1. Low vision tools and techniques for navigating school
Emily Vasile, MAT, TVI, MS, CLVT
January 10, 2018

2. About me
My vision loss
Born with a cataract in left eye that was surgically removed at two-months of age
Wore a soft contact lens in left eye for the first
Had multiple eye surgeries to correct strabismus (lazy eye) and amblyopia (double vision)
Developed secondary open angle glaucoma at age 7
Had two tubal shunts implanted into left eye, one at age 9 and the second at age 16
Had a 504 Plan throughout elementary, middle, and high school and received vision accommodations
Extended test time
Large print
Long articles photocopied on pastel colored paper
Audio books
Still struggled with reading, weekly migraines, and visual fatigue

3. Low vision
Tools for school

4. TYPES OF TOOLS AND DEVICES
OPTICAL NEAR DEVICES
OPTICAL DISTANCE DEVICES
NON-OPTICAL DEVICES
Devices for near activities like reading and writing. These devices must be prescribed by an eye doctor who specializes in low vision.
Devices for distance activities like watching a sports game, reading the chalkboard, etc. These devices must be prescribed by an eye doctor who specializes in low vision.
Devices for a variety of tasks and activities of daily living that can usually be purchased by the consumer through various vendors who specialize in low vision products.
VIDEO MAGNIFICATION
GLARE CONTROL
MAINSTREAM PRODUCTS
Electronic devices for both near and distance activities like reading, writing, viewing the chalkboard, etc. These devices can be borrowed through PaTTAN’s short-term loan program. They must be requested through the school or Intermediate Unit.
Sun lenses are colored filter lenses to block light from a glare-producing light source. Sun lenses should be recommended and ordered by a low vision therapist following a sun lens evaluation.
iOS products, such as the iPad, have great capabilities for users with low vision. There is a built-in magnifier that works well for both near and distance viewing. There are also built-in color filters, which help to reduce glare from the electronic device.

5. Optical near devices HANDHELD MAGNIFIER STAND MAGNIFIER
OPTICAL DEVICES
HANDHELD MAGNIFIER
STAND MAGNIFIER
POCKET MAGNIFIER
Handheld, pocket, and stand magnifiers are optical devices that are used for near, short-term activities like viewing a map, writing down homework, looking up a piece of information in a book, etc. Many of these devices come with a light to illuminate the text or image underneath the magnifier. Battery operated and portable.

6. Optical distance devices
Optical devices
VES OCUTECH
MAXTV
MONOCULAR
TELESCOPE
The VES Sport Ocutech and monocular telescope are optical devices that are used for distance, short-term activities like finding something on the chalkboard, spotting a friend across the playground, etc.
The MaxTV is an optical device that is used for distance, long-term activities such as watching television, viewing an assembly, watching a sports game, etc.

7. Where can I get these devices?
Optical devices
Optical devices must be prescribed by an eye care professional who specializes in low vision. In order for an eye care professional to prescribe these devices, the student must be evaluated with a clinical low vision examination.
Once they receive the device, the student should receive low vision rehabilitation from a low vision therapist, who can teach them how to properly use the device, troubleshoot any problems that may occur with the device, and how to properly clean and care for it.
These devices vary in price anywhere from $40 to a few hundred dollars.

8. HANDHELD VIDEO MAGNIFIERs
VIDEO MAGNIFICATION
Ruby xl hd
Ruby 7 hd
Amigo hd
Handheld video magnifiers are handheld electronic devices that are used for near, short-term activities like viewing a map, writing down homework, completing a short worksheet, etc. These devices have the ability to change the size of the text or image, change the text and background colors, freeze the image with an image capture feature, as well as a variety of other abilities.

9. Desktop video magnifiers
Video magnification
Topaz xl hd
Visiobook
Desktop video magnifiers are electronic devices that need to be used on a table top surface.
Desktop video magnifiers do many of the same things as handheld video magnifiers, however, they are for both near and distance long-term activities like reading a book, completing homework, viewing the chalkboard, viewing a PowerPoint from the back of the classroom, etc. These devices have the ability to change the size of the text or image, change the text and background colors, freeze the image with an image capture feature, as well as a variety of other abilities.

10. Where can I get these devices?
Video magnification
It is recommended that your child has a video magnification evaluation before you purchase just any video magnification device. The evaluation can be conducted through a low vision therapist. If your child is receiving services from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services, they may pay for the device. These devices vary in price, but are usually anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars.
Once they receive the device, the student should receive low vision rehabilitation from a low vision therapist, who can teach them how to properly use the device, troubleshoot any problems that may occur with the device, and how to properly clean and care for it.
The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) has a short-term loan program, where students can borrow certain devices for a trial period.
Contact your child’s teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI) to learn more about the short-term loan program.

11. Typoscopes & writing guides
Non-optical devices
Typoscopes and writing guides are non-optical devices that can be used to help students who have difficulty tracking a line of text or writing in a straight line. These tools come in all shapes and sizes and can be used in combination with an acetate filter (color, translucent filter) to minimize glare.

12. Bold lined paper & 20/20 pens
Non-optical devices
Bold lined paper and 20/20 pens are non-optical devices that can be used for individuals who have central vision loss and need bolder, darker lines when writing. The bold lined paper comes in a variety of colors.

13. Where can I get these devices?
Non-optical devices
Non-optical devices are usually fairly inexpensive (less than $50) and can be purchased directly by the consumer.
MaxiAids -
Independent Living Aids, LLC. -
LS&S Products -
Office supply stores

14. contact Emily vasile ADDRESS Salus University Phone 215.780.1362
8360 Old York Road
Elkins park, PA 19027
Phone

15. THANK YOU.
ANY QUESTIONS?