescope applications, Ocutech systems use Keplerian optics to achieve a wide field-of-view with the convenience of auto-focusing in the VES-AF model. Their new VES-Sport features lightweight modern styling.
MAGNIFICATION SOFTWARE & LOW VISION FRIENDLY KEYBOARD

Ai Squared offers a 36-point large text keyboard with high contrast “black on yellow” or “white on black” characters. The top row features a start key, magnification control and several toggle enhancement keys.
For patients buying or upgrading a computer, ECPs can recommend the new Windows 7 software. It comes with a variable magnification feature driven by the plus and minus keys. With a few easy steps, it provides multiple contrast views with full screen, split screen or mouse controlled rectangular magnifier.
LIGHTING & SUN FILTERS

Specially designed lighting products, some with built-in magnifiers, are available in floor, table and portable designs. To help active mobile low vision patients who need lighting for flat surface activities, Daylight Company has come up with their portable free-standing rechargeable Freedom Battery Lamp. The convenient, 10-inch-high lamp can be carried from room to room or out into the community. Flip it open and it immediately illuminates.
Sun Filters
The importance of protecting AMD and at-risk AMD patients from harmful sunlight is well accepted and there is no shortage of styles and filters available. One supplier, NoIR Medical, specializes in disease specific recommendations, offering a selection of UV protective filters and fitover frame styles for glare control and contrast enhancement important to AMD patients. Another supplier, Live Eyewear, offers the Cocoons line of full frame UV filters and “OverRx” sunglasses as well as Cocoons SideKicks, a flip-up with a full wrap design.
GOING WIRELESS & MORE

The new Intel Reader, also available from HumanWare (See 20/20 Upfront February 2010) is a mobile hand-held device that converts print to digital text and reads it back to the user. The knfbReader features character recognition software in a multifunctional Nokia N82 cell phone. Users can take a picture of printed material and read it back aloud with the touch of a single text-to-speech button. The print can also be displayed on the phone’s screen with words highlighted as they are spoken. Both devices allow material to be stored and transferred to a computer.
Finally, here comes the newest wireless low vision friendly 9.7-inch touch screen iPad from Apple, with built-in zoom magnification, high-contrast mode and voice-over screen reader for web surfing, photos, book downloads and email with an on-screen keyboard.
LOW VISION… A REWARDING PRACTICE BUILDING OPPORTUNITY

By adding low vision services, ECPs can grow revenue from the sale of multiple devices, gain referrals from retina specialists, add grateful family members to their patient base and benefit from the satisfaction of helping visually impaired patients change their life for the better.
Patrick Dundas is a business development and marketing consultant specializing in ophthalmic markets. His company, Teamwork-Marketing, www.teamwork-marketing.com, serves clients in an advisory role, provides market research, prepares business plans and works on special projects. He can be reached at [email protected] or (909) 912-9020.