CCTV Magnifiers For Low Vision

Most people are familiar with the concept of CCTV (closed-circuit television) as a security device. However, CCTV video magnifiers can also be a great aid to low vision patients.

What are CCTV Magnifiers for Low Vision?

CCTV magnifiers provide low vision assistance for patients with symptoms stemming from conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, cataracts, and other diseases or conditions which can cause low vision.

CCTV magnifiers come with many benefits, and provide a high degree of versatility to allow the user increased independence. All quality CCTV magnifiers are designed for ease of use, with tactile buttons and turn dials to make it easy for patients with near vision difficulty to operate.

What do CCTV TV Magnifiers for Low Vision do?

CCTV magnifiers utilize a number of attributes to allow for easy positioning of the camera and viewing of an object. These include a mount arm that allows for steady and hands-free positioning, a monitor, lenses that can zoom in to magnification levels as high as 82x, and a variety of viewing modes with lighting, color, and contrast options to allow the user to select the optimal assistance for the task at hand. Additionally, many models include a viewing platform, to allow for easy positioning of an item, such as a book, to be magnified by the CCTV magnifier.

These devices allow the user to completely control the display’s focus, magnification, and other settings so that the real-time image displayed on the monitor can help them perform activities requiring that level of magnification without a delay, such as writing and other hands-on activities.

What features and options are available?

CCTV magnifiers can have a variety of both simple and advanced options, including color viewing, black and white contrast modes, split-screen monitors, scrolling while at higher magnifications, increased focus of magnification settings, and more.

There are CCTV magnifiers which are more portable, as well as more stationary desktop models.

Handheld CCTV Magnifiers: Handheld magnifiers are great for those who need vision assistance while on the move, whether for in the house tasks and activities like reading recipes, playing cards, or looking at a computer screen. These smaller magnifiers are also somewhat cheaper than large desktop models. However, being handheld devices, they have to be held while used, require charging, and may have a smaller field of view and fewer options.

Desktop CCTV Magnifiers: Desktop CCTV magnifiers have several advantages over portable magnifiers, for people who need them for reading and other tasks while at home. They are more powerful, larger (meaning they can also magnify more text at a time), and they are of course hands free and don’t require charging. They are also adjustable, so that you can properly position the device over the text or other object you need magnified. However, they are limited in their flexibility by the simple fact that they are stationary devices, so only provide magnification assistance at one location. Additionally, as larger devices, desktop CCTV magnifiers will be more expensive than their handheld counterparts.

When should I look into buying a CCTV magnifier?

When you first realize you need more vision correction than your standard eyeglasses to provide, it is time to look into other options. If you are having difficulty with tasks such as reading, shopping, creating art, or other detail-oriented work done at close distances, a CCTV magnifier might be worth considering.

How Do I Buy a CCTV Magnifier?

CCTV magnifiers can be somewhat pricey. While the prices of different brands are often comparable, doing some research to compare prices and product features is advisable.

Before making any purchase, however, it is essential to see a low vision optometrist for a full low vision evaluation. During this evaluation, the doctor will determine the state of your vision, and what would help the most to correct it and enable you to continue doing tasks that have been impacted by low vision.

This will also provide an opportunity to try out several types of low vision devices, and the doctor will be able to make a recommendation for what devices can best help you following discussions about what sorts of tasks you are having trouble with, and need assistance for.

Today, there are many CCTV magnifiers out there, so it is important to understand the available options, and the questions to ask your doctor, in order to make the right purchase for your needs.

Summary

CCTV magnifiers are a very effective versatile tool that can enable low vision patients to regain their independence and resume the tasks that have become a struggle. If you are experiencing low vision and think CCTV magnifiers could help you, contact Amplify EyeCare of Greater Long Beach at (562) 925-6591 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. Patients with low vision visit our clinic from all over California, and we are proud to be a leading provider of low vision services for patients from Bellflower, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Los Angeles.

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Testimonials

I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.

Claire A.

Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.

Jim K.

My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!

Teresa S.

The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.

Joe M.

I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.

Kayla W.

This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.

Very professional staff and pleasant.