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What devices are available?

Many useful devices (low vision aids) are available to help partially sighted people make the most of their remaining vision. These devices have special lenses or electronic systems that produce enlarged images of nearby objects. Magnifiers include spectacles, telescopes, hand or stand-alone magnifying glasses and closed-circuit television. Your eye care specialist can prescribe these devices and suggest further sources for you to contact regarding counseling, training and other special services.

Other useful devices include

• Watches and timers with large numbers.
• Special lamps to provide bright illumination for reading and close-up work.
• Large-print books, newspapers and periodicals.
• Large-print attachments for telephones.
• Talking calculators and books.

How can you compensate?

Macular degeneration (MD) creates a blind spot directly ahead of you, which cannot be moved from the center of your vision. You cannot see through it, but you can see around it. Therefore, a useful trick is to look intentionally slightly off center, a little bit away from anything you want to see. This works especially well for looking at food on your plate, watching television or recognizing someone when you meet them. For example, turn the TV on and try looking at one of its corners. You will have to experiment to find the ideal place to look in any given situation, but you will be surprised at how much vision you have.

Psychological counseling may help you deal with the depression and frustration that often accompany vision loss.

Legal protection

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities by guaranteeing equal opportunity in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. The ADA defines a person with a disability as someone who: 1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of major life activities; 2) has a record of such an impairment; or 3) is regarded as having such an impairment. Major life activities are those an average person can perform with little or no difficulty, such as walking, speaking, breathing, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, learning, caring for oneself and working.

MD is a physical disorder that can impair your vision. If you are diagnosed with the disease, you may meet one or more of the ADA criteria for disability. If you suffer from impaired vision caused by macular degeneration, the ADA can protect you from discrimination by an employer because of your impairment.

Discrimination

If you think you have suffered discrimination because of your diagnosis of macular degeneration, you should consult a lawyer who specializes in disability law to learn if you are qualified for protection under the ADA.

For  More   Information:  Please  consult  your   physician  on  your  next  visit.