An estimated 750,000 Americans have diabetic macular edema (DME), a type of vision loss that can occur in people with diabetes, according to the National Eye Institute. Caused, in part, by too-high blood sugar levels, DME is the buildup of fluid in the retina — the back part of the eye that allows people to see straight ahead.
Vision loss can also take its toll on your emotional health: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cautions that people who can’t see well may choose to stop driving, reading, or traveling, and may also be more likely to develop depression later on.
The good news: If you have DME, working with an occupational therapist or low vision specialist who can help you use low vision aids — i.e., magnifying glasses and computer devices — can ease your feelings of depression and improve your quality of life, according to a study published in 2017 in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.
“In the last three to four years, technology has taken a big turn and is making major advances to help the low vision population,” says Kristen Lindeman, OTR/L, an occupational therapist and certified low vision specialist at Johns Hopkins University’s Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore.
Here are just a few devices that can help you go online, read books or medication labels, see distances, and more.
1. Closed Circuit TVs (CCTVs)
CCTVs are cameras that project a magnified image onto a computer or television screen. Some cameras are mounted on a stand (for example, next to a desktop computer), while others are handheld and can be brought to the grocery store or bank.
“With diabetic macular edema, your vision can fluctuate,” says Lindeman, “and the CCTVs can provide varying levels of magnification and contrast to help you see different-size fonts when you’re reading.”
2. Low Vision Sun-Filtered Glasses
It’s hard to overstate the importance of good lighting — but too much lighting can also impede your vision. Filtered lenses, like those from NoIR, can reduce the glare from bright light and improve your ability to discern objects from their surroundings.
3. Magnifying Glasses
Magnifying lenses can help you see objects up close, at a distance, and everywhere in between. They also come in a variety of sizes and types; Lindeman recommends buying one that is outfitted with a light. Handheld magnifiers are portable and easy to use and stand magnifiers can prop themselves up on a page or other object.
4. Smartphones and Smart Home Devices
Voice-activated personal assistants — like the iPhone’s Siri — can summon up information on command, lessening the need to read from a screen. And smart home devices, like the Amazon Echo and Google Home, can perform hundreds of tasks on your behalf: They play music, check the weather, place orders online, make a grocery list, and sync with other smart home devices like thermostats and outlets.
“The older population likes the technology because it can read books to them or play trivia with them, which helps keep them active during the day,” says Lindeman. Plus, some even have a “drop in” ability, which allows you to connect with friends or family members via their own smart home devices or with a compatible app. (Think of it as a backup emergency plan.)
Many people feel more comfortable reading large print on e-readers than books, especially in public, says Lindeman. Plus, with e-readers, you can adjust the font size and color contrast to a setting that feels comfortable for you. “Some people prefer black text on a white background, but others see better when there is white text on a black background,” she says.
Some e-readers also have voiceover, and can read the book out loud — no audiobook subscription required.
6. Head-Mounted Technology
Wearables like Jordy and eSight use head-mounted magnification technology to help people see distances, faces, the television, and more. “With these devices, there’s some training involved,” says Lindeman. “And cost can be a barrier, as they can range from $2,500 to $10,000.” To find financial assistance, she recommends contacting your state’s organization for the visually impaired; they might have funds or other resources available that you can use.