The Dr. Bill Takeshita Foundation

Last Modified: Sat, 18 Aug 2007

View other Common Causes of Vision Impairment

Recommendations

• A consultation by a low vision specialist and low vision aids? can provide specific recommendations regarding devices that will improve visual function.
• Vision stimulation will provide infants with the best opportunity to maximally develop their vision. See Developing Your Child’s Vision? for more information on specific recommendations.
• Children and adults should wear tinted lenses to protect the eyes from the ultra-violet rays of the sun. Transitions photochromic lenses are very helpful for children who may have difficulty changing from indoor to outdoor glasses. The use of a hat with a dark under-surface brim is also very helpful to reduce eye discomfort from glare and bright light.

Recommendations for students

• Position students as close as possible to the chalkboard or dry erase board. Try to use bold architecture chalk or bold dry erase markers. Letters and words written 4 inches in height should be readable for students with 20/200 acuity when they sit 10 feet from the board. Colored chalk and dry erase markers are not recommended because they do not provide sufficient contrast for many students with low vision.
• Try to position students such that their backs face windows and doors.
• Students will benefit from having copies of overhead transparencies, PowerPoint presentations, and other educational material written on the board. Focusing on the chalkboard and copying the material on paper is one of the more challenging tasks for students with low vision to perform quickly.
• When making PowerPoint presentations, the use of a dark background with white or yellow text will provide the best contrast for easier reading. The use of Arial or Tahoma fonts is recommended.
• Some students may prefer to use bold felt pens along with tinted paper with bold lines to increase contrast for writing. Gel pens with 1.0 mm. Thickness are also very helpful.
• Sports such as baseball, tennis, and racquetball may be difficult sports for students to play due to their reduced clarity of sight. Soccer, basketball, swimming, and track may be alternative sports that may be more suitable for students with low vision.

Recommendations for teenagers and adults

• Computer and assistive technology can be extremely valuable for many students when working on the computer and reading for long periods of time. Electronic video magnifiers, software magnification programs, screen reading software, and scanning software can help students and adults to read, write, and access information more efficiently.
• Computer users will benefit from using a larger computer monitor, large print keyboards, and computer monitor arms to reduce neck and back strain. The background and text colors should be customized to maximize vision and eye comfort. For specific instructions on how to modify your Windows XP computer, see Solutions to Help You Use Your Computer?.

Specific recommendations:

• Reduce the ambient illumination in the room. Use desk lamps such as the OTT full spectrum desk lamp or an incandescent desk lamp with a 45-watt Reveal bulb. For more details, see Lighting and Vision.
• At work, turn off the overhead lights of the office and use a desk lamp.
• Bioptic telescopic glasses are extremely helpful to improve distance sight. In many states, bioptic glasses can be used for driving. For specific details, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles for your state.
• Specialized filters and contact lenses can reduce the severe problems with glare and bright light. Transitions photochromic lenses, NoIR filters, and mirrored lenses can simulate night conditions and improve visual function significantly.
• High power reading glasses, high power bifocal spectacles, and pocket magnifiers allow users to read small print, read books, and use the computer. The use of blue filtering tints is often very helpful for use indoors.
• Hand held telescopes, hand magnifiers, and pocket magnifiers are also helpful for reading small print for short periods of time. Dome magnifiers are helpful for young readers who are beginning to read books.
• For more information, please see Low Vision Rehabilitation